Sealants are tooth colored resin that are placed in the grooves of the biting surfaces of back teeth. Back teeth have deep grooves and pits that are very difficult to keep clean. Plaque, which is a nearly invisible film of bacteria and food, collects in these grooves. Every time you eat, the bacteria in plaque forms acid. Without sealants, these acid attacks can cause the enamel to break down and decay. Then you have a cavity. For sealants to be most effective, it is important for us to place the sealants soon after the permanent tooth erupts. As always prevention is worth a pound of cure and will prevent decay in the grooves for years to come.
