The chewing surfaces of your molars are different from the teeth in the rest of the mouth because they are meant to bear the most significant force load while eating. To handle this heavy chewing, they have deep grooves — grooves that have a tendency to hold onto food long after you eat it. This is why we may recommend dental sealants to help prevent tooth decay in your hardest-working teeth.
Sealants are a clear, thin layer of plastic that are painted on to the chewing surfaces of your teeth. This thin film smooths the surface of these teeth making it more difficult for food particles, plaque, or other detritus to get stuck in the grooves. Sealants are always recommended for children as soon as their permanent molars come in, but they are also effective for adults. Young or old, we will check the effectiveness of your sealants at every regular examination.