WatchDental Sealants

Why every parent should consider dental sealants for their kids

Childhood cavities show up most often on the molars, and there's a reason for it: the back teeth have natural pits and grooves across the chewing surface that a toothbrush can almost never clean thoroughly. Dental sealants close that gap with a simple, painless, brushed-on coating that lasts for years.

Watch the video to see exactly how dental sealants go on. Each tooth takes only a few minutes: it's cleaned and dried, a thin layer of liquid resin is brushed into the grooves, and a special light hardens it instantly. No drilling, no anesthesia, and no discomfort whatsoever.

The American Dental Association reports that children with sealants get significantly fewer cavities in their back teeth than children without them. That protective layer typically lasts 5–10 years and can be reapplied as needed. For most kids it ranks among the most evidence-based preventive treatments we offer, and it costs far less than treating the cavities sealants prevent.

The usual timing places sealants shortly after the first permanent molars come in (around age 6) and again when the second molars erupt (around age 12). At Brammeier Dental of Naperville, we check sealants at every checkup and let parents know if any need touching up.

Read the video transcript