Fissure Sealants for Kids in Tamworth

Fissure sealants are a thin, tooth-coloured coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth to keep out food and bacteria. At Oasis Smiles Dental, at Northgate Shopping Centre in North Tamworth, we place sealants for children as part of their regular dental care, and we accept the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for eligible kids.

The chewing surfaces of molars and premolars aren't smooth. They have tiny pits and grooves that help grind food but are too narrow for toothbrush bristles to reach. Plaque builds up in these fissures, and the acid it produces attacks the enamel. That is why most childhood cavities start on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, even in children who brush well. Newly erupted permanent molars are especially vulnerable because their enamel is still softer than adult enamel.

How Fissure Sealants Are Applied

1. Clean and dry. We clean the chewing surface and keep it dry.
2. Condition. A mild conditioning solution helps the sealant bond, then it is rinsed off and the tooth is dried again.
3. Seal. The liquid sealant is painted on and flows into the pits and grooves.
4. Set. A curing light sets the sealant hard in seconds, leaving a smooth surface that is easier to brush.

It takes only a few minutes per tooth, with no drilling and no injections, which makes sealants a good first treatment for children who are nervous about the dentist.

Why Are Fissure Sealants a Good Idea?

• Protective: sealants seal the deep grooves where most childhood cavities start
• Quick: the application takes only a few minutes per tooth
• No drilling or injections: the tooth is cleaned and the sealant painted on
• Cost-effective: preventing a cavity usually costs far less than treating one later
• Durable: sealants can protect teeth for several years, and we check them at each check-up

Aftercare

Your child can eat and drink straight away. Keep brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and limit sticky and sugary snacks, because sealants protect the chewing surfaces but not the sides of the teeth. Avoid chewing ice or hard lollies, which can chip a sealant. At each check-up and clean, we check the sealants are intact and repair or reapply them if needed.