Treatment

Dental sealants for children

The chewing surfaces of back teeth have deep grooves that a toothbrush bristle is physically too wide to enter, and that is where the large majority of childhood cavities start. A sealant is a thin coating painted into those grooves and set with a light, so food and bacteria cannot collect in them. It takes minutes per tooth, needs no drilling and no anaesthetic, and is one of the few genuinely preventive treatments in dentistry: it stops a cavity forming rather than repairing one that already has. Timing matters. Sealants are most useful shortly after the first adult molars come through, around age six, and again for the second molars around twelve. They wear over time and are checked at each routine visit, and reapplied if they have chipped away.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Binaya Bhandari, Owner and Dental Surgeon, NMC 20701. Last updated 16 August 2026.

Dentist applying a protective dental sealant to the grooves of a child's back molars — A sealant fills the grooves where cavities usually start.

When do you need this treatment?

Your child's first adult molars have come through
Deep grooves are visible on the chewing surfaces
Your child has already had cavities in milk teeth
Brushing the very back teeth is a daily struggle

What happens during your visit?

1The tooth is cleaned and dried
2The sealant is painted into the grooves and set with a light
3The bite is checked
4Sealants are checked at each routine visit and reapplied if they wear

What happens if you leave it untreated?

Without sealants, deep grooves in a newly erupted molar are the most likely place in the whole mouth for a first cavity to appear. That is not certain to happen, but it is the single highest-risk site, and a filling there is permanent in a way a sealant is not.

What is recovery like?

None. There is no drilling and no anaesthetic, and your child can eat and drink normally as soon as the appointment finishes.

General guidance only. Your own recovery depends on your case, and the dentist treating you will tell you what to expect.

Questions you might have

Dental Sealants

At what age should sealants be applied?

Usually soon after the first adult molars come through, around age six, and again for the second molars around age twelve. Applying them while the tooth is newly erupted and still cavity-free is what makes them worthwhile.

How long do sealants last?

Often several years, but they wear and chip with normal chewing. They are checked at each routine visit and topped up where they have worn away, which is one practical reason for keeping up regular check-ups during the school years.

Do sealants replace brushing?

No. They protect the grooved chewing surfaces only. The sides of the teeth and the contacts between them still need brushing and flossing, and diet still matters, since sealants do nothing about decay starting between teeth.

Who does this