Cavities can significantly impact your dental health, altering the appearance of your smile and causing discomfort or even pain. At Beckstead Dental Group, we specialize in preventive solutions that safeguard your teeth against decay, a cornerstone of the family dental care Palo Alto relies on. If you frequently face dental cavities, particularly in the hard-to-clean molars, dental sealants offer a practical and effective form of protection.
To explore how dental sealants can benefit you and your family, and to learn more about your options in Palo Alto, give us a call today. At Beckstead Dental Group, we’re ready to help you enhance and protect your smile with the latest in dental health technology and treatments.

What Causes Dental Decay?
Cavities—the most common type of dental decay—form from the buildup of bacteria on your teeth. This bacteria breaks down your tooth enamel and causes tooth decay, creating small holes in the tooth.
There are many factors that can make you more likely to get cavities. Some people are just more genetically predisposed to them. Lifestyle factors like what you eat and your oral hygiene habits can also increase your risk of getting cavities.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants are a simple preventive treatment designed to shield the grooves and depressions of your back teeth where most cavities form. By applying a thin, protective coating to the enamel of your molars, sealants block out food particles and bacteria, significantly reducing the risk of tooth decay. This treatment is quick, painless, and can be a game-changer in maintaining the oral health of both children and adults. As part of the family dental care Palo Alto needs, our team is committed to integrating advanced protective measures like sealants into our comprehensive dental services.
The Dental Sealants Process
Getting dental sealants is a quick, painless, and non-invasive procedure that can be completed during a regular dental appointment.
After a thorough cleaning of the teeth that will receive the sealants to ensure that any plaque or food debris is removed, each tooth is dried and an absorbent material like cotton is placed to keep them dry.
An acidic solution is applied to the chewing surfaces of the teeth to roughen them up slightly. This etching helps the sealant bond securely to the surface of the tooth.
After rinsing and drying the teeth again, the dentist applies the sealant (a liquid resin) directly onto the tooth’s enamel, where it fills the deep grooves and pits of the tooth surface.
The dentist uses a special curing light to harden the sealant, which only takes a few seconds per tooth.
Once cured, the sealant forms a hard, protective coating that can significantly reduce the risk of decay and extend the life of the tooth by providing a barrier against bacteria and food particles.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Sealants?
Dental sealants work for people of all ages, but they are especially helpful for kids and teens. Kids can have difficulties keeping up on their dental health, so sealants can make it easier.
Some of the benefits of dental sealants include:
- They are long-lasting: You only need to have them applied once every five years.
- The procedure is easy and pain-free: The dental sealant treatment is straightforward. It doesn’t require anesthesia and only takes around ten minutes.
- They prevent cavities: The biggest benefit of dental sealants is that they protect your teeth from tooth decay and cavities, leading to a happier smile!
If you already have fillings, dental sealants won’t work. So, It’s a good idea to get sealants as early as possible. We are happy to provide dental sealants to you or anyone in your family—including children. Reach out to Beckstead Dental Group today to learn more.

Call for an Appointment in Palo Alto!
If you get a lot of cavities, dental sealants could be a great option for you. WIth dental this preventive treatment, you can get long-lasting protection and cut down on visits to the dentist. While cavities can be painful and upsetting, dental sealants can keep your smile looking and feeling great.
If you need help preventing cavities, call Beckstead Dental Group to talk to one of our friendly dental team members. We can get you set up with an appointment at your convenience!