Tooth Sealants

Dental Sealant give your teeth extra protection against decay and help prevent cavities. Dental sealants are thin plastic resin coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth from cavities, or tooth decay. Because they have small pits and grooves, these surfaces are rough and uneven. Food and germs can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there for a long time because toothbrush bristles cannot brush them away. Tooth sealants fill in the grooves and keep the food out.

Children should get Dental sealant on their permanent molars (back teeth) as soon as they come in, before decay attacks the teeth. The first molars come into the mouth when children are about 6 years old, and the second molars appear when children are about 12 years old. Sealants can be put on in a dental office, a community dental clinic, or in a school sealant program.

Applying sealants is simple and painless. They are painted on as a liquid and quickly harden to form a shield over the tooth.

Sealants typically last from two to five years, but it is fairly common to see adults with sealants still intact. Again it depends on how well you maintain oral hygiene. For a dental sealant to provide protection, it has to be in intact and not broken. So if your tooth sealants come off, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with your dentist for your teeth to be re-sealed.

dental X-rays

FAQ’sQUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Is sealing a tooth better than filling the cavity?

Tooth Sealants are a quick, easy, and painless way to prevent cavities. A tooth without a cavity is stronger and healthier than a tooth with a filling or untreated decay. Sealants are also less expensive and easier to apply than fillings. Dental cavities are one of the most common chronic conditions among children and teens. Left untreated, cavities can cause pain and infection and problems in eating, speaking, and learning. Sealants are an extremely effective yet underutilized shield that protects children’s teeth from cavities.

When can my child get tooth sealants?

Sealants prevent most cavities when applied soon after permanent molars come into the mouth (around age 6 for 1st molars and age 12 for 2nd molars).

Will it hurt to get a dental sealant?

Getting a dental sealant is easy and does not hurt. The tooth is cleaned and a gel may be placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds. The tooth is then rinsed and dried. Next, the sealant is painted on the tooth. Usually, you cannot see a sealant when a child talks or smiles.

How long will sealants last?

Sealants have shown to still work 9 years after placement. However, sometimes they do fall off, so they should be checked at regular dental appointments. If a tooth loses a sealant, the protective shield is gone and the tooth can get a cavity. Missing sealants are easy to replace.