The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The deep and varied crevices in these teeth make it easy for food particles to hide, and it can be difficult to keep these teeth clean, even with regular brushing. Your child’s dentist might recommend sealants to prevent cavities and prevent the need for more extensive dental treatments in the future.
Sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that are painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants smooth out teeth, making them easier to brush, as well as create a protective barrier, so food and bacteria cannot penetrate the tooth.
Because tooth enamel does not contain any nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require anesthetic. First, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are examined, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed. After the tooth is cleaned and dried, an acidic gel will be placed on the tooth or teeth to prepare the tooth for the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel will be rinsed off, and the sealant will be applied onto the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to harden the sealant.
Sealants can last up to ten years and require minimal care. Brushing and flossing regularly will keep them clean. Sealants can occasionally become loose, but they can easily be reapplied during a dental appointment.
Sealants can reduce tooth decay by up to 70%, and are a great way to prevent the need for expensive restorative treatment later in life.

Pediatric Dentistry
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Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral essential for proper tooth development.
Benefits of fluoride:
- Strengthens tooth enamel, by capturing minerals in saliva and forcing them into the tooth’s makeup
- Inhibits bacterial metabolism, slowing down the growth of bacteria and their reducing their acidic byproduct, which can weaken tooth enamel
- Inhibits tooth […]
Pediatric dentistry is the study, practice, teaching, and research of oral care treatments and preventions in children. It is recommended that children visit their pediatric dentist twice a year. Parents should schedule the first visit within six months of their child’s first baby tooth coming in, or by 12 months […]
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The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The deep and varied crevices in these teeth make it easy for food particles to hide, and it can be difficult to keep these teeth clean, even with regular brushing. Your child’s dentist might recommend sealants to prevent cavities and prevent the need for more extensive dental treatments in the future.
Sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that are painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants smooth out teeth, making them easier to brush, as well as create a protective barrier, so food and bacteria cannot penetrate the tooth.
Because tooth enamel does not contain any nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require anesthetic. First, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are examined, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed. After the tooth is cleaned and dried, an acidic gel will be placed on the tooth or teeth to prepare the tooth for the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel will be rinsed off, and the sealant will be applied onto the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to harden the sealant.
Sealants can last up to ten years and require minimal care. Brushing and flossing regularly will keep them clean. Sealants can occasionally become loose, but they can easily be reapplied during a dental appointment.
Sealants can reduce tooth decay by up to 70%, and are a great way to prevent the need for expensive restorative treatment later in life.
Pediatric Dentistry
Related Articles
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral essential for proper tooth development.
Benefits of fluoride:
- Strengthens tooth enamel, by capturing minerals in saliva and forcing them into the tooth’s makeup
- Inhibits bacterial metabolism, slowing down the growth of bacteria and their reducing their acidic byproduct, which can weaken tooth enamel
- Inhibits tooth […]
Sometimes, children are too fearful to receive necessary dental treatment. When this happens, conscious sedation with nitrous oxide may be recommended to help make your child’s experience of dental treatment stress-free.
Conscious sedation involves medication to help ease tension and block pain during dental treatment, and does not put you to […]
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by the recurrence of interrupted breathing during sleep and results in a chronic lack of deep, restful sleep. When adults have this disorder, they are likely to experience daytime sleepiness, but when it occurs in children, they are more likely to have behavioral issues. […]
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The most likely location for a cavity to develop in your child’s mouth is on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The deep and varied crevices in these teeth make it easy for food particles to hide, and it can be difficult to keep these teeth clean, even with regular brushing. Your child’s dentist might recommend sealants to prevent cavities and prevent the need for more extensive dental treatments in the future.
Sealants are invisible plastic resin coatings that are painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants smooth out teeth, making them easier to brush, as well as create a protective barrier, so food and bacteria cannot penetrate the tooth.
Because tooth enamel does not contain any nerves, placing a sealant is painless and does not routinely require anesthetic. First, the tooth or teeth to be sealed are examined, and if any minimal decay is found, it will be gently removed. After the tooth is cleaned and dried, an acidic gel will be placed on the tooth or teeth to prepare the tooth for the sealant. After a few seconds, the gel will be rinsed off, and the sealant will be applied onto the grooves of the tooth. A special blue light is used to harden the sealant.
Sealants can last up to ten years and require minimal care. Brushing and flossing regularly will keep them clean. Sealants can occasionally become loose, but they can easily be reapplied during a dental appointment.
Sealants can reduce tooth decay by up to 70%, and are a great way to prevent the need for expensive restorative treatment later in life.
Pediatric Dentistry
Related Articles
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral essential for proper tooth development.
Benefits of fluoride:
- Strengthens tooth enamel, by capturing minerals in saliva and forcing them into the tooth’s makeup
- Inhibits bacterial metabolism, slowing down the growth of bacteria and their reducing their acidic byproduct, which can weaken tooth enamel
- Inhibits tooth […]
Pediatric dentistry is the study, practice, teaching, and research of oral care treatments and preventions in children. It is recommended that children visit their pediatric dentist twice a year. Parents should schedule the first visit within six months of their child’s first baby tooth coming in, or by 12 months […]