We know that kids of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens, are likely to develop cavities without good oral hygiene and regular visits to our office. We want to help little smiles avoid painful toothaches due to cavities. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about preventing cavities with children’s dentistry.
When to See Us for Children’s Dentistry
Our team wants to see kids every six months for a checkup and cleaning visit starting at around age two. During these appointments, we can conduct a detailed diagnosis with precision, so we can identify any issues that need attention, such as tooth decay or complications with the arrival/loss of baby teeth. These visits also help us instill good dental habits and allow kids to gain a better understanding of the importance of good oral hygiene. They are then less likely to have dental anxiety and more likely to continue seeing the dentist on their own as adults. In the same visit, we also clean the teeth to help lower the risk of issues like tooth decay and gingivitis, as well as bad breath and teeth stains. But we also have two preventive treatments to lower the risk of cavities.
Fluoride Treatments
With a fluoride treatment, our team can apply fluoride to the teeth in a special varnish form. This mineral is naturally-occurring and helps strengthen the outer enamel to make cavities less likely, even in weakened portions of the enamel. The application only takes a few seconds, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures. You should also make sure your children use fluoride toothpaste when they brush their teeth. Kids three and younger should use a rice-size amount, while kids over the age of three should use a pea-sized amount.
Dental Sealants
Often, kids have trouble reaching the back teeth when they brush and floss. As a result, tooth decay is more likely to form in these molars. But we can apply a special acrylic coating to these teeth to help lower the risk of cavities. Dental sealants coat the rear teeth and prevent food and drink particles from being caught between them. The application takes seconds and again, kids just need to wait 30 minutes before they eat or drink. These layers can stay in place for up to ten years!
If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, then contact our team today.
Enjoy Children’s Dentistry from Dental Impressions
We want to help kids of all ages avoid the onset of tooth decay. To find out more about treating little smiles with children’s dentistry, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
