If you have visited the dentist with your kids lately, you may have heard about sealants, especially if your child’s molars have begun erupting. Hearing the word sealant--which sounds like something you put on a car--might sound a little scary, but sealants on your child’s teeth may actually be a great way to prevent cavities. Here is some information about sealants and how they can help your child’s dental health.

Sealants for Kids

A sealant is a clear coating that the dentist brushes onto a tooth. After the sealant is painted onto the tooth, a light is used to harden the sealant. The sealant protects the tooth from cavities for up to five years, although it loses its effectiveness over time. Research shows that sealants protect the tooth up to 80% in the first two years after application, and 50% of the time for the next four years after application.

Sealants for kids make a lot of sense. Even the most persistent toothbrushes are likely to miss spots on their teeth. Usually, if teeth are missed, it is usually the back molars that are skipped. In fact, molars are the teeth most likely to get a cavity. This is because the teeth are larger, and the surfaces of the molars aren’t smooth. Many molars also have deep pits or grooves that trap food easily and make it difficult to brush and floss.

Many dentists recommend that children get sealants on their back molars because those are the most likely to have tooth decay. Also, children find it difficult to brush and floss their back teeth. While sealants are not advised for children’s baby teeth, because molars are permanent teeth, sealants go a long way toward keeping your children’s teeth healthy. The longer you can protect your child’s teeth, the more likely they are to move into adolescence and adulthood with molars that are cavity-free.