Preventing dental problems
This increased susceptibility is often related to the anatomy (shape features) of the tooth. And in these instances dental sealants can prove a valuable aid in helping to prevent the decay process from starting. Some back teeth, especially molars, can be difficult for a person to clean because the grooves in the chewing portion of these teeth (the "pits and fissures") are deep and narrow.
Even though the person brushes they are not able to clean dental plaque off effectively because the bristles of their toothbrush are literally too large to scrub the depths of these pits and grooves. Because some plaque perpetually remains, tooth decay can form.
A solution for this situation can be the placement of dental sealants. When a dentist bonds plastic sealant into and over the grooves of a tooth the net result is that the surface of the tooth is somewhat flatter and smoother. There are no longer any places on the chewing portion of the tooth that the bristles of a toothbrush can't reach and clean. Since plaque can be removed more easily and effectively, there is much less chance that decay will start.
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