Kids of all ages benefit from children’s dentistry, from kids to teens. With these regular visits for treatment, our team can help them avoid the onset of issues like tooth decay! In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about what to expect from your child’s visit to our office, and when you should bring them in for a checkup and cleaning.
Checkups and Cleanings for Kids
A checkup and cleaning visit benefits kids just as much as they do adults. We always recommend an initial visit for a wellness appointment at around age one, once the first baby tooth has erupted. Routine checkups and cleanings should start at around age two. Our team can use the procedures to examine the smile and catch issues like cavities, gingivitis, and developing misalignment in the early stages, so treatment can be done to protect smiles and prevent discomfort and other negative changes. We make sure baby teeth arrive and fall out on time, and that permanent ones have a clear path to eruption. Our team can also instill good oral health habits and discuss how to care for their smiles. Routine visits have also shown to lower the risk of dental anxiety, and are more likely to continue seeing the dentist on their own as adults. In the same visit, we will clean the teeth to brighten them and lower the risk of cavities and gingivitis!
Dental Sealants
We know that many kids have trouble reaching the rear teeth when they brush and floss, which allows food and drink particles to remain trapped there, increasing the risk of tooth decay. But we can help by applying dental sealants. We will place a thin acrylic layer on the rear teeth so that food and drink particles cannot be trapped on or between the teeth. The application only takes seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures fully. These can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases!
Fluoride Treatments
During each checkup and cleaning appointment, we can also help strengthen smiles with the application of fluoride. This material is naturally-occurring and has been shown to strengthen the outer enamel to make the onset of cavities less likely. Along this in a varnish form only takes seconds and again, your little ones just need to avoid food and drinks for about 30 minutes as it cures. If you have any questions about our approach to children’s dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more.
Dental Impressions Talks About Children’s Dentistry
We want to help kids of all ages enjoy healthy and bright smiles for years to come. To schedule your appointment for children’s dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
