The premolar and molar teeth are the largest teeth in the mouth and have grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces. These grooves can be deep and a prime place for plaque and acid to build up and cause cavities. It’s for this reason many dentists recommend coating the surface of teeth especially in children. A sealant creates a smooth surface to act as a barricade protecting it from decay.
Applying a sealant is quick and easy procedure that lasts five to ten years. Thorough brushing and flossing helps remove food particles from the smooth surfaces of teeth but toothbrushes can’t reach all the way down into the depressions and grooves to extract all the food and plaque. While fluoride helps protect all the surfaces of the teeth. Fissure sealants add extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas.
By Dr. Lynette Lim
