Dental Sealants

What are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are protective coatings dentists use to prevent tooth decay and cavities by blocking out food particles, bacteria, and germs. They are easily painted onto the tooth surface and are an essential part of preventative dental care.

Why Choose Dental Sealants?

Even with regular oral health care and hygiene, there are always areas of the teeth that are difficult to clean. Some grooves (fissures) in the teeth cannot be reached by toothbrush bristles. In these areas, food particles, bacteria, and acids can build up on the enamel and gradually cause decay.

Dental sealants form a protective barrier that shields teeth from damage. As the name suggests, sealants provide a tight seal over pits and fissures in the teeth, helping prevent small lesions from developing into cavities that require fillings.

Dental Sealants for Children

Dental sealants are often used on the permanent molars of children and adolescents, since applying them early provides long-term protection.

Sealants are one of the most effective ways to prevent cavities in children and teens. According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), school-age children without dental sealants have almost three times more cavities than those with sealants.