Sealants and fluoride in children: the best defence against cavities

In short: sealants and fluoride are the two most effective tools to keep your child cavity-free. The sealant is a thin layer that covers the grooves of the molars where food gets trapped, and fluoride strengthens the enamel so it holds up better. Together, and with good brushing, they are an excellent defence. We’ll explain it to you.

Why are children so at risk of cavities in their molars?

Molars aren’t smooth: they have grooves and little pits on the chewing surface. Food debris and plaque build up in those nooks, and the brush, however fine it is, doesn’t always reach the bottom. That’s why most childhood cavities appear right there, in the back molars.

If you add to that the fact that little ones find it hard to brush well on their own and that they love sweets, you have the perfect scenario for cavities. The good news is that those grooves can be protected.

What is a sealant and how does it protect the tooth?

A sealant is a liquid material that is applied over the grooves of the molar and hardens to form a smooth layer. Imagine it like filling the cracks of a surface so that dirt can’t get in: the molar is left smooth on top and the brush cleans much better.

Applying it is simple and doesn’t hurt at all:

• The molar is cleaned well.
• The sealant is applied over the grooves.
• It is hardened with a special light in seconds.

There’s no drill, no injections and the child leaves the practice just as they came in. That’s why it’s one of the preventive treatments best accepted by families.

What exactly is fluoride for?

If the sealant is a physical shield, fluoride is a chemical reinforcement. Fluoride is incorporated into the enamel and makes it more resistant to the acid from bacteria; it also helps to repair the early stages of a cavity before the hole forms.

At home, fluoride comes mainly from toothpaste. The important thing is to use the right toothpaste and amount for their age, neither too much nor too little. At the practice, in addition, more concentrated fluoride varnishes can be applied at check-ups, which give extra protection to the teeth of children more prone to cavities.

Sealants or fluoride? Which one do I choose?

It’s not one or the other: the ideal is to combine them, because they protect in different ways. The sealant physically covers the grooves where fluoride and the brush don’t reach well; fluoride strengthens the whole tooth, including the smooth areas. Together they cover almost every front. And none of this replaces the basics: brushing twice a day and limiting sweet snacking.

How much does it cost? Does the PADI cover it?

Here’s some very good news for families in Bizkaia. If your child is between 7 and 15 years old, many of these care services (check-ups, sealants, fillings and more) are covered free of charge by the public children’s dental system. We tell you all about it in our guide on the PADI: free dentist for children, because it’s a very valuable form of help that’s worth taking advantage of.

At the clinic we work on children’s prevention calmly and without pressure, so the little one builds confidence from an early age. Everything we do with the youngest children can be found in paediatric dentistry.

When is it best to have the first preventive check-up?

The sooner, the better. An early first visit serves to check how the molars are coming through, to assess whether sealants are due and to teach (both children and families) how to brush well. Getting ahead is exactly what prevention is about: acting before the problem appears.

This guide is informational and does not replace a consultation or a professional diagnosis. The fluoride guidance and the indication for sealants must be assessed for each child in person.

If you’d like us to check your child’s mouth and see whether sealants would suit them, write to us from the contact page. No rush and at their own pace.