Dental Sealants in Palm Harbor, FL

Here at Palm Harbor Smiles, we believe that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We encourage our valued patients to prioritize preventive dentistry as a means of avoiding common dental problems, extensive treatments, and, ultimately, tooth loss.

We’re proud to offer sealants in Palm Harbor, FL for individuals seeking protection against cavities. Sealants are a safe, painless, and effective safeguard against dental caries. When applied to the back teeth, sealants lower the risk of cavities by up to 80 percent for the first two years and 50 percent thereafter.

What are Sealants?

Sealants are plastic coatings that are applied to the back teeth to seal off bacteria and enamel-corroding acids. The back teeth are particularly susceptible to cavities because of their deep grooves, which are often difficult to clean. Sealants form a protective barrier over these grooves and keep away cavity-causing microflora and acids.

Our dentist in Palm Harbor, FL typically recommends sealants for kids between ages 6 and 14. However, adults too can benefit from sealants. If you require sealants as an adult, you should have healthy teeth with no ongoing cavities or fillings.

Our dentist takes time to evaluate each patient to determine if they’re a suitable candidate for sealants. We rely on advanced caries detection technology, dental imaging, and our dentist’s extensive experience to assess your suitability for sealants.

How Are Sealants Applied?

Our emergency dentist near you starts by cleaning your teeth to remove all plaque, tartar, and bacteria. Next, your teeth are etched to ensure the sealant material adheres well to the teeth’ surfaces. Finally, our dentist applies the sealant material to the teeth that require treatment. The sealant application process is painless and takes only several minutes.

Once applied, sealants can protect against tooth decay for up to ten years. However, the actual lifespan rests on how well you care for your teeth. It’s imperative that you get checked by a dentist twice every year. In some cases, reapplication may be required if the dentist determines that the sealants are worn or chipped.

To learn more about sealants near you, contact Palm Harbor Smiles dental office to speak to a member of our team.