Tooth Sealants

At ToothTown, our number one goal is the prevention of cavities and disease for your child. In addition to proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet, one of our greatest tools for cavity prevention are dental sealants.

What are sealants?

Sealants are a thin coating that are placed in the grooves of our back teeth (molars and premolars). We like to think of them as a protective shield for the tooth.

Why are sealants beneficial?

Our back teeth (molars and premolars) have very deep grooves. Even with great brushing, grooves in the teeth can be difficult to keep clean, allowing for the accumulation of food, plaque, and bacteria, increasing the chance of cavities. The sealant “seals” these grooves, lowering the accumulation of food and plaque, which as a result, lowers the chance of decay (cavities) in these teeth.

When will my child receive sealants?

Most of the time, sealants are placed when the first permanent molars have erupted in your child’s mouth (around age 6), however, some children may benefit from sealants even on their baby teeth. During each dental exam, our doctors will discuss when sealants will be appropriate for your child.

How long do sealants last?

It depends! There are many factors that determine how long a sealant may last in your child’s mouth, such as diet, how they chew, etc. At every dental exam, we will evaluate your child’s sealants and touch them up if they appear to be chipping.

Do sealants hurt?

NO! Think of sealants like “nail polish for the tooth”. There is no drilling or numbing necessary and each one takes 1-2 minutes to place. We will show your child each step and make sure they are comfortable the entire time.

Dental sealants are thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities (tooth decay) for many years. Sealants protect the chewing surfaces from cavities by covering them with a protective shield that blocks out germs and food.