Dental Sealants for Kids: Prevent Cavities Before They Start

What if you could prevent most cavities before they happen? It sounds too good to be true, but that’s exactly what dental sealants do. This quick, painless treatment can prevent up to 80% of cavities in the teeth most likely to develop them.

Despite being one of the most effective preventive treatments available, many parents haven’t heard of sealants or aren’t sure if their child needs them. This guide from the pediatric dentists at myPediaClinic in Dubai explains what sealants are, how they work, and why they’re such a smart investment in your child’s dental health.

What Are Dental Sealants?

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars and premolars). Think of them like a raincoat for your teeth—they create a barrier that keeps out food, bacteria, and acid that cause cavities.

How Sealants Work

The chewing surfaces of molars have deep grooves and pits—perfect hiding spots for bacteria and food particles. Even thorough brushing often can’t reach the bottom of these grooves, which is why molars are where most childhood cavities develop.

Sealants fill in these grooves, creating a smooth surface that:

• Doesn’t trap food or bacteria
• Is easy to clean with a toothbrush
• Blocks acids from attacking the enamel

Why Are Sealants So Effective?

The numbers speak for themselves:

• 80% reduction: Sealants prevent about 80% of cavities in molars for the first 2 years after application
• 50% reduction: They continue to protect against about 50% of cavities for up to 4 years
• Long-lasting: Sealants can last up to 9 years with proper care
• Cost-effective: Sealants cost a fraction of what fillings cost—preventing cavities saves money

Given that most cavities in children occur on the chewing surfaces of molars, sealants target protection exactly where it’s needed most.

Which Teeth Get Sealants?

First Permanent Molars (6-Year Molars)

These molars emerge around age 6, behind the baby teeth. They’re the first permanent teeth to come in and don’t replace any baby teeth. They’re highly vulnerable to decay because they appear when children are still developing brushing skills.

Second Permanent Molars (12-Year Molars)

These emerge around age 12, behind the first molars. Sealants should be applied soon after they fully erupt.

Premolars

The teeth between canines and molars may also benefit from sealants if they have deep grooves.

Baby Molars

In children at high risk for cavities, sealants can also be applied to baby molars to protect them until they’re replaced by permanent teeth.

When Should Children Get Sealants?

Timing is important—sealants should be applied as soon as possible after molars erupt, before cavities have a chance to start:

• First molars: Around age 6-7, as soon as they fully emerge
• Second molars: Around age 11-13, as soon as they fully emerge
• Premolars: As recommended by your dentist based on cavity risk

The key is getting sealants on while teeth are still cavity-free. You can’t seal a tooth that already has decay.

The Sealant Application Process

Applying sealants is quick, painless, and doesn’t require drilling or numbing.

Step 1: Cleaning

The tooth is thoroughly cleaned to remove any plaque or food particles.

Step 2: Drying

The tooth is dried and kept dry (usually with cotton or a small device).

Step 3: Conditioning

A mild acidic solution is applied to roughen the tooth surface slightly, helping the sealant bond better. This is rinsed off and the tooth is dried again.

Step 4: Applying Sealant

The liquid sealant is painted onto the tooth surface, flowing into the grooves and pits.

Step 5: Curing

A special blue light hardens the sealant, bonding it to the tooth. This takes about 20 seconds per tooth.

Step 6: Check

The dentist checks the bite and ensures the sealant is smooth and properly placed.

Total time: Only a few minutes per tooth. The entire process for all molars usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Do Sealants Replace Brushing and Flossing?

No. Sealants are an additional layer of protection, not a substitute for good oral hygiene.

Your child still needs to:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss daily
• Limit sugary foods and drinks
• Visit the dentist regularly

Sealants protect the chewing surfaces, but the sides of teeth (where teeth touch each other) can still get cavities if not cleaned properly. Flossing is essential for those areas.

Are Dental Sealants Safe?

Yes. Dental sealants have been used for over 50 years with an excellent safety record. They’re recommended by:

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

What About BPA?

