Dental Sealants

Excerpt from "Your Child's Teeth: Helpful Tips for Parents and Caregivers", by the American Dental Association:

A sealant is a material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (premolars and molars), and sometimes to deep pits and grooves of front teeth, where decay occurs most often. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth from accumulating plaque that results in acid attacks and tooth decay.

Pits and fissures are depressions and grooves in the surfaces of the teeth that often are difficult to keep clean because toothbrush bristles cannot reach into them. The sealant forms a thin covering that keeps out plaque and food and decreases the risk of tooth decay.

Sealing a tooth is fast and there is virtually no discomfort. The dentist conditions the chewing surfaces to help the sealant adhere to the tooth and then applies the sealant to the tooth enamel.

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from the decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before a reapplication is needed. Both primary and permanent teeth can benefit from sealants. Ask your dentist if sealants will help your child.

For more information on dental sealants: http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/full/139/3/380