Are you ready for your kids to be home for summer break? During this time off, kids tend to snack a little more and the risk of tooth decay can rise. But we have a few ideas for safeguarding their smile! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about the importance of a summer checkup for kids.
Summer Break and Tooth Decay
Children always have a great time in the summer months, but they also tend to snack a little more than usual on sugary treats, from ice cream and snack cakes to sodas and juice. Which means the risk of tooth decay elevates, and kids could be more vulnerable to the onset of gingivitis too. We want to help your whole family enjoy a smile-healthy smile, and that starts with a checkup and cleaning visit! But before your visit and after, you should offer kids healthy snacks and drinks low in sugar and starch, and make sure they take time to brush for two minutes when they wake and then again before bed, with a fluoride toothpaste each time. Kids also need to floss every evening too. These actions can help keep smiles strong all summer long.
Starting with an Exam
When your children arrive for an exam, we will talk to them about their oral hygiene habits and other factors that could impact oral health. We then take a close look at the smile with advanced digital imaging, so we can make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. If we find areas of concern, we can offer treatment, often in only one visit. In addition, we will talk about improving their oral hygiene habits, and in the same visit offer a cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar buildup. The cleaning brightens the smile and also lowers the risk of tooth decay and infection!
Fighting Cavities
We also offer two treatments designed to help lower the risk of tooth decay in little smiles. During your child’s checkup appointment, our team will provide fluoride in a varnish form to strengthen the outer enamel and lower the risk of tooth decay. Since many kids have trouble reaching the rear molars when they brush and floss, we could offer dental sealants that coat them and help prevent cavities from forming there, staying in place for as long as ten years in some cases!
If you have any questions about children’s dentistry or about scheduling a summer exam and cleaning, then contact our team today.
Dental Impressions Talks About Children’s Dentistry
Our team wants to help children enjoy better oral health all summer long. To learn more about improving your little one’s smile, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
