Sealants are a safe, painless, and low cost way to help protect you child’s back teeth from decay. Sealants have been used on children’s teeth for more than 30 years. A thin, plastic, tooth-colored or clear coating (sealant) is bonded to the chewing surfaces of the teeth (usually molars & premolars). This forms a hard shield that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the tooth. The chewing surfaces of the back tooth have tiny grooves that form as each tooth develops. This is where most decay occurs in children. That is because the bristles of a toothbrush can’t get down into the grooves to remove the food and bacteria that get trapped there.
Usually, the back teeth (molars & premolars) are sealed. Fluoride in toothpaste and fluoride treatments in your dental office help protect the smooth surfaces on the front teeth and on the sides of the back teeth. But only sealants can keep food and bacteria from getting into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants should be applied as soon as the first permanent molars (6 year molars) erupt. This occurs between 5-7 years of age. The second molars (12 year molars) and the premolars should be sealed as soon as they erupt, between 11-14 years of age. That’s because the greatest chance of decay occurs during the first year after the teeth erupt. However, it’s never too late to apply sealants, as long as teeth are free of decay and fillings the teeth can be sealed.
Usually, the back teeth (molars & premolars) are sealed. Fluoride in toothpaste and fluoride treatments in your dental office help protect the smooth surfaces on the front teeth and on the sides of the back teeth. But only sealants can keep food and bacteria from getting into the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Sealants should be applied as soon as the first permanent molars (6 year molars) erupt. This occurs between 5-7 years of age. The second molars (12 year molars) and the premolars should be sealed as soon as they erupt, between 11-14 years of age. That’s because the greatest chance of decay occurs during the first year after the teeth erupt. However, it’s never too late to apply sealants, as long as teeth are free of decay and fillings the teeth can be sealed.
Many ask about sealing baby teeth. The baby molars often don’t need to be sealed. However, your dentist may recommend sealing the baby molars if there is a high risk of decay. Since baby teeth are “space holders” losing baby molars due to decay can cause crowding when the permanent teeth come in.
Sealants can last for 3-5 years. If they chip or come off, they can easily be replaced, any problems can be detected and corrected at your child’s regular dental checkup. As long as the sealants are in place, decay is less likely to develop in the grooves. Parents can help the sealants last by encouraging your child not to chew on ice cubes and/or hard sticky candy. Your dentist will look at the sealants at each regular dental checkup.
Parents should seek the advice of their dental professionals for the best possible preventive dental care for their children. Helping your children grow to their adult years with the least amount of dental damage is the ultimate goal of your dental team.
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