How Pit & Fissure Sealants Can Protect Your Child’s Teeth

Pit & Fissure Sealants are thin coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Grooves and pits in these teeth make them susceptible to cavities because they may collect food and bacteria. Sealants for the teeth are an easy and painless technique to protect young ones' teeth from decay. This article explains how Pit & Fissure Sealants work and why you should consider getting them for your child’s teeth.

Benefits of Pit & Fissure Sealants for children

Pit & Fissure Sealants act as a shield against cavities. They fill in the fissures and ridges of the teeth used for chewing, where bacteria and food may get stuck and cause decay. Patients can enjoy the benefits of Pit & Fissure Sealants for up to four years after a single application (Centers for Disease Control). Compared to other restorative dental operations, such as fillings or crowns, they are also more cost-effective.

The application of dental sealants causes no discomfort. There is no need for a drill or anesthesia, and the procedure itself takes very little time. After thoroughly cleaning and drying the teeth, the sealant substance is painted onto the tooth surfaces and hardened using a special light.

How Pit & Fissure Sealants work

When applied to teeth, Pit & Fissure sealants protect enamel against decay-causing bacteria. The sealant is a resin that, once applied, seeps into the fissures and pits of the teeth's chewing surfaces, hardening into a protective barrier.

The rear teeth (molars and premolars) are the most typical targets for dental sealants since they do most of the chewing. These teeth are more prone to cavities because they contain deep pits and grooves that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush. The dentist can place pit & fissure sealants on either primary or permanent molars. Most people get them between the ages of six and 14 when their permanent teeth have just begun to come in.

The procedure for Pit & Fissure Sealants

It is a simple and painless process. The preparation involves cleaning and drying the tooth or teeth which requires sealing. The chewing surface of the tooth is etched by using a specific gel to make it rough, which improves the sealant's ability to adhere to the tooth.

The dentist will rinse off the gel and let the tooth dry. The sealant is painted onto the tooth and then hardened with a light. The procedure is painless and non-invasive since no tooth structure has to be drilled away. With care and frequent dental checkups, sealants may protect teeth for several years.

Pit & Fissure sealants are a popular method for preventing tooth decay in children. It may provide your kid with a solid foundation for a lifetime of good oral hygiene.

Your Saraswati Dental College team is here to help! 

We are proud to be well-known pediatric dental experts in Saraswati Dental College and Hospital. We are here to help you and your child adjust to their new world of dentist visits in any way that we can. If you think it would be helpful to introduce your child to our team before their appointment, please let us know and we are happy to make that happen. You and your child are in great hands with our trusted team and don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. If you’re ready to schedule your child’s visit, let’s get started!