Preventative
Dentistry
Preventative Dentistry
Establishing good oral hygiene habits with your child, like regular brushing, flossing, and dentist visits, is crucial for their lifelong dental health. Our pediatric dental office makes the experience enjoyable and stress-free, so kids feel at ease during their visits.
We believe that preventive pediatric dental care is the key to ensuring your child has a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
What is Preventative Dentistry?
First Year Advantages
Even small cavities can cause significant discomfort. Cavities result from tooth decay, which occurs when bacteria in plaque build up on your child’s teeth, producing acids that erode enamel. Preventive dental care, which removes these harmful bacteria, is the best way to reduce your child’s risk of cavities.
Even infants can develop cavities, and decay in baby teeth can lead to severe issues, such as pain, infection, difficulty chewing, and future complications with adult teeth. That’s why it’s important to start preventive measures as soon as your child’s first tooth appears.
Our mouths naturally contain bacteria—some helpful, some harmful. Decay occurs when harmful bacteria mix with food to create plaque, a soft, sticky film. These bacteria use sugars and starches to produce acid, which slowly erodes the enamel, leading to cavities. By practicing good oral hygiene and receiving regular professional dental care, plaque buildup can be minimized, harmful bacteria controlled, and early signs of decay treated before they become serious.
Preserve Tooth Enamel
Ever wonder why enamel is so important? It’s the tough outer layer that shields your teeth from daily wear. It’s also the hardest tissue in your body, which is why taking care of it is so essential.
Preventive dental care helps keep your enamel strong, protecting against tooth decay, cavities, and sensitivity. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are all vital steps in keeping your enamel healthy and your smile bright.
Fight Gum Disease
Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth and is the main cause of cavities and gum disease. When it sneaks under the gum line, it can lead to gingivitis, the early stage of gum disease. Untreated gum disease can cause bleeding and receding gums.
Regular professional cleanings, where plaque and tartar are removed from above and below the gum line, help prevent gum disease. Pediatric dentists are equipped to provide these essential cleanings every six months to maintain your child’s gum health.
Better Breath
Good dental care does more than just give your child a bright smile—it also helps them maintain fresh breath. Plaque, bacteria, and food particles can cause bad breath, but regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings can help keep their mouth clean and fresh, boosting their confidence and overall well-being.
What are Preventative Dental Habits?
Teaching your children good oral hygiene habits from a young age is critical for giving them a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. We’re here to help you provide them the tools they need to maintain their oral health.
Better Together
Modeling good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to teach your children. Brushing together not only teaches technique but makes it fun. For very young children, you can help brush their teeth until they’re ready to do it themselves, turning it into a bonding experience. Even if they resist, persistence pays off, and our dental team can offer tips to make the process easier.
Flossing
Flossing is just as important for kids as it is for adults. It helps remove bacteria and plaque between teeth that are close together. Depending on how your child’s teeth are spaced, flossing may be needed between all or just a few teeth. During visits, we’ll identify critical areas and teach effective flossing techniques to help your child develop independent, healthy habits.
Health Diet
A nutritious diet is vital for your child's dental health. Sugary foods can cause cavities, while nutrient-poor foods can lead to deficiencies. Sticky snacks, like gummies, can get trapped in teeth, causing issues. Encouraging a diet rich in leafy greens and Vitamin C helps promote healthy teeth and gums, contributing to your child's overall health.
What are Preventative Dental Services
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants provide excellent protection against decay. These thin, clear coatings are applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where decay most often occurs.
Sealants are quick to apply, long-lasting, and create a barrier that keeps food and bacteria out of the tiny cracks and grooves in teeth, making it easier to brush and floss effectively. Sealants are a critical tool in preventing cavities and are safe for both children and adults. If you have questions about sealants, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist or hygienist.
Professional Dental Cleaning
We love clean teeth! During professional cleanings, we use specialized tools to remove plaque and tartar, both above and below the gum line. Expert flossing cleans the gums, and fluoride treatments are often applied to help prevent cavities. We recommend that children have their teeth professionally cleaned every six months to maintain optimal oral health.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride treatments are an additional protective measure against decay. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to the acids that cause cavities.
This treatment is quick, painless, and an essential part of maintaining your child’s dental health. Regular fluoride treatments, combined with good home care, help ensure strong, healthy teeth for years to come.
