​Tooth Sealing

At Li Dental, your children’s dental health is our number one priority. We offer many dental services designed for children, including tooth sealing. This protective coating is applied to the tooth surfaces to help prevent cavities from forming.

Tooth sealing can provide an extra preventative step that works in hand with regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups. Our tooth sealing in Etobicoke is also available for adults who are concerned about the continued health of their teeth.

What is Tooth Sealing?

Dental sealants are used to reduce the risk of tooth decay on molars and pre-molars. They are most commonly applied to school-aged children who have deeper crevices on their tooth surfaces. Sealing is important as deeper crevices can naturally collect food particles that are not as easily removed with regular brushing.

Tooth seals form a barrier between the tooth and cavity-causing bacteria. The acid produced by bacteria is strong enough to cause decay, creating holes in teeth. When tooth sealing is applied, the sealant can reach deep down into the crevices where food will tend to hide. After tooth sealing is applied, it keeps food out of crevices and in turn stops bacteria from forming.

When is Tooth Sealing Used?

As mentioned, children are the best patients for sealants, but adults can also benefit from tooth sealing. The earlier sealants are applied, the more effective they become.

Children’s molars begin to erupt by age 6 and continue until the age of 12. If teeth sealant is applied as teeth appear, they can remain cavity-free, making it an excellent option for many children. We will check your child’s teeth to determine if they have crevices that will be more prone to decay.

Sealants can also be applied over existing fillings to help prevent further decay. For adults without cavities, tooth sealing can provide an added measure of prevention, which can save you from costly dental restoration in the future.

How is Tooth Sealing Applied?

Tooth sealing is a painless treatment that can be applied very quickly. It takes just a few minutes in the chair to receive a lifetime of benefits.

Following a cleaning, we apply a gel to slightly roughen the tooth surface so that the sealant can adhere to the tooth. The gel is removed, and the tooth surface is dried. The sealant is then applied to the chewing surface to fill in all of the grooves and crevices. The sealant is sealed using a special heat lamp to complete the treatment.

Are There Any Side Effects to Tooth Sealing?

There are rarely, if ever, any side effects associated with tooth sealing. In some cases, children might complain about the after taste, but this will not last long.

How Long Does Tooth Sealing Last?

Sealants should last up to 10 years, which is ideal as children's teeth are most susceptible to cavities between the ages of 6 and 14. We will check to see how the sealants have fared at your regular dental checkups. If required, the sealants can be reapplied.