Dental sealants help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Adults do not usually receive sealants because by the time a person reaches adulthood, they have ingested enough fluoride to help prevent cavities through water, toothpaste, and foods. Children are at a higher risk for cavities, and sealants have been shown to be highly effective in combating tooth decay.
A dental sealant provides a barrier against food and plaque. It is simply a protective coating that is applied to the grooves of the premolars and molars, the usual locations where cavities are found.