Sealants May Help Protect Your Child’s Teeth From Decay

What Are Sealants?

A sealant is a clear or white acrylic-like material that bonds with the tooth to help shut out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surface of the back teeth. They form a protective barrier over the pits and fissures to prevent cavities from developing in the hard-to-clean back teeth.

Children are often better candidates than adults for this treatment because sealants can only be applied if teeth are free of decay and fillings, which is usually case with new teeth in children.

Request an appointment to find out whether you are a good candidate for sealants.

All of our services are performed by general dentists.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants are usually long-lasting if the seal remains intact. Regular checkups are necessary to make sure the sealant has not been dislodged and to reapply if needed. Hard foods such as candy and ice, or sticky foods may dislodge sealants and should be avoided.

Sealant Application

The teeth are cleaned, dried, and etched so the sealant will adhere to them. Next, the sealant is painted on and hardened with a special light. Spaces between the teeth are not painted, so your child can still floss between each tooth.

Finally, each tooth is examined to ensure the grooves are fully covered and the sealant won’t interfere with chewing. The sealant bonds to the tooth as it hardens so your child will most likely be able to eat right away.