Dental Sealants

Children can Benefit from Dental Sealants

In children, molars attract cavities like honey attracts bees. Why are the molars of young children so vulnerable to decay? There are a couple of big reasons. First, molars are used to chew food and are constantly exposed to food mixed with saliva. Second, they are located in the back of the mouth and are more difficult to clean.

Applying a dental sealant to the molars of your children when they are between the ages of 5 and 7 can protect their molars from decay. A dental sealant is a thin layer of liquid that hardens and creates a barrier between the teeth and the plaque, food particles and bacteria that collect on them and lead to decay.

Molars begin to appear in children between the ages of 5 and 7, with a second set coming in between the ages of 11 and 14. It's best to have a treatment when the molars first come in to ensure those teeth are protected.

The procedure is simple. It begins when an adhesive is applied to the teeth that are to be treated. The sealant is spread over the adhesive as a liquid. The liquid hardens, creating a protective barrier. Sealants last for about 10 years and can be reapplied if necessary.