Many times patients have deep grooves in their teeth that can harbor bacteria. The bacteria hidden in these grooves use the food you eat to rot the tooth. An option to reduce the chance of forming cavities in your teeth are dental sealants. Dentists place sealants over deep grooves and fissures in the teeth, which allows the patient to keep their teeth cleaner. Sealants help reduce the chance that you may need fillings in the future. With proper sealants placed and great home care, patients can reduce their risk for developing cavities.
A sealant is a white or clear colored liquid. The dentist places the sealant into the deep grooves and then light cures the material to form a hard substance. Dentists commonly place sealants on children when their permanent teeth start to erupt, it helps to protect the enamel of their teeth.
