A sealant is a thin plastic
material placed on the chewing surface of permanent back teeth
to act as a barrier to tooth decay. The sealant bonds to the
tooth surface so that plaque bacteria cannot get into the
pits and fissures.
Fluoride
Fluoride is effective
in preventing and reversing the early signs of tooth decay.
Research has shown that it strengthens the tooth structure,
making it stronger and more resistant to acid attacks. Acid
is formed when the bacteria in plaque break down carbohydrates
in the foods we eat. Repeated acid attacks break down the
tooth, causing cavities. Fluoride also repairs, or re-mineralizes,
areas in which acid attacks have already started. Re-mineralization
reverses early decay and creates a more resistant tooth surface.
