What are sealants?
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where four out of five cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth.
Sealants are a thin, plastic coating painted and bonded on to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are a good way of protecting the biting surface of a tooth from ever getting a cavity. Our back teeth, called molars and premolars, have very deep grooves where food, bacteria, plaque and sugars can get stuck. The sealant protects this groove so the sugars won’t break down the hard surface of the tooth and form a cavity. Getting sealants put on is simple and painless. They are painted on as a liquid and hardened with a special light. We use a tinted white sealant so they blend with your child’s teeth yet can be checked at your child’s recall visit. Sealants generally last for several years and they have been proven to be successful at reducing cavities in children for over 20 years. But remember, Sealants are only as good as your child’s brushing and diet. Sealants are an aid just like fluoride, it helps prevent decay. If your child doesn’t brush or has a poor diet, he/she can get
Sealants are a resin material that is placed on the chewing surfaces, which acts as a barrier against decay. Typically, posterior (back) teeth have deep pits and grooves that are impossible to keep clean. Bristles of a toothbrush cannot reach them. As you eat, food and bacteria get stuck and settle into these grooves. The bacteria then produce a harmful acid which in turn causes cavities. The resin material that is used in our office is white and also releases fluoride to the tooth. Sealants are an easy and painless procedure.
