Dental sealant refers to a thin coat of a plastic or resin material painted onto the teeth of school-aged children. The sealant locks out moisture and salvia that contains bacteria. Bacteria accumulates on teeth as a biofilm called plaque. Plaque causes cavities and leads to gingivitis.

Pit-and-fissure dental sealants typically protect the back teeth, including the molars and pre-molars. The chewing surfaces of the back teeth are filled with grooves (fissures) that get filled with enamel-destroying bacteria. Those fissures are challenging to get thoroughly clean, and that’s where most kids get cavities. Dental sealants keep cavities from getting started. Children are the best candidates for sealants, but grown-ups with teeth that are not decayed or filled can also have their molars protected by dental sealants. Baby teeth are also candidates for sealing.