Pediatric Dental Care Can Prevent Decay and Infections

Keeping your child in good oral health begins with exposing them to pediatric dental care. We recommend that you bring your child to our office twice a year so that we can prevent the spread of untreated infection. Our objective is to help keep your child's teeth strong and healthy now and in the future. Doing so requires that we clean the child's teeth on a regular basis to remove any plaque or tartar that builds up. While brushing and flossing at home is critical to maintaining good oral health, it is typically not enough without the combination of regular dental visits. Removing plaque in hard-to-reach areas is difficult for one to do at home.

Upon bringing a child to our office for pediatric dental care, we will not only clean their teeth but will also:

#1. Look for signs of soft spots and treat any decay

Before a child ever experiences a cavity or a toothache, he or she will have some soft spots. Identifying and removing the decay early will allow us to prevent the spread of it to help the child remain in strong oral health. The longer one waits to bring a child in for treatment, the more likely it is that the child will suffer pain.

#2. Restore cracked or chipped teeth

Children tend to crack and chip their teeth doing all sorts of activities. Playing on the playground at recess can be dangerous, riding their bike can be dangerous, even running around the living room can pose dangers. It is just part of life but we are here to restore any teeth that sustain damage. We can help to limit any discomfort or irritation that the child may feel while working to restore the tooth.

#3. Apply fluoride to strengthen teeth

Fluoride is a mineral that we can place directly onto the enamel of the teeth. It works to strengthen the enamel and reverse some of the effects of enamel erosion that occur naturally. As a result, we can strengthen a child's teeth and reduce the risk of decay.

#4. Let you know if they need dental sealant

If we identify deep ridges on the chewing surfaces of a child's teeth, we may recommend applying dental sealant. This is something that we apply in our office and it is a clear plastic like substance. It is gently brushed onto the teeth and hardens within minutes, forming a barrier between the actual teeth and the food one eats. Since food and plaque cannot touch this area of the teeth any longer, the risk of decay is reduced.

#5. Discuss orthodontics

If we identify signs of overcrowding or notice that a child has wear in certain teeth that is more significant than others, we may recommend visiting an orthodontist. We will go over the details at the appointment and explain how best to proceed.

#6. Go over healthy choices

We will talk about healthy choices in dietary habits, brushing and flossing. This will help a child to become empowered to make positive choices that can benefit them throughout their lifetime. Healthy choices can make the strong foundation for a healthier future.

We encourage you to visit our office for pediatric dental care so that we can help your child to maintain good oral health as they grow. It is important for life with a beautiful smile.

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