Children and adults can benefit from sealants in the fight against tooth decay. Highly effective in preventing decay on the biting surfaces of your chewing teeth, dental sealants are a simple procedure in which a tooth-colored acrylic “coating” is painted onto the surface of the tooth. This effectively “seals” the deep grooves, acting as a barrier and protecting enamel from plaque and acids.

Sealants protect the depressions and grooves of your teeth from food particles and plaque that brushing and flossing can’t reach.

Dental sealants are most often applied to the back teeth (premolars and molars) as these teeth have the deepest grooves. However, any tooth can benefit from dental sealants. Easy to apply, sealants take only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and can last several years before a reapplication is needed.

Sealants are not a replacement for good oral hygiene, but they do offer an extra layer of protection against tooth decay. Sealants can last for many years, but will need to be checked and replaced if they become loose or damaged.