Protective Dental Sealants

Tooth decay often occurs on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Even a toothbrush bristle is too big to reach inside a groove in the tooth. The good news is that sealants can help protect these surfaces from tooth decay and improve your chances to stay filling-free. Dental sealants are applied to the grooves and pits of the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars) to protect them from tooth decay.

Sealants are applied quickly and are non-invasive. Your child’s teeth and cleaned and the chewing surfaces are prepared to help the sealant stick by applying a special blue “shampoo”. Once the teeth are rinsed clean, the sealant is painted onto the chewing surfaces where it bonds to the teeth and hardens with the aid of a special light. The material flows into the pits and grooves of the teeth where a toothbrush bristle could not normally reach. It only takes a few minutes to protect each tooth with a sealant.

Once your teeth are protected, food and plaque cannot get in. The sealants forms a barrier against acid attacks. They are effective at protecting your child’s teeth for years to come. Sealants are recommended for all children to protect both their 6-year-old molars and 12-year-old molars.