(NAPSI)\u2014Parents can help their children practically eliminate their chance of getting cavities, often at no cost\u2014yet they don\u2019t. Here\u2019s a closer look at this conundrum:<\/p>\n
Be Smart About Sealants<\/strong><\/p>\n Beyond daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities in kids\u2014yet the clear protective coatings, which work by filling the deep grooves where bacteria can accumulate\u2014remain largely underused.<\/p>\n The thin, slippery coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars) makes it difficult for plaque to adhere, which prevents decay from sticking to the pits and grooves of molars. By blocking germs and food, sealants provide protection against tooth decay by nearly 80 percent in molars for two years and they continue to protect against 50 percent of cavities for up to four years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.<\/p>\n \u201cChildren without dental sealants are three times more likely to develop cavities,\u201d says Nadia Fugate, DMD, who serves as a Delta Dental of Washington dental consultant. \u201cSealants are one of the most effective ways to reduce cavities among children 5 to 15 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Fugate adds that dental sealants are safe, require no drilling, and are less expensive and easier to apply than fillings. Sealants last five to 10 years and are applied in a simple three-step process performed by the dentist or a dental hygienist:<\/p>\n \u2022Teeth are cleaned with a special toothpaste<\/p>\n \u2022A cleansing liquid is applied gently with a small piece of cotton and rinsed off<\/p>\n \u2022The sealant is \u201cpainted\u201d onto the tooth, requiring about a minute to form a protective shield<\/p>\n Sealants and Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n Dental sealants are completely covered by most employer-sponsored dental plans, with little or no out-of-pocket expense to parents; for those with individual and family plans, insurers such as Delta Dental offer a free online estimator which calculates any out-of-pocket cost based on the child\u2019s specific benefits and the dentist. In addition, many schools offer a school sealant \u00adprogram\u2014ask your school nurse if your child\u2019s school participates.<\/p>\n