Cavities - Dental decay

For years, Americans have benefited from water fluoridation which has reduced the incidence of tooth cavities and dental decay in millions.  By brushing regularly and using dental floss on a regular basis also reduces dental decay. 

Because cavities are most likely to form in the crevices between teeth and on the chewing surfaces of your molars, we encourage our patients – especially our younger patients to take additional preventive steps. 

One of the best preventive steps to prevent cavities is to paint a plastic sealant onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth. The sealant application process is quick, painless and easy.  Many studies and our own experience demonstrate that these plastic sealants significantly reduce the incidence of cavities – by as much as 90% to 100%.

Dr. Jamie Sands and Dr. Jason Sands prefer to place sealants on your children’s back teeth when their first adult back teeth come in usually around ages six or seven.  We also like to continue to put sealants on new adult molars as they come in.  Usually, all teeth are in and sealed by the time your child becomes a teenager.