How To Improve Your Child’s Oral Health
Our team wants to help kids enjoy good oral health, and this includes avoiding issues like tooth decay. With good oral health and treatment from our team, we can help kids enjoy good oral health! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about improving your child’s smile.
The Risks of Tooth Decay and Gingivitis
The holiday season is a fun time for kids of all ages! But this is also a time when they have tons of sugary desserts and sweets available, and even their big holiday meals tend to be starch-heavy. Which means the risk of tooth decay is much higher. When they consume lots of foods and drinks with these ingredients, this can leave behind particles that feed harmful bacteria. This process creates plaque and tartar buildup, which erodes enamel to cause cavities, and for older kids could increase the risk of gingivitis and sensitivity in the gums. We want to help kids avoid the onset of cavities and gingivitis, which is why we offer treatment to remove little smiles! In fact, you could schedule a visit now so we can see your little ones and offer any necessary care before the holidays arrive and the year comes a close. For those with dental insurance and a health savings account, this is a chance to use your benefits and funds before they expire at the end of the month.
Checkups and Cleanings for Children
Children need a checkup and cleaning visit every six months starting as early as age two. The exam is a chance to closely look at your child’s smile and watch for any issues that could threaten their oral health, including tooth decay. We then create a treatment plan to address the issues and bring relief, so they avoid the risk of infection and premature tooth loss, which not only leads to discomfort, but a higher risk of misalignment!
Our team will also make sure primary teeth are erupting and falling out on schedule and that permanent teeth have a clear path to eruption, and we will discuss better homecare habits with them too. In the same visit, we can also conduct a cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth gently and thoroughly, which not only leaves them brighter, but lowers the risk of cavities and periodontal concerns in smiles ranging from toddlers to teens!
Dental Restorations for Children
If we find a cavity or infection, what will we do to bring relief? For a cavity, we can often treat the issue in one day with a metal-free dental filling. The material bonds with the tooth and is safe for all ages, and is more lifelike than a traditional metal filling. For more substantial injuries or decay, we could offer a NuSmile zirconia crown or a stainless steel one. For infections, we have a root canal alternative known as a pulpotomy, which is a more conservative way to take on infected teeth.
Preventing Cavities
We want to help your kids avoid the onset of cavities completely if possible. With preventive treatments, we can offer ways to lower their risk of developing tooth decay during the holidays and throughout the rest of the year. For example, we can apply fluoride to the teeth directly during the checkup and cleaning visit to help strengthen the outer enamel and keep cavities at bay. Placement takes seconds, and they just need to avoid eating or drinking for about a half hour.
We can also apply a thin acrylic layer to the rear teeth. Known as a dental sealant, this coats the teeth kids have the most trouble reaching when they brush and floss, so food and drink particles cannot be trapped there and the risk of tooth decay is much lower. They can be placed in seconds and last for years to come, as long as ten in some cases!
Better Care at Home During the Holidays
We always want to talk to your kids about proper brushing and flossing habits to better protect their smiles, as well as ways to enjoy their sugary favorites in moderation and discuss tips for protecting their teeth and gums. We want them to get a better understanding of their smiles and the importance of routine care to keep them safe and healthy.
If you have any questions about protecting kids with a preventive approach to children’s dentistry, then reach out to our team today to egg started!
PDC Kids Helps Kids Enjoy Good Oral Health
Our team wants to help children of all ages stay free of tooth decay during the holiday season. To find out more about children’s dentistry, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Children's Dental Services