Dental Sealant Worldwide

Dental sealant is a thin, plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces ofteeth -- usually the back teeth (the premolars and molars) -- to prevent toothdecay. The sealant quickly bonds into the depressions and grooves of the teeth,forming a protective shield over the enamel of each tooth. Although thorough brushing and flossing can remove food particles and plaquefrom smooth surfaces of teeth, they cannot always get into all the nooks andcrannies of the back teeth to remove the food and plaque. Sealants protectthese vulnerable areas from tooth decay by "sealing out" plaque andfood. Who Should Get Sealants?Because of the likelihood of developing decay in the depressions and groovesof the premolars and molars, children and teenagers are candidates forsealants. However, adults without decay or fillings in their molars can alsobenefit from sealants. Typically, children should get sealants on their permanent molars andpremolars as soon as these teeth come in. In this way, the sealants can protectthe teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6 to 14. In some cases, dental sealants may also be appropriate for baby teeth, suchas when a childs baby teeth have deep depressions and grooves. Because babyteeth play such an important role in holding the correct spacing for permanentteeth, its important to keep these teeth healthy so they are not lost tooearly. How Long Do Sealants Last?Sealants can protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years, but they need tobe checked for chipping or wearing at regular dental check-ups. Your dentistcan replace sealants as necessary.