The Practicon Viewpoint by Ann Page Griffin

SEALANTS ARE OFTEN THE UNSUNG HEROES OF PREVENTION

A number of years ago, a friend in a dental office gave me an eye-catching acrostic entitled, DO SEAL OUT DECAY. She had written the piece and printed it for distribution to parents and caregivers of young patients in their practice. Written in layman’s language, the acrostic pattern caught the reader’s attention and made the information more interesting and memorable. With her permission, I invite you to use the acrostic in your own practice as a brief, convincing explanation of the efficacy of sealants to young patients’ caregivers/parents.

D	ecay is caused by a sticky substance called plaque that forms on tooth surfaces and interacts with sugars to produce acids that attack and damage tooth enamel.
O	ver and over again, repeated acid attacks break down the enamel until a cavity is formed, destroying a portion of the tooth.
S	ealants are one more tool that dentists use in the fight against decay.
E	ven brushing cannot always clean the pits and grooves of the molars or premolars where decay most often occurs.
A	clear or shaded resin sealant can be applied to the chewing surfaces of these teeth, forming a protective barrier.
L	oose bits of food and dental plaque can no longer sneak into these snug places to begin the decay process.
O	ptimum benefits are seen when sealants are applied to newly erupted permanent teeth.
U	sually, sealants can be expected to last several years. They will be examined during regular dental check-ups to be sure they are still in place, providing protection for the chewing surfaces of teeth.
T	he American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes that sealants can play an important role in preventing decay. However, total prevention must still include regular dental visits, use of fluorides, daily brushing (at least 2 or 3 times daily) and flossing, and limiting sweets in amount and frequency.
D	entists, hygienists, and assistants work together to apply sealants.
E	ach tooth takes only a few minutes to seal.
C	ost of sealants per tooth to prevent decay are less than the cost of fillings to repair decay.
A	sk our staff for more information about sealants.
Y	ou will be glad you did, and your child will have one more protection against decay!