Dental sealants are a plastic material placed on the pits and
fissures of the chewing surfaces of teeth; sealants cover up
to 90 percent of the places where decay occurs in school
children’s teeth.4
Sealants prevent tooth decay by creating
a barrier between a tooth and decay-causing bacteria.
Sealants also stop cavities from growing and can prevent
the need for expensive fillings. Sealants are 100 percent
effective if they are fully retained on the tooth.2
According
to the Surgeon General’s 2000 report on oral health,
sealants have been shown to reduce decay by more than
70 percent.1
The combination of sealants and fluoride has
the potential to nearly eliminate tooth decay in school age
children.5
Sealants are most cost-effective when provided
to children who are at highest risk for tooth decay.