What are sealants? How do they sealants work? How long do they last?
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity free. Even if your child brushes and flosses carefully, it is difficult, sometime impossible to clean the tiny grooves and pits on certain teeth. Food and bacteria build up in these crevices placing your child in danger of tooth decay. Sealants, “seal out” food and plaque, thus reducing the amount of those things that cause tooth decay. Research shows that sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. So your child should be protected throughout the most cavity prone years. If your child has good oral hygiene and avoids biting hard objects or chewing sticky foods, sealants will last longer. Your pediatric dentist will check the sealants during routine visits and can recommend reapplication or repair when necessary.
