Our general and preventive treatments don’t just include adults. We also offer children’s dentistry to help little smiles of all ages stay healthy and strong. From checkups to dental sealants, we can help kids avoid issues like tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about our approach to children’s dentistry.
Kids Need General Dentistry
Like you, kids need to see us every few months for a checkup and cleaning. When we conduct a checkup, we will examine the smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras, using 90% less radiation and providing a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. Our team can catch possible problems in the early stages and offer care to address them, this includes tooth decay and issues with the eruption/loss of primary teeth. Kids also learn more about their smiles and the importance of good oral hygiene. They are less likely to have dental anxiety later in life too!
In the same appointment, we can also conduct a dental cleaning to remove all the plaque and tartar buildup that brushing and flossing alone cannot. The process uses an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove buildup. The process takes only a few minutes and lowers the risk of tooth decay and gingivitis, as well as bad breath and teeth stains!
Preventing Cavities
Along with checkups and cleanings, our approach to general dentists also includes treatments that help prevent cavities. During each six-month visit, our team will offer a fluoride treatment to strengthen the outer enamel and make cavities less likely. Since kids have trouble reaching the molars when they brush and floss, cavities tend to form in these rear teeth. But with dental sealants, our team will coat these molars in a special acrylic layer, which prevents food and drink particles from being stuck between the teeth, lowering the risk of cavities. Sealants can even stay in place for as long as ten years in some cases! With both treatments, application will take only seconds, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as the materials cure.
Caring for Little Smiles at Home
You should also make sure your children care for their smiles from home in between these visits. Be sure they brush for two minutes in the morning and at night, using a fluoride toothpaste each time. They also need to floss every evening as well. Try to cut back on the sugar in their diet as well!
Dental Impressions Talks About Children’s Dentistry
Our approach to preventive dentistry also includes treatments made for kids of all ages. To find out more about children’s dentistry, call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
