A winter coat protects you from cold temperatures; a raincoat from a downpour. Dental sealants are like coats, protecting your child’s teeth from harsh elements and decay. Here’s how.

Dental sealants fill in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth with a thin, plastic-like coating. We usually apply them to permanent molars (back teeth) soon after they erupt to prevent bacteria and food from getting stuck in the creases.

The application process is easy and painless. We simply “paint” the sealants on a clean, dry tooth surface and then harden it with a special light. We can do this in one office visit. Your child can return to school and eat normally shortly after the sealant has hardened.

Sealants are virtually invisible and an important part of a child’s preventive dental care. Once applied, a sealant can help prevent tooth decay for 5 to 10 years.