Dental Sealants
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) to help prevent cavities. These teeth are prone to decay because their grooves and pits can trap food particles and bacteria, making them harder to clean with regular brushing. Sealants act as a barrier, covering these vulnerable areas and preventing bacteria from settling in and causing decay. The process of applying dental sealants is quick, painless, and typically done for children, but adults at risk for cavities can also benefit from them. By providing an added layer of protection, dental sealants play an important role in maintaining long-term oral health.
What is a dental sealant?
A dental sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the back teeth, or premolars and molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves, or pits and fissures, of the chewing surfaces of those molars.
How do dental sealants work?
Although thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth, toothbrush bristles cannot reach deep enough into depressions and grooves to extract all of the food and plaque that may have accumulated there. Sealants work by protecting these vulnerable areas, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids, thus preventing food particles and plaque from decaying in pits and fissures.
