Sealants are thin plastic coatings that fill in the small grooves (fissures) located on the chewing surface of back teeth. They are highly effective in keeping food and bacteria out of these grooves, which are too small for the bristles of your toothbrush to get into and clean properly, helping prevent tooth decay. You’ll find the first permanent molars often come through at around the age of 6 or 7 and the second molars at about 11 or 12 years of age.

At Mint Dental, we strongly encourage preventative dentistry. Sealants are one of the best options available to help protect and care for children’s teeth, setting them up for fewer potential dental problems occurring later in life. They are very simple for our practitioners to apply and do not require injections or any drilling. As effective as dental sealants are for your back teeth, always remember that limiting sugary foods and drinks, brushing, flossing and drinking plenty of tap water is still just as important to prevent tooth decay and maintain good oral health.