When was the last time you brought your kids in for a visit? As part of our approach to general dentistry, we offer care to help safeguard children’s smiles against cavities and more. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about helping little smiles with general dentistry.
When Kids Should See the Dentist
Children should have their first visit at around age one, when their initial baby tooth erupts. This visit is a wellness one, in which we examine the smile to make sure baby teeth are erupting properly. The visits consist of a simple knee-to-knee lap exam.
Once your children reach the age of two, they need to see us for general dental appointments once every six months. During these checkups, we will make sure baby teeth erupt and all out on schedule, so permanent ones have a clear path to eruption and kids avoid issues like misalignment. We also look for signs of common issues like tooth decay and gingivitis, so we can treat them before they threaten smile stability.
In the same visit, we also conduct a dental cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. The procedure only takes a few minutes to complete and can brighten the smile, while also limiting the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis.
Fluoride Treatments
As part of our approach to general dentistry, our team can also offer fluoride treatments for little smiles. During each checkup appointment, we can apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form. The process takes seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as the material cures. The varnish helps strengthen the outer enamel, even the weakened portions, to prevent the onset of cavities. We also recommend kids use fluoride toothpaste when they brush, with kids three and younger using a rice-sized amount, and kids over the age of three using a pea-sized amount.
Dental Sealants
Our team can also safeguard smiles with dental sealants! Children often have trouble reaching the molars, the area teeth, when they brush and floss. As a result, this is where food and drink particles can accumulate and where tooth decay can occur. But with dental sealants, we coat these teeth in an acrylic layer, which prevents food and drink particles from being trapped there, so the risk of cavities is much lower. They can even stay in place for up to ten years!
Dental Impressions Talks About Children’s Dentistry
General dentistry can help keep your child’s smile strong and bright, so they can enjoy better oral health. To find out more about general dentistry and schedule your next appointment, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
