Dental Sealants

Brushing alone sometimes isn't enough—especially when trying to clean those tricky areas in your child's mouth. A toothbrush can't always reach into the tiny crevices and grooves on teeth. If these spots are not cleaned properly, they can become areas where tooth decay starts. Sealants offer an added layer of protection to help defend your child's teeth against decay and reduce the chance of cavities.

Dental sealants consist of a plastic material that bonds to and hardens within the deep pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of teeth. After application, these grooves are smoothed out, reducing their likelihood of trapping food and bacteria. With sealants in place, brushing is more effective in fighting decay.

Sealants are most often placed on children's teeth once their permanent molars have appeared, as a way to help prevent decay. Though it's more typical to seal adult teeth instead of baby teeth, each case is different, and the dentist will suggest sealants based on your child's needs.

Sealants usually provide protection for teeth for three to five years and often remain effective into adulthood. They only work when they stay intact, so if your child's sealants wear off or fall out, inform your dentist and arrange for a reapplication to maintain protection.