After a dental cleaning, your dentist may apply a fluoride treatment or sealant to your teeth. Fluoride treatments help to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities, while sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth to protect them from decay.
Fluoride treatments are typically recommended for children and adults who are at high risk for cavities. Sealants are usually applied to the teeth of children and teenagers, but they can also be beneficial for adults.