What effect do properly placed dental sealants have?

Properly placed dental sealants serve as a protective barrier over the occlusal surfaces of teeth, particularly molars, which are more prone to decay due to their grooved and fissured structure. By sealing these surfaces, sealants effectively prevent food particles and plaque from accumulating in these tiny grooves, reducing the risk of cavity development. This protective effect is significant, especially in children and adolescents, whose newly erupted permanent teeth are still developing and are more susceptible to caries.

The other choices do not accurately represent the function of dental sealants. Dental sealants do not prevent oral cancer, nor do they enhance tooth sensitivity or whiten the teeth; their primary role is to provide a protective barrier against cavities. Therefore, the correct understanding of the effect of properly placed dental sealants centers around their ability to protect against cavity development in the sealed tooth surfaces.