Sealants are a white or colorless plastic coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of back teeth to prevent tooth decay. Sealants offer a great deal of protection against decay by acting as a protective barrier against the bacteria in plaque, the sticky, invisible film that forms constantly on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque turn the sugar and starch in your food into a destructive acid that attacks your teeth for 20 minutes or more each time you eat. Repeated attacks can break down the enamel of your teeth and cause cavities.

Frequent brushing and flossing removes much of the plaque, but there are tiny grooves called pits and fissures on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth where toothbrush bristles can't reach. When applied to the pits and fissures of teeth, sealants create a smooth, slippery barrier that prevents plaque and bacteria from entering these tiny, unreachableand therefore very vulnerableareas. Sealants literally seal out decay!

What exactly are sealants?

Because they act as a barrier to decay, sealants are a highly effective tool in our fight against tooth decay. But precisely what are sealants?

Sealants are made from a harmless, tasteless plastic material. They are quick and easy to apply, and go a long way towards preventing decay in both children and adults. The application process is completely comfortable, and can be completed in one visit.

Applying sealants

First, we clean the teeth that are going to be sealed. Then, the chewing surfaces are conditioned and dried, and the sealant material is painted onto the pits and fissures of the enamel, where it hardens and bonds to your teeth. Sometimes, we use a special, high-intensity light to help harden the sealant.

Home care with sealants

Though sealants hold up very well against day-to-day chewing, they do eventually wear out and have to be replaced. Hard or sticky candies or other abrasive foods can damage sealants and cause them to wear out faster. We'll check the condition of your sealants each time you come in for a checkup, and we'll let you know if any of them need to be replaced.

One note of cautionhaving sealants on teeth doesn't make brushing and flossing unnecessary! Daily homecare is still essential to ensure a bright, healthy smile.