Who
should get sealants?
Children
should get sealants on their permanent molars as
soon as the teeth come in -- before decay attacks
the teeth.
The
first permanent molars -- called "6 year molars"-- come
in between the ages of 5 and 7.
The
second permanent molars --"12 year molars"-- come in
when a child is between 11 and 14 years old.
The
other teeth with pits and grooves -- called "premolars"
or "bicuspids"-- right in front of the molars, also
may need to be sealed.
Teenagers
and young adults without decay or fillings in their
molars also may get sealants.
Should
sealants also be put on baby teeth?
Your
dentist might think it is a good idea, especially if
your child's baby teeth have deep pits and grooves.
Baby
teeth play an important role in holding the correct
spacing for permanent teeth -- so it is important to
keep baby teeth healthy so they don't fall out early.
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