Brushing, flossing and regular professional teeth cleanings are some of the best ways to avoid tooth decay and cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every hidden corner of your mouth. This is particularly true for the back teeth which have rough, uneven surfaces that often become home to food particles, plaque and bacteria.
Dental sealants are a thin coat of plastic material that is applied to the rough surface of the molars to smooth them out. They can be thought of as raincoats for the surface of the teeth as they keep bacteria and food particles from sticking in the grooves and fissures of the teeth. Sealants can prevent the occurrence of cavities. Both children and adults can benefit from the protection offered by dental sealants, but it is better to get them earlier when the first and second molars erupt between the ages of six and 12 years. Sealing the surface of the back teeth as soon as they erupt can help keep them free of cavities from the very beginning.
The application of dental sealants is a quick and painless procedure that involves cleaning and drying the teeth and application of an acidic gel to roughen the tooth surface. The gel is rinsed off, and the sealant material is painted onto the tooth surface. A special dental curing light is used to help the sealant harden. Sealants can also be used over teeth that are showing initial signs of cavities to prevent further decay and damage.
