Fissure Sealants
Fissure sealants are a simple and painless way of protecting children's back teeth from tooth decay. It's a plastic coating which covers the chewing surfaces of their first adult back teeth. The sealant helps prevent food and bacteria from getting into the tiny grooves in the teeth.
Sealants should be placed when first permanent molars come in.
Application of sealants only takes a few minutes per tooth. The tooth is cleaned and prepared with a special solution. It is then dried with air, liquid applied and then set hard with a special light. They can wear over time and so need to be checked at their regular dental visits. Sealants are only one part of a child's preventative care.
Children's teeth should still be brushed twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. Their diet should also be monitored and sugary food and drink kept to a minimum.