What is a Sealant?
A sealant is a clear or shaded white plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where 80% of decay happens on adult teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, thus protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth. Studies have shown that sealants can reduce tooth decay by as much as 90%. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that sealants be placed as soon as the first adult molars come in at age 6 or 7. Sealants should continue to be used as each adult molar tooth appears the mouth.
Your teeth are made up of many grooves and crevices. Bacteria love to hang out in these spaces of your teeth! Sealants are a protective coating that is placed most commonly on permanent molars in the grooves of your teeth to prevent cavities. They can be placed as soon as the permanent teeth have fully erupted, usually beginning at 6-7 yrs old.
Sealant is a plastic coating applied over the chewing surfaces of back teeth to protect them from plaque and food acids. It forms a nearly invisible barrier over teeth. This barrier protects teeth, especially the hard to reach ones, from things that cause decay. The process is painless and usually performed on children’s teeth. At times, we recommend preventative sealants for teeth that may be prone to early decay.
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.
