At Cross Keys Dental, our family dentist in Berlin, NJ is committed to helping you maintain a healthy smile, starting with the protection of your molars. Your molars, the teeth located at the back of your mouth, play a crucial role in chewing but are also the most difficult to keep clean due to their rough, uneven surfaces. Food particles and bacteria love to hide in these grooves, increasing the risk of cavities. Fortunately, there’s an effective way to protect these teeth—dental sealants.

Dental sealants are a thin, plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your molars, preventing food particles and bacteria from settling into the deep grooves. By forming a protective barrier, sealants help keep your teeth safe from plaque and decay. This preventive measure can reduce the risk of developing cavities by up to 80%, making it a valuable service offered by our family dentist in Berlin, NJ. Sealants are beneficial for both children and adults, and applying them as soon as molars emerge can keep them cavity-free from the start, ultimately saving time and money in the long run.

The process of applying sealants is quick, simple, and painless. It only takes a few minutes per tooth, making it an easy addition to your dental care routine. First, the tooth to be sealed is thoroughly cleaned and dried to ensure the best adhesion. Next, an acidic gel is applied to the surface of the tooth to slightly roughen it, creating a better bonding surface for the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel is rinsed off, and the tooth is dried again. The sealant is then painted directly onto the grooves of the tooth, and a special blue light is used to harden the coating.

Once hardened, the sealant creates a smooth surface over the tooth, making it easier to brush and clean. This barrier helps protect the tooth from decay for up to 10 years, depending on your oral care habits and regular check-ups with our team. If the sealant wears down over time, it can be reapplied to continue providing protection.

At Cross Keys Dental, we recommend dental sealants as a proactive way to safeguard your oral health. By choosing sealants from our family dentist in Berlin, NJ, you can enjoy greater peace of mind knowing that your teeth have an extra layer of protection. Regular check-ups will ensure that your sealants remain in good condition, helping you maintain a bright and healthy smile for years to come. If you’re interested in learning more about dental sealants for yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team at Cross Keys Dental.