A child’s primary teeth (often called “baby teeth”) are only present for a relatively short time. While they are temporary, your child can experience long-term oral health consequences from cavities that affect their baby teeth. If a cavity does affect a baby tooth, it can be treated by your Ankeny, IA dentist. If the problem is not addressed, decay can interfere with the development of their oral structures, and it can cause problems with their secondary tooth! Through smart preventive dental care, you can help your child keep healthy primary teeth, an important early step in their oral health development.
A Cavity Can Cause Serious Problems For A Developing Smile
A baby tooth is only temporary, which means that the tooth will be lost at an early age. With that said, it is important to treat a cavity on a primary tooth as a priority, something that should be taken care of by a dental professional. The cavity can become a source of discomfort, which can impact their ability to bite and chew. There is also a chance that the cavity will interfere with the natural development of their smile, or even interfere with the secondary tooth beneath the affected baby tooth!
Encouraging Good Brushing And Flossing Habits At A Young Age
Kids, like adults, can benefit from good oral hygiene. Even at a young age, a person’s tooth enamel is remarkably strong. By encouraging effective brushing and flossing habits from an early point in their life, you can give your kids the skill required to stay safe against oral health problems. Remember to follow up with them after they start to care for their teeth themselves. Because these activities are still new, some added encouragement can be important for cementing smart behaviors.
Tips To Help You Serve As A Good Oral Health Role Model
What can you do to help your child avoid tooth decay? Your efforts to care for your own smile can actually help them learn what a good routine looks like. Join them when they clean their teeth, and show off your thorough brushing and flossing efforts. To further protect their teeth, make sure your household is stocked with healthy foods and drinks for meals and snacks. If you want them to appreciate the value of regular dental checkups, you can schedule your visits for the same day, which allows them to see that you are also making a point of being evaluated by a dentist.
Your Ankeny, IA Dentist Helps Patients Of All Ages Protect Their Teeth
At our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, individuals who want to help their kids grow up with healthy smiles can appreciate our pediatric oral health services. To learn more about how we can help patients of all ages take good care of their teeth, please call Dental Impressions at (515) 965-0230.