You may have heard concerns about BPA (bisphenol A) in sealants. While sealants are made from resins that contain small amounts of BPA-related compounds, the exposure is:

• Extremely small—less than what you’d get from handling a receipt
• Brief—exposure drops to undetectable levels within hours
• Far outweighed by the benefits of preventing cavities

Major dental and health organizations have reviewed the research and continue to strongly recommend sealants.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

Sealants are durable but not permanent:

• They can last up to 9 years with good care
• Average lifespan is about 5-7 years
• They may chip or wear over time
• Your dentist checks them at each visit and can reapply if needed

What Affects Sealant Longevity?

• Chewing habits (grinding, chewing hard foods)
• How well the tooth was dried during application
• Oral hygiene
• Individual factors

Even if a sealant doesn’t last the full 9 years, the years of protection it provides during cavity-prone childhood are valuable.

What If My Child Already Has Cavities?

Sealants can only be applied to teeth that don’t already have cavities or fillings. If your child has cavities in some molars:

• Those teeth will need fillings
• Remaining cavity-free molars can and should still receive sealants
• Future molars (like second molars when they come in) can be sealed

It’s never too late to protect teeth that are still healthy.

Who Should Get Sealants?

The short answer: most children. Sealants are especially recommended for:

• All children when permanent molars come in (ages 6 and 12)
• Children with deep grooves in their teeth
• Children at higher cavity risk (history of cavities, poor oral hygiene, high-sugar diet)
• Children with special needs who may have difficulty brushing effectively

Adults Can Get Sealants Too

Adults without decay or fillings in their molars can also benefit from sealants, though they’re most commonly applied in childhood.

Cost and Insurance

Sealants are one of the most cost-effective dental treatments available:

• Sealant cost: Significantly less than a filling
• Filling cost: Much higher, plus the tooth is never the same after being drilled
• Long-term savings: Preventing cavities means avoiding fillings, crowns, or more extensive treatment

Many dental insurance plans cover sealants for children, recognizing their preventive value. Check with your insurance provider for specifics.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Sealants

Do sealants hurt?

Not at all. The application is completely painless—no drilling, no needles, no discomfort. Children can watch a video or relax during the quick procedure.

Can my child eat right after getting sealants?

Yes. Once the sealant is hardened with the curing light, it’s immediately effective. There are no eating restrictions afterward.

Will sealants change how my child’s teeth feel?

Your child may feel a slight difference for a day or two as they get used to the smooth surface, but this is minimal and temporary.

What if a sealant falls off?

Sealants can chip or fall off over time. That’s why they’re checked at every dental visit. If a sealant is damaged, it can be easily reapplied.

Can sealants trap decay underneath?

When applied correctly to a cavity-free tooth, this isn’t a concern. Dentists carefully examine teeth before sealing them. Research shows that even small amounts of bacteria sealed beneath sealants don’t cause cavity progression because they’re cut off from their food supply.

Are sealants only for kids?

No. Adults can benefit too, especially if they have deep grooves and no existing decay or fillings in their molars. However, they’re most commonly applied to children’s newly erupted permanent teeth.

Do sealants contain mercury?

No. Dental sealants are made of resin (plastic) material. They do not contain mercury or metal. You may be thinking of amalgam (silver) fillings, which are a completely different material.

Can teeth with sealants still get cavities?

Sealants protect the chewing surfaces but not the sides of teeth. Cavities can still form between teeth if flossing is neglected, or on other surfaces. Sealants are part of prevention, not a complete solution.

What if my child is anxious about dental procedures?

Sealant application is one of the easiest procedures for anxious children because it doesn’t involve any drilling or discomfort. It’s a good “first procedure” to help children build positive dental experiences.

Should baby teeth get sealants?

In some cases, yes—especially for children at high risk for cavities. Baby molars don’t fall out until ages 10-12, so protecting them is worthwhile.

How often should sealants be checked?

Your dentist will check sealants at every regular checkup (typically every 6 months). They’ll reapply if any sealants have chipped or worn away.

Protect Your Child’s Teeth with Sealants

Dental sealants are one of the smartest preventive measures you can take for your child’s oral health. Quick, painless, and highly effective, they protect the teeth most vulnerable to decay during the cavity-prone childhood years.

At myPediaClinic’s pediatric dental clinic, we apply sealants as part of our preventive care approach. We’ll assess your child’s teeth, recommend which should be sealed, and make the process easy and comfortable.

Don’t wait for cavities to happen—prevent them. Book an appointment to discuss sealants for your child today.