Dental Hygiene

Dental sealants work to coat and seal the grooves and hollows, preventing even the most the harmful bacteria from building up on the tooth. The size and depth of the hollows and grooves in your child’s teeth will determine whether he or she can benefit from the application of a sealant. These sealants are typically used on the molars and premolars at the back of the mouth, as these are the teeth that most frequently develop surface irregularities. Sealants act to prevent bacteria growth that can lead to dental decay.

Evidence suggests that fissure sealants are effective in preventing caries in children and adolescents compared to no sealants. Pit and fissure sealants are a safe and effective way to prevent dental caries and should be considered as part of an overall caries-preventive strategy. Sealants usually last for many years, but your dentist will want to check them regularly to make sure that the seal is still intact. They can wear over time, and sometimes the dentist needs to add or replace some sealant to be sure that no decay can start underneath them.