While brushing and flossing are the best means of preventing cavities, it’s not always easy to reach every groove and depression of your teeth, especially those in the back of your mouth called molars. The good news is that dental sealants work well to protect the chewing surfaces of teeth from cavities. Not only do they help prevent cavities from forming, but can even stop early stages of decay from progressing!

What Are Dental Sealants and How Do They Work?
The chewing surfaces of molars and premolars have grooves and depressions that make them vulnerable to decay. These fissures may be deep and narrow, making them difficult to clean. Plaque accumulates in these areas, allowing bacteria to attack the enamel, resulting in tooth decay.

Dental sealants are thin plastic barriers that we place on the chewing surfaces of the permanent molars and premolars to help protect them from decay. When applied, dental sealants work to stop plaque and acid from eating away at the tooth enamel, which is how cavities begin to form.

Who Can Get Sealants?
Sealants are usually used to protect children's teeth, but they have been shown to be beneficial to adults as well. The earlier a person gets sealants, the better. Molars start appearing around age 6 and continue to erupt until a child is around 11-13 years of age.  Sealing these molars as soon as they come in can help protect them and keep them cavity-free from the start, avoiding involved treatments in the long run.