Dental Impressions offers family dental services including children's care

How To Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy

In our last blog, we talked about the importance of good preventive care. This is important for both adults and children. As your little one grows up, they will go through many changes in their smile. At Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, we offer family dentistry to help your little one have a healthy grin. From prevention to restorations, we are here to keep their pearly whites free of cavities and other concerns.

Read more: How To Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy

The Importance Of Checkups

Your child should be brushing and flossing at home twice a day, with your help when needed. This can help remove leftover food from their meals and prevent cavities. Every six months, you should also bring them in for a checkup. During this appointment, the dentist will examine their oral cavity to ensure they are in good health.

A cleaning will also be done during this time. The hygienist will be able to remove plaque buildup that a regular toothbrush cannot get. If we notice your little one may be missing some spots during their hygiene routine, we’ll give them tips to brush better.

Fluoride And Sealants Protect Against Cavities

Due to the food and snacks they consume and being in the learning stage of dental care, kids are at a higher risk of developing cavities and other dental problems. Although they will eventually lose their baby teeth, it is important to maintain strong and healthy teeth for permanent dentition to grow properly.

To help decrease the risk of dental decay, we can offer fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel against cavity-causing bacteria. We may also suggest putting a sealant on your child’s teeth as an extra layer of protection from plaque and tartar.

Cavities And Other Problems

Dental decay is a leading concern when it comes to your child’s smile. If we notice that a cavity has formed, we can restore the structure with a tooth-colored filling. This will stop the cavity from worsening and prevent more severe problems.

Dental fear, gum disease, and tooth grinding can also cause serious problems to your child’s health. To combat dentophobia, bring your little one to the dentist at an early age to help them feel comfortable. Gum disease can be prevented with proper flossing techniques and preventive care. Bruxism is common in children as they explore their newly forming teeth. Their dentist can help diagnose the problem and provide a helpful treatment, such as an oral appliance, to help reduce the side effects of chronic tooth grinding.

Schedule Their Next Checkup Today

Starting good habits early can set your child up for a lifetime of good health. For more information about children’s dental services, schedule an appointment today by calling Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA at (515) 965-0230.