Tooth decay often occurs on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The good news is that sealants can help protect these surfaces from tooth decay and improve your chances to stay filling-free. What causes tooth decay? Your teeth are coated with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque (pronounced PLACK). The bacteria convert the sugars you eat and drink into acids that attack the strong, outer layer of your tooth, called enamel. Over time, this can weaken the enamel and cause cavities. What is a sealant? A sealant is a material applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, which have deep pits and grooves. The material flows into these pits and grooves and then hardens. Once your teeth are sealed, food and plaque cannot get in. The sealant forms a barrier against acid attacks. How are sealants applied? Your teeth are cleaned and the chewing surfaces are prepared to help the sealant stick to your teeth. The sealant is painted onto the chewing surface where it bonds to your tooth and hardens. Sometimes a special light is used to help the sealant harden. It usually takes only a few minutes to seal each tooth. Tooth groove Toothbrush bristle Sealants Quick Reference Even a toothbrush bristle is too big to reach inside a groove in the tooth (magnified). Chewing surface of a molar before a sealant is applied. Image ©Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Chewing surface of a molar protected by a sealant. Image courtesy of Dr. Adam Francois. Prevention W510 W276 Handling Your Child’s Dental Emergency When a dental emergency happens, there’s no time to waste. This handy mini-brochure: • Advises parents on what to do for an avulsed or broken tooth, bitten tongue or lip, object caught between teeth, toothache or possible broken jaw • Stresses the need for speed when a permanent tooth is knocked out W147 Mini-brochure, 5.875” x 3”, 100 per pack PERSONALIZE IT! DAB016 Prices on page 94 Personalized version is a standard-sized 6-panel brochure. PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $37.00 $55.50 2–9 $31.50 $47.25 10+ $27.75 $41.75 Mouthguards and Sports Safety This brochure highlights the essential role mouthguards play in helping to prevent mouth and jaw injuries. • Covers how to find a guard that fits—including at-home options that earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance • Reviews how to take care of appliance and considerations for patients with orthodontia • Drives home the point that the best mouthguard is one that fits comfortably and correctly W510 6 panels, 50 per pack PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $30.00 $45.00 2–9 $25.50 $38.25 10+ $22.50 $33.75 Sealants Quick Reference Card Easily explain how sealants can protect teeth and prevent decay with this two-sided card. • Details what a sealant is and how it is applied • Includes before-and-after photos of sealant application • Use the blank lines on the back to add your own message W276 Two-sided card, 100 per pack PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $37.00 $55.50 2–9 $31.50 $47.25 10+ $27.75 $41.75 Sealants Are Safe and Effective Research shows that dental sealants are safe and effective. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), children ages 6 to 11 without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends dental sealants to lower your risk of tooth decay and cavities. If you have any questions, talk to your dentist. Sealants Are Easy to Apply It takes only a few minutes for your dentist to seal each tooth. These are the steps your dentist may use to put sealants on your teeth: 1. Your tooth is cleaned and the chewing surface is prepared to help the sealant material stick to your tooth. 2. The sealant is painted onto the chewing surface where it bonds to your tooth and hardens. 3. A special light may be used to help the sealant harden. Sealants are smooth and you can’t feel them on your teeth. They are usually clear or white and can’t be seen when you smile or talk. Sealants Last Several Yearsprotect Sealants usually last several years before they need to be replaced. Over time, sealants can come off, which means they may not protect the teeth as well. Chewing on ice or hard foods can also break down sealants. During regular dental visits, your dentist will check your sealants and can reapply them if needed. You May Benefit from Sealants at Any Age Sealants are recommended for children and teenagers, because tooth decay can start soon after teeth come in. But, you never outgrow the chance of developing tooth decay and cavities, so adults can benefit from sealants, A sealant can be placed on a tooth that does not have a cavity in its pits and grooves. tooth is stained or has slight decay, your dentist may suggest you get a sealant, though other treatment may be necessary. If your tooth has severe decay or has a cavity, it may a more advanced treatment like a filling. Sealants Help Prevent Tooth Decay and Cavities Your teeth are coated with a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque (pronounced PLACK). Bacteria in plaque turn sugar in what you eat and drink into acids. These acids can break down the hard, outer layer of teeth, called enamel (e-NAM-uhl). Over time, acid can weaken enamel and may cause tooth decay, or form a hole (cavity) in your tooth’s enamel. Tooth decay often begins on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These surfaces have pits and grooves where plaque, bacteria and bits of food can get trapped. Just like in the pictures below, toothbrush bristles can’t reach into the pits and grooves, and that makes it hard to keep them clean. Your dentist may recommend dental sealants to keep decay from starting on these chewing surfaces in the pits and grooves. Nine out of ten cavities children get are on their permanent back teeth. Sealants can prevent most of these cavities by keeping out bits of food and stopping bacteria and acid from settling on teeth. Tooth surface before a sealant is applied Tooth surface protected by a sealant The chewing surfaces of a molar (magnified) have pits and grooves that trap plaque and bits of food. Even a toothbrush bristle is too big to reach inside a groove in the tooth (magnified). Tooth groove Toothbrush bristle Tooth surface before a sealant is applied. Tooth surface protected by a sealant. Dental Sealant Sealants Work Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 80%. 80% Sealants are not a substitute for cleaning your teeth every day! They only help prevent decay if you stick to your daily oral hygiene routine. Show your patients' parents the effectiveness of sealants with brochures that reinforce your message and use vivid images to illustrate their cavity-prevention efficacy. PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1more $30.00 $45.00need 2–9 $25.50 $38.25 10+ $22.50 $33.75 BEST SELLER Seal Out Decay Give patients and parents a primer on the benefits, ease and safety of dental sealants with this mini brochure. • Uses easy-to-understand descriptions and images to explain how sealants can protect against cavities • Conveys that sealants act as a barrier to seal out tooth decay W19120 Mini-brochure, 5.875” x 3”, 100 per pack BEST SELLER Dental Sealants: Protecting Teeth, Preventing Decay Sealants on permanent molars reduce the risk of cavities by 80 percent. This brochure: • ExplainsCan how sealants can against cavities and act as a barrier to seal out tooth decay • Clearly describes the steps of placing a sealant and reminds patients that sealants are not a substitute for cleaning your teeth every day • Reinforces the benefits, ease and safety of dental sealants at any age LANGUAGES AVAILABLE W291 English, 6 panels, 50 per pack W223 Spanishtoo. PERSONALIZE IT! DAB019yourIf PACKS MEMBER RETAIL 1 $37.00 $55.50 2–9 $31.50 $47.25 10+ $27.75 $41.75 ORDER BY PHONE: 800.947.4746 84 85 ORDER ONLINE: ADASTORE.ORG PATIENT EDUCATION SAFETY | SEALANTS