Dental Sealants
Protecting Your Smile with Dental Sealants in Dublin, OH
Keeping your teeth healthy and cavity-free starts with preventive dental care. At Schneider Family Dental in Dublin, OH, Dr. Matt Schneider and our team offer dental sealants to help protect your back teeth and maintain strong oral health for years to come.
Sealants create a barrier over the chewing surfaces of the teeth, especially the deep grooves and fissures on your first molars, second molars, and premolars, where food particles and plaque can easily hide. Even with great brushing and flossing habits, these areas can be hard to reach with a toothbrush alone. Sealants are a simple, proactive way to lower the risk of tooth decay and keep your smile healthy.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants are thin coatings made from safe, durable dental materials like composite resins. When applied to the surfaces of the teeth, sealants flow into the natural pits and fissures of your back teeth, protecting the enamel from acids and bacteria.
The American Dental Association (ADA) strongly supports the use of dental sealants, especially for children when their permanent molars first erupt, around age 6, and again around age 12. However, sealants aren’t just for kids—adults can benefit too! If you have deep grooves or a history of dental caries, sealants may be recommended as part of your preventive plan.
How Dental Sealants Help Prevent Decay
Although fluoride treatments strengthen tooth enamel, sealants provide an extra layer of protection. They cover the vulnerable surfaces of teeth, blocking out food particles and bacteria before cavities can form. Think of them as a shield that prevents acids produced by plaque from wearing down your teeth.
Applying sealants is a painless process that typically takes just one visit. After cleaning and drying the tooth, one of our skilled dental hygienists will place a special sealant material onto the tooth and cure it with a safe light. That’s it—no numbing, drilling, or discomfort needed!
When Are Sealants Recommended?
Dr. Matt Schneider often recommends fissure sealants for:
- Children with newly erupted baby teeth and permanent molars
- Teens and adults with deep grooves in their molars and premolars
- Patients with early signs of tooth decay but no cavity yet
- Patients who are at a higher risk of developing cavities due to their diet, medical history, or oral hygiene habits
Your personalized dental care plan may also include fluoride varnish alongside sealants for even stronger protection.
Benefits of Dental Sealants
Dental sealants offer a powerful line of defense against cavities, especially on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars where grooves and fissures are hardest to clean. Here’s why patients of all ages choose sealants as part of their preventive dental care:
- Protection Against Decay: Sealants create a strong physical barrier that shields your tooth enamel from plaque, acids, and food particles.
- Cost-Effective: Preventing a cavity with a sealant is far less expensive—and easier—than treating decay with fillings or more extensive dental work.
- Long-Lasting Results: With good brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dental office, sealants can protect your teeth for years to come.
- Safe Materials: We use high-quality, BPA-free dental materials that have been tested and recommended by the ADA.
At Schneider Family Dental, Dr. Matt Schneider ensures that every sealant treatment is done with precision, care, and your long-term oral health in mind.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
With proper care, including regular brushing, flossing, and visits to our dental office, sealants can last several years before needing to be reapplied. Our hygienists check your sealants at each preventive visit to ensure they’re still doing their job, protecting your tooth enamel and gums.
Protect Your Teeth with Dental Sealants
Don’t let tiny grooves turn into big problems. Dental sealants are a quick and affordable way to shield your teeth and prevent cavities before they develop. Dr. Matt Schneider and the friendly team at Schneider Family Dental are here to help you and your Dublin family enjoy strong, healthy smiles for life. Call us at 614-889-2211 to schedule an appointment!