Can sealants help to protect my childs teeth from decay?
The chewing surfaces on the back teeth develop with grooves, pits, and fissures which are impossible to keep clean. Plaque and bits of food hide there. Sealants keep out the plaque and food by forming a thin covering over the pits and fissures. Newly erupted permanent teeth are the best candidates for sealants. To place a sealant, the teeth are cleaned, then conditioned with a weak acidic solution which helps the sealant adhere to the tooth, and finally, the sealant is brushed onto the tooth enamel, and allowed to harden. Sometimes, sealants need to be reapplied after years of wear, and are checked regularly by your dentist.
