Dental Sealants

🛡️ Dental Sealants: Protecting Your Child’s Smile

What Are Dental Sealants?

A sealant is a thin, protective coating—usually made of plastic or glass ionomer—applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, premolars, and any deep grooves (called pits and fissures) in teeth. These grooves are prime spots for food, plaque, and bacteria to accumulate, making them especially vulnerable to cavities.

More than 75% of dental decay in children begins in these grooves. Sealants cover these areas, acting as a physical barrier, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface that reduces the risk of decay.

Why Sealants Are Important for Kids

Children often have difficulty brushing well, especially toward the back of the mouth.
Molars usually erupt around age 6, and they come in with deep grooves that are hard to keep clean.
As tooth decay is becoming more common in preschoolers, early intervention with sealants is critical to avoid pain, infections, and premature tooth loss.

Sealants offer a non-invasive, painless, and cost-effective way to prevent cavities before they start.

If a pediatric dentist determines a child is at higher risk for decay, additional teeth (like premolars or bicuspids) may also be sealed for extra protection.

Why We Use Glass Ionomer Sealants

At our practice, we exclusively use glass ionomer sealants for their advanced benefits:

Durable and long-lasting protection
Slow, steady fluoride release that strengthens and remineralizes enamel
Fluoride uptake by the tooth (not ingested), offering continuous protection from within

These sealants are especially effective for newly erupted teeth and provide reliable defense during the cavity-prone early years.