Preventing a cavity is easier than fixing one

Children's teeth, especially the new back molars, decay quickly when sugar and plaque stay on them. Two simple dental treatments help reduce that risk: fluoride varnish and fissure sealants. Neither needs a drill, and both are quick.

Fluoride varnish strengthens enamel; sealants cover deep grooves

Fluoride varnish

What it is: A thin, sticky coating of fluoride painted on the teeth. It helps strengthen enamel and can help reverse very early damage.

How it works: Fluoride is taken up by enamel and makes it more resistant to acid from plaque bacteria.

What to expect:

  • It takes only a few minutes.
  • Teeth may look slightly yellow for a few hours.
  • Your child should avoid hot drinks and hard food for a short while afterwards, as the dentist advises.
  • It is usually repeated at intervals, based on your child's cavity risk.

Who it suits: Children from the time their first teeth appear, especially those who snack often, have had cavities, or have braces. Your dentist will recommend how often.

Fissure sealants

What they are: A thin plastic coating painted on the chewing surface of back teeth. It fills the deep grooves (fissures) where food and bacteria hide and where a toothbrush cannot reach.

What to expect:

  • The tooth is cleaned and dried.
  • The sealant is painted on and set with a light.
  • There is no drilling and normally no need for numbing.
  • It takes a few minutes per tooth.

Who it suits: Children as their permanent molars come in, around ages 6 and 12, and baby molars with deep grooves when advised.

Good to know: Sealants can wear down or chip over time, so we check them at each visit and repair them if needed.

Do these replace brushing?

No. They are extra protection, not a substitute. Your child still needs:

  • Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste: a smear for under-3s, a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6, with an adult helping.
  • Fewer sugary snacks and drinks, and less frequent snacking.
  • No bedtime bottle without brushing afterwards.
  • Regular dental check-ups.

Is fluoride safe?

Used in the amounts dentists advise, fluoride is a well-established way to protect teeth from decay. The key is the right dose: a small amount of toothpaste, supervised brushing so children spit rather than swallow, and professional treatments given at the right intervals. If you have questions about your child's fluoride exposure, including from drinking water, ask us. Learn more on our fluoride and sealants page.

Why not wait until a cavity shows up?

Because a cavity cannot repair itself once it has broken through the enamel, and filling or crowning baby teeth is more stressful for a child than a five-minute preventive visit. Read why baby teeth matter and how to prepare for a first visit.

Book a children's check-up with Dr. Achla Goel at Bite Dental: A-52, Meera Bagh, New Delhi 110087 (+91 75339 51611) or MedHarbour Hospital, 1st Floor, Room 222, Sector 51, Gurugram 122003 (+91 98106 64561). Open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm. This article is general information and not a substitute for an examination.