Ask the Dentist
Jun 12, 2011
THEY are recommended both for adults and children with deep grooves (pits and fissures). This is a form of preventive dentistry.
With Dr. Biren Yajnik
Dear Doctor,
My dentist told me to place sealants on my teeth. What are they?
Alice
Dear Alice
THEY are recommended both for adults and children with deep grooves (pits and fissures). This is a form of preventive dentistry.
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves.
Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. The first molars usually come into the mouth when a child is about six years old.
Second molars appear at about 12. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted, before they have a chance to decay.
Applying sealants does not require drilling or removing the tooth. The process is short and easy. After the tooth is cleaned, a special gel is placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds.
The tooth is then washed and dried. Then, the sealant is painted on the tooth. The dentist or dental hygienist also may shine a light on the tooth to help harden the sealant.
It takes about a minute for the sealant to form a protective shield. As with anything new that is placed in the mouth, a child may feel the sealant with the tongue.
Sealants, however, are very thin and only fill the pits and grooves of molar teeth. A sealant can last for as long as five to 10 years. Sealants should be checked at your regular dental appointment and can be reapplied if they are no longer in place.
Sealants also keep germs and food particles out of the grooves by covering them with a safe plastic coating. Sealants and fluorides work together to prevent tooth decay.
Dear Doctor,
My dentist told me to place sealants on my teeth. What are they?
Alice
Dear Alice
THEY are recommended both for adults and children with deep grooves (pits and fissures). This is a form of preventive dentistry.
Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from tooth decay. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by keeping germs and food particles out of these grooves.
Permanent molars are the most likely to benefit from sealants. The first molars usually come into the mouth when a child is about six years old.
Second molars appear at about 12. It is best if the sealant is applied soon after the teeth have erupted, before they have a chance to decay.
Applying sealants does not require drilling or removing the tooth. The process is short and easy. After the tooth is cleaned, a special gel is placed on the chewing surface for a few seconds.
The tooth is then washed and dried. Then, the sealant is painted on the tooth. The dentist or dental hygienist also may shine a light on the tooth to help harden the sealant.
It takes about a minute for the sealant to form a protective shield. As with anything new that is placed in the mouth, a child may feel the sealant with the tongue.
Sealants, however, are very thin and only fill the pits and grooves of molar teeth. A sealant can last for as long as five to 10 years. Sealants should be checked at your regular dental appointment and can be reapplied if they are no longer in place.
Sealants also keep germs and food particles out of the grooves by covering them with a safe plastic coating. Sealants and fluorides work together to prevent tooth decay.