With a little hi-tech help, preventing tooth decay can become even easier. You may already be aware that daily brushing and flossing are the most important weapons against the formation of plaque, the primary cause of cavities. To supplement your regular routine of brushing and flossing, we can apply a thin coat of resin material -- called a sealant -- on the top, or biting, surfaces of your teeth. This plastic coating creates a barrier between your teeth and the decay-causing bacteria that live in plaque.

As you or your children eat and drink during the day, the food in your mouth combines with bacteria to produce a sticky film called plaque that attaches on and in between tooth surfaces (tooth enamel). Plaque often is found on the chewing surfaces (grooves and pits) of the back teeth, from which it is difficult to remove by brushing and flossing alone. If plaque is not removed regularly from your teeth, it can produce acids which will attack the tooth enamel and create pits or holes (cavities) in the tooth.

This is tooth decay.Coating your teeth with a smooth plastic material makes it harder for plaque to stick to the tiny grooves on the biting surfaces of the teeth - reducing the risk of forming cavities and tooth decay.The procedure is easy and painless, and lasts for many years. The teeth are specially cleaned and prepared, the sealant is applied and a special light hardens the sealant. There is no pain and no injections necessary. An application of sealants is a preventive measure to keep teeth healthy. It is an effective way to reduce the need for fillings and more expensive treatment that may be required to repair the damage from cavities, so sealants can also save you money.