What age is best for sealant application?

Patient's question:

What is the best age to have dental sealants applied to a child's molars? Thank you, doctors.

Doctor's answer:

Sealants – A Great Way to Prevent Childhood Cavities



Dental caries (commonly known as "tooth decay") is a prevalent condition. Statistics show that it is not only a common and frequent oral disease but also one of the most widespread diseases among humans. The World Health Organization has classified it alongside cancer and cardiovascular diseases as one of the top three major diseases.


The chewing surfaces of molars (commonly referred to as "big teeth") are common sites for dental caries. As we all know, the chewing surfaces of molars are uneven, with some ridges called cusps. Between these cusps, there are numerous grooves and pits, which we call pits and fissures. When children first get their "big teeth," these pits and fissures are relatively deep, making them prone to accumulating cariogenic bacteria, leading to the development of dental caries. Therefore, sealing these pits and fissures to prevent bacterial invasion can effectively prevent the occurrence of dental caries. This is similar to using sealant to fill gaps.


This caries-preventive method is typically performed in a dental clinic to ensure satisfactory results. During pit and fissure sealant application, children experience no pain. As a result, its acceptability is far greater than that of dental treatments performed after the occurrence of caries. The cost is also relatively low, making it an excellent method for preventing dental caries.