Dental Sealants
Quick, painless protection for growing smiles.
Sealants are thin, protective coatings applied to the deep grooves of back teeth, areas brushing can’t always reach. They provide a quick, comfortable, and non-invasive way to prevent cavities. This simple treatment shields vulnerable teeth from decay.
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Serena Yu, Lead Paediatric Dentist at Starlight Dental. A.B. Brown University (USA), DMD Tufts University (USA), Paediatric Dentistry NYU Langone (USA)
Why It’s Important
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Prevents Cavities
Blocks bacteria and food from settling into the tiny pits and grooves of back teeth - areas brushing can’t always reach - helping protect against early decay.
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Fast & Painless
Applied in just minutes with no drilling, needles, or discomfort. Most kids don’t even realise it’s happening!
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Long-Lasting Protection
Shields teeth for years, helping reduce the risk of cavities and the need for future fillings.
What dental sealants do
Sealants are a thin, protective coating painted onto the chewing surface of your child’s back teeth. Molars have deep grooves that are very difficult to keep completely clean with a toothbrush, and that’s exactly where most childhood cavities start. A sealant simply fills those grooves in, so there’s nowhere for plaque and food to hide. Think of it as a preventive step, not a treatment for a problem that’s already there.
How dental sealants are applied
There’s nothing to dread here. We clean and dry the tooth, apply the sealant to the chewing surface, then set it with a curing light. The whole thing takes a couple of minutes per tooth, there’s no drilling and no anaesthetic involved, and your child can eat normally straight after.
Which teeth need sealants, and at what age
Sealants go on the back molars, the teeth with the deepest grooves, where a toothbrush bristle can’t always reach and food loves to get stuck. A child generally has their full set of primary teeth by age 3. The adult molars appear at about age 6. These primary molars as well as adult molars may be sealed at any time. They’re most valuable as soon as the adult molars come in, usually around age 6 and again around age 12.
How long dental sealants last
Sealants typically hold up for a few years under normal chewing. We check them at every routine visit and top up any that have worn down or chipped, so there’s nothing extra for you to keep track of at home. They protect the grooves brushing struggles with, not the whole tooth, so regular brushing still matters just as much.
FAQs
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A few years under normal wear, checked and topped up at routine visits.
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No, there’s no drilling or anaesthetic, so most kids barely notice.
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Generally, from 3 years onwards, depending on the needs of the child. As soon as the first adult molars erupt, these also may be sealed, typically around age 6, and again around age 12.
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No, we treat any decay first. Sealants are prevention, not a fix.
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Most are tooth-coloured or clear, so they blend in with the tooth.