If you have learned how dental sealants can help you to avoid cavities by offering you an added barrier in areas known for collecting plaque, then you more than likely have a lot of questions. This article can give you answers to some of the questions you may find yourself having about sealant.

Are you a good candidate for sealants?

No matter what age you are and what condition your teeth are already in, the chances are good that if you went to a dentist like those at Pacific Ave Dental/Allan L. Hablutzel, DDS and asked them about sealants, they would find plenty of areas where they wanted to apply them to your teeth.

What is the process like for having sealants put on your teeth?

While it is natural to be a bit nervous about having new dental procedures done, you really don't have to be nervous about the process of having sealants applied to your teeth. The dentist will begin by cleaning your teeth and making sure they are all the way dry. Once they are dry, they will put a gel on them that has acidic properties. The gel will help to roughed up the surfaces of your teeth so the sealant will have a better surface to adhere to. The dentist will rinse the gel off, dry your teeth again, and apply the sealant to each intended tooth, making sure to get it where it is needed the most. A special dental light will then be used to harden the sealants on your teeth. Once they are hardened, you will be all done and will be able to enjoy decreased odds of cavities.

What are the side effects of having sealants put on your teeth?

While someone can always end up being allergic to just about anything, it is very rare that a person would be allergic to dental sealants. Besides this rare concern, there are no other known side effects that you need to concern yourself about.

Can you still get sealants if you already have a cavity?

If you have a very small cavity that's just starting out, then the dentist may be able to apply the sealant right over it. The sealant would then work as a small filling and protect the cavity from getting bigger. Some of the sealants dentists use are actually clear, which makes them see-through so the dentist will be able to keep an eye on the cavity and make absolutely sure it isn't growing a bit in size when you come in for checkups.