Sealants are a clear, acrylic-like material that helps shield out decay-causing bacteria from the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. It is recommended that sealants be applied to a child’s primary (baby) molars by th age of three or four years. Once the six-year molars (the first permanent back teeth) appear, it is best to apply sealants as soon as possible. As a child’s most cavity-prone years continue until the mid-teens, the premolars should also be sealed as they appear. Sealants material bonds to the chewing surface of the back teeth, forming a protective barrier covering the pits and fissures (depressions and grooves) of the chewing surfaces. Sealants are an intermediate preventive step in delaying or preventing tooth decay on these areas of back teeth.

Fluoride

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by slowing the breakdown of enamel and speeding up the natural remineralization process. Unfortunately most people assume that the fluoride they get from their toothpaste and tap water is adequate for their needs. This is not always the case.

Fluoride provides the following protection for you: