Articles

Protect Your Child's Teeth with Sealants

Have you heard about sealants for posterior teeth? Well, let me tell you about my favorite material. When a tooth is developing, deep grooves form in the biting surface of the back teeth. These grooves are called “fissures”. When two ore more fissures connect in the biting surface they form a “pit”. These areas are very small and hard to reach with the bristles of the toothbrush. Food and bacteria stay on the biting surfaces for longer periods of time, making the tooth more susceptible to decay. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by forming a barrier and sealing out plaque and food.

A sealant is a resin material that is applied to pits and fissures of the back teeth. This material is liquid and flowable at first and then it set to form a hard and smooth surface on the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier that protects the enamel from bacterial plaque in cavity prone areas. Also, many sealant materials release fluoride.

Children are much more susceptible to tooth decay than adults. When possible, sealants should be applied to children’s teeth before decay has a chance to begin.

Sealants are easy and painless for your dentist or hygienist to apply and it only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth. As long as the sealant remains intact, the sealed tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years. During your child’s regular dental visits, your dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply if necessary.

Don’t you wish we had sealants while growing up?