Preventive Dentistry

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Preventive pediatric dental care is extremely important for your child's oral health.

Practicing good oral hygiene at home with your child, such as regular brushing and flossing, and scheduling regular checkups with the dentist will help establish good habits that will last a lifetime. At our pediatric dental office, we always make sure to keep things fun and relaxed for kids so they don't get nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist. We believe that preventive pediatric dental care is the best way to ensure that your child has a beautiful smile for life!

Why is Preventive Dental Important?

Minimize the risk of tooth decay

Though they may seem small, cavities can cause a lot of pain. They're caused by tooth decay, which happens when the bacteria in plaque accumulate on your child’s teeth and secrete an acid that degrades the tooth enamel. Preventive dental care, which involves removing this harmful bacteria, is the best way to lower your child’s chance of getting cavities.

Even very young children can suffer from dental cavities. Dental decay or cavities in baby teeth can cause BIG problems including pain, infection, difficulty chewing, and future problems with their adult teeth thus it is important to start preventing dental cavities as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts.

We all have bacteria in our mouths, some are helpful but some are harmful. Dental decay occurs when the cavity causing bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. The bacteria uses sugar and starch in the food we and drink to make acid. This acid begins to breakdown the minerals in a tooth’s enamel and overtime a cavity or hole in the tooth will form. Good oral health hygiene practices at home and ongoing professional dental care will help prevent plaque accumulation, minimize harmful bacteria, and help ensure small areas of decay developing will be repaired before significant damage to your child’s teeth occur.

Preserve tooth enamel

Have you ever wondered why your tooth enamel is so important? Enamel is the hard, outer layer that protects your teeth from everyday wear and tear. It's also the hardest tissue in your body! That's why taking good care of your tooth enamel is so important.

Preventive dental care will help keep your teeth clean and strong, and prevent tooth decay, cavities, and sensitivity. So what are you waiting for? brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist regularly are all great ways to keep your tooth enamel healthy and strong!

Fight gum disease

Dental plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on our teeth. Plaque is the main cause of dental cavities and gum disease. When plaque gets under the gum line it causes gingivitis, which is an early form of gum disease. Gum disease can lead to several adverse side effects, like bleeding and receding gums.

Pediatric dentists can help prevent gum disease by cleaning below your child's gum line. A professional dental cleaning every six months is recommended in order to remove plaque and tartar that has built up on teeth, above and below the gum line. Pediatric dentists can help prevent gum disease by cleaning below your child's gum line.

Better Breath

Proper dental care is important for more than just a sparkling smile--it can also help your child to have better breath. Plaque, bacteria and food particles can all contribute to bad breath, so by removing them you can create a cleaner, healthier environment for your child's mouth. This can in turn boost their self-confidence, since they won't have to worry about bad breath holding them back from enjoying the day. Plus, they'll feel fresher overall. So don't forget to encourage your child to brush and floss regularly!

What are Preventive Dental Habits at Home?

There are few things more important than teaching your children good oral hygiene habits from a young age. Not only will it set them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums, but it will also give them the tools they need to take care of their own oral health.

Brush FOR them

If you have very young children, you need to brush their teeth for them until they learn to do it on their own. This can be a great opportunity to bond with your child and teach them about the importance of brushing their teeth.You can make it into a fun game, with you being the big "toothbrush" and your child being the little one. Or you can sing a song while you brush their teeth or use character voices to help gain engagement.

Despite your best efforts some children resist brushing. In this scenario, continue to do the best you can and do not give up. Eventually your child will understand toothbrushing is an essential practice to stay healthy. Our team is very familiar with the challenges that can occur when trying to care for your child’s teeth and would love to discuss strategies to make this an easier experience for your family during your dental visit.

Brush WITH them

Nothing can be more powerful than modeling proper oral hygiene practices. Children who watch their children brush and floss routinely are more likely to want to engage in similar practices. Take advantage of this opportunity to teach them proper techniques and instill the values of good oral health care. By making teeth brushing time something to look forward to, you can help your children develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Flossing

Flossing is not just for adults; kids need it too. Flossing is an important part of oral care routine. The only way to remove bacteria and plaque between teeth that touch is with dental floss so regardless of age if the teeth touch you need to floss! Depending on your child’s teeth positioning you may need to floss between every tooth or just a few spots. During your dental visit we will help identify key areas your child’s teeth touch and ensure you have the proper technique to reach these places in a wiggly child’s mouth!

If you floss with your child, they will learn how to do it and be more likely to floss on their own.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet is important for many reasons, and keeping your teeth healthy is one of them. A healthy diet is important for promoting healthy teeth and gums in your child. Foods high in sugar and carbohydrates can contribute to cavities, and unhealthy foods that lack proper nutrients can leave your teeth deficient in certain vitamins and minerals.

Sticky foods such as fruit snacks, gummies, dried fruits, raisins, and candies are particularly dangerous as they easily become packed in the small grooves and spaces between teeth.

Opt for a diet full of leafy greens and foods high in vitamin C to help promote healthy teeth and gums for your child. Not only will this help keep their smile healthy and strong, but it will also give them the nutrients they need for overall good health. So next time you're at the grocery store, be sure to pick up some extra leafy greens and foods high in vitamin C - your child's teeth will thank you!

What Are Preventive Dental Services?

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a great way to give your child's teeth some extra protection against decay. Sealants are thin, clear coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where decay is most likely to occur. They are quick and easy to apply, and they last for several years.

Sealants provide a barrier that keeps food and bacteria from getting into the tiny cracks and grooves in teeth, and they make it easier for brushing and flossing to remove food and plaque. Sealants are an important part of preventing cavities, and they are safe for both children and adults. If you have any questions about dental sealants, please ask your dentist or dental hygienist.

Professional Dental Cleaning

We love clean teeth and use special techniques and tools to achieve the cleanest teeth possible. During teeth cleanings, we use special tools to remove plaque and tartar from teeth. Expert flossing provides the gums a clean environment and we may use fluoride treatments to help prevent cavities. It is recommended that children have a teeth cleaning every six months.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that helps strengthen and protect your child’s enamel. Fluoride treatments can help prevent cavities and keep your child's teeth healthy as they get older. They are effective for both baby and adult teeth. Fluoride treatments are safe, painless, and quick. The treatment only takes a few minutes, and your child can immediately eat and drink after the procedure.