Run your tongue over your back teeth and you will feel the grooves. In a child's new molars those grooves are deep, narrow, and often physically thinner than a single toothbrush bristle, which is why the chewing surfaces of molars are where most childhood cavities begin. Sealants close them off.
A thin protective resin flowed into the grooves of a molar and hardened with light, sealing out food and bacteria. No drilling and no freezing; each tooth takes about a minute and most children feel nothing more than a light brushing sensation. Sealed teeth are dramatically less likely to decay on their chewing surfaces, with protection lasting for years.
The prime windows are shortly after the first adult molars erupt around age six and the second molars around twelve, before the grooves have ever hosted decay. Baby molars with deep grooves, and cavity-prone teens and adults, can benefit as well; we recommend tooth by tooth, not by blanket policy.
Sealants protect chewing surfaces; brushing, flossing and fluoride protect everything else. Together they are why a child today can genuinely reach adulthood without a single filling, an outcome we get to celebrate regularly. We check sealants at every visit and touch them up free of drama if they wear.
New molars in the house? Seal them while they're perfect: (250) 372-2326 Contact Us
Questions, or ready to book? Call (250) 372-2326 or request an appointment online.