A dental sealant is a simple  protective coating which is painted and sealed on your child’s back teeth. It prevents cavities from forming in the deep pits of the back teeth. This back teeth are known as the molars where children do most of their chewing. Dental sealants do stay on the teeth for years and prevent about  80% of cavities in the back molars.

How does  dental sealants work ?

The sealant is a thin plastic coating which is coated on the chewing surface ( premolars and molars) which is located at the back of the teeth. This is to prevent tooth decay. The sealant bonds into the groves and depressions of the teeth. It then forms a protective shield over the enamel of the tooth. Bushing and flossing cannot always get to the grooves of the back teeth to remove food particle  and plaques. The sealant protects these  vulnerable areas.

Does it hurt ?

The process of applying the sealant is pain free and simple. It can be done at the dentist office or even in your child’s school. Some schools have a school- based dental sealant  program which can help children who do not have regular dental visits.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends school- based sealant program  as a way of preventing cavities in children who are at risk of getting them . It’s also a way of saving money on dental restorations while keeping kids in school.

 
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