Brushing and flossing clean the flat, easy-to-reach surfaces of your teeth well, but the pits and grooves on top of your molars and premolars are narrower than a single bristle, and food and bacteria settle into them no matter how diligent you are. That is exactly where most cavities in back teeth start.
A dental sealant closes that gap literally: we clean and dry the tooth, apply a mild etching solution so the sealant bonds tightly, then paint on a thin protective resin and harden it in seconds with a curing light. The whole process takes just a few minutes per tooth, involves no drilling and no anesthesia, and can reduce the risk of cavities on treated teeth by around 80 percent.
Sealants are especially valuable for kids and teens as soon as their adult molars come in, typically between ages six and fourteen, since a newly erupted tooth's grooves are deepest and most vulnerable before enamel has had time to strengthen. But sealants are not just for children. Adults with deep grooves, a history of cavities, or molars that have stayed decay-free so far can benefit just as much, since sealants are purely preventive and do not require an existing cavity to justify them, unlike a filling.
With good care, a sealant can last up to ten years, and if one ever chips or wears down, reapplying it is quick and simple. If you want to know whether sealants make sense for you or your child, we are happy to take a look at your next visit.
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