Tips For Maintaining Good Oral Health
We want to help the little ones in your family enjoy good oral health and a beautiful smile. Which is why we want to talk about improving oral hygiene, at home and when you bring them in for a checkup! In today’s blog, Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda talks about helping children’s smiles in Dallas, TX.
Kids Need to Brush and Floss
At home, kids need to brush and floss, and that starts as soon as the first baby tooth erupts! For babies, you can gently clean the first teeth with cloth or a small toothbrush that fit over your finger. As they reach the toddler years and more teeth arrive, you can upgrade to an age-appropriate toothbrush. Remember that kids under the age of three only need a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste!
When they can begin to brush on their own, be sure you monitor them to ensure they clean their teeth for at least two minutes. Continue to make sure they use fluoride toothpaste, after the age of three they can use a pea-sized amount. Kids also need to floss once there are teeth sitting side-by-side, as this removes what a toothbrush alone cannot. They can use a floss pick at first, and move on to tape or string as their dexterity improves. Kids need to brush in the morning and at night, and floss before they brush that second time.
Watch Out for Sugar
What children eat and drink has a major influence on their oral health. Too much sugar and starch leaves behind particles for harmful oral bacteria to consume, a process that creates plaque buildup and increases the risk of tooth decay. Instead of sugary foods and drinks, such as candy, chips, snack cakes, fruit juice, sport drinks, and sodas, offer water, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain bread and crackers, and options with vitamin C, such as cheese and low-fat yogurt. A healthy snack routine and healthy diet is a great way to keep little smiles bright and lower the risk of tooth decay.
Checkups and Cleanings
Kids also need to see our team for routine care. We want to begin seeing your kids for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months starting at age one. With a regular examination, we can closely monitor the smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, which use a fraction of the radiation and provide instant high-definition images of their teeth, roots, and oral structures. Our team can monitor for the signs of cavities, as well as developing issues like misalignment. These visits can help instill good oral hygiene habits and lower the risk of dental anxiety later in life. Your children better understand their smiles and the importance of caring for them, and may be more likely to continue seeing the dentist on their own as adults!
In the same appointment, we also take time to thoroughly clean the teeth to remove all layers of plaque and tartar. Doing so helps lower the risk of tooth decay and infection, and for older kids can lower the risk of gingivitis too.
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
We also provide preventive treatments to help lower the risk of cavities in little smiles. For example, our team can offer fluoride during the checkup visit, just after the cleaning. This is applied to the teeth in seconds, and the fluoride varnish then strengthens the outer enamel to keep this protective layer strong, preventing erosion and tooth decay.
We also have dental sealants, which coat the molars children often have difficulty reaching when they brush and floss. The sealants prevent food and drink particles from being stuck between the teeth, which prevents cavities. Once applied, the sealants can stay in place for years to come, as long as a decade in some cases! Again, application takes seconds. With both sealants and fluoride treatments, kids need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour to ensure the material fully cure.
If you have any questions about how we help children of all ages maintain good oral health with routine care, then reach out to our team today to learn more and start the treatment process. We want to help your children smile with confidence, and we can see you soon!
PDC Kids Believes in Beautiful Smiles
With an improved oral hygiene routine, you can keep smiles strong and bright. To find out more about boosting your child’s oral health, then call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Children's Dental Services