Dental Sealants | Welcome to Westerville Pediatric Dental

“Sealants are mostly utilized to protect 6 and 12-year permanent molars.”

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states, “A dental sealant is a protective coating that is placed into the pits and fissures of cavity-susceptible teeth that micromechanically bonds to the tooth preventing access of cavity-causing bacteria and their source of nutrients.” Therefore, a sealant barrier protects the chewing surfaces of teeth. The chewing surface is where four out of five cavities in children are found.
We believe dental sealants are extremely beneficial, and without them cavities may start in the chewing surfaces of molars that could have been prevented. Sealants protect those sneaky crevices, cracks and pits in teeth that grow bacteria. Early on, cavities are highest in first and second molars that typically erupt around age six and 12. Sealants work best when placed at the earliest age possible, but not every child will need them. Sticky food and treats feed the bacteria deep in the tooth cracks.
Sealants are like “paint” that hardens and blocks bacteria from reaching these crevices and cracks in teeth. We use fun pink sealants that once the light shines on them, they turn white. It’s fun to show children the pink “nail polish” that will fill in the grooves of their teeth so they can see what is happening.

According to the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, here are the recommendations of dental sealant application:

To protect susceptible teeth with deep and plaque-retentive pits and fissures.
To provide a physical barrier for teeth, usually molars, which are at an increased risk for cavities.
To minimize the progression of small cavities.
Children with high cavity risk factors such as:
- High frequency of sugar consumption.
- Previous cavities.
- White spot lesions and enamel defects.
- Low salivary flow.

The steps of dental sealants include:

The cavity-susceptible teeth are cleaned with a blue “jelly.”
Teeth are rinsed and dried very well.
The cool pink sealant paint is applied, and turned to a white color with the flashlight.
Teeth are rinsed, and food may be eaten immediately.
We check and maintain sealants at every check-up to make sure your child is cavity-free!

After sealants are placed:

Sealants will be as hard as they are going to be.
Your child can eat normally.
Avoid crunching down on hard candy and ice, which can chip sealant parts out.