Children tend to have a high risk of cavities, and that risk can begin as soon as the first baby tooth erupts! But with children’s dentistry, our team can offer preventive treatments to help keep cavities at bay. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, family dentist talks about the importance of children’s dentistry.
Tooth Decay and Little Smiles
Cavities often form with harmful oral bacteria break down particles of sugar and starch, and in the process, coat the teeth in plaque buildup. This buildup then weakens and erodes the outer enamel to expose the sensitive inner structure to bacteria, which allows a cavity to form. Your child’s risk increases if they have a lot of sugar and starch in their diet, and don’t brush and floss properly. Even for babies and toddlers there is a risk of tooth decay if they fall asleep or nap with a bottle or milk or juice. When cavities form, they need treatment to avoid infection and the risk of premature tooth loss. But we have a few ways to keep the cavities away!
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
During your child’s routine checkup visit, our team will apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form. This coats the teeth and strengthens the outer enamel to make tooth decay less likely. Application only takes a few seconds, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures. Fluoride is so important we also recommend kids use fluoride toothpaste, a rice-sized amount for kids under the age of three, a pea-sized amount for kids over the age of three.
Children have a hard time reaching the rear molars when they brush and floss, so these teeth tend to be more vulnerable to tooth decay. But with dental sealants, our team can apply a thin acrylic coating to these teeth so food and drink particles can’t become stuck between them, significantly lowering the risk of cavities. Applying them takes seconds and they can stay in place for up to ten years!
Dental Cleanings
We also want to see your kids every six months for a cleaning, so we can completely remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth to lower the risk of enamel erosion and tooth decay. We can also take time to talk to your kids about proper brushing and flossing habits, and how to choose smile-healthy snacks. If you have any questions about how we treat little smiles and fight tooth decay, then contact our team today.
Schedule Your Child’s Visit With Dental Impressions
Our team wants to help children enjoy good oral health and smiles that shine. To find out more about our approach to children’s dentistry, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
