Dental Sealants in Iowa City
Kids will always be kids. So when kids brush their teeth, they may not remove all bacteria and food
particles. Grooves in premolars and molars are narrow, which makes them hard to clean and perfect places
for plaque to build up. Dental sealants add an extra layer of protection over deep grooves to keep out
food, bacteria, and plaque.
What are dental sealants? They are thin plastic coatings that are painted on the surfaces of teeth to
protect the enamel from plaque and decay. Plaque is produced on the teeth when starch and sugar
particles (from food) mix with bacteria. Acids in the plaque can erode the tooth enamel and create a
cavity.
Dental sealants are not just for kids. Babies and even adults with a high risk of tooth decay can have
sealants done to prevent tooth loss. And because dental sealants are a preventive dentistry treatment,
most dental insurance plans cover them.
Parents who do not have dental insurance should still consider paying for dental sealants to give them
and their kids extra protection from cavities. A dental sealant treatment can cost less than dental
restorations to fix cavities.
To apply a dental sealant, a dentist cleans and dries the tooth. The dentist then applies an acidic gel
to roughen up the tooth’s surface so the dental sealant can stick to the tooth. The dentist then applies
the sealant to the tooth and uses a laser, or UV light, to harden it.
Dental sealants can help protect teeth for up to ten years. A dentist can monitor a child’s teeth during
annual check-ups in case the sealants need to be redone sooner.
If you would like to learn more about dental sealants for you or your child, please call our office to
make an appointment with the dentist who will answer all your questions and get you and your child on
the road to better oral health.