Children need dental care to prevent the onset of tooth decay and infection, which is why we want to see them every six months. We can even offer unique preventive treatments too! In today’s blog, your team at Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA, talks about keeping little smiles strong with children’s dentistry.
The Need for Your Child’s Checkup and Cleaning
When do kids need to see us for a routine checkup and cleaning? Just like adults, kids need to see us every six months, and this can start as early as age two. Our team wants to conduct an exam, looking closely at their teeth, gums, and oral structures with digital technology to make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. We can then offer care for any issues we uncover. In the same visit, we also clean the teeth to remove harmful plaque and tartar buildup from the teeth, which helps brighten the smile and lower the risk of cavities, gingivitis, bad breath, and teeth stains.
Treatments to Prevent Cavities
We also offer children treatments to help prevent cavities. For example, every six months we could apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form, applying this to the outside in a matter of seconds. Kids then just need to avoid food and drink for about a half-hour as the material cures. This helps keep the outer enamel strong. We also know that kids have trouble reaching the rear molars when they brush and floss, so cavities are more likely to form in these areas. With dental sealants, we can apply a thin layer of acyl to the rear teeth, so food and drink particles cannot be trapped between the teeth. The risk of tooth decay is lowered. When applied, this could protect teeth for years to come, sometimes as long as a decade!
Better Brushing and Flossing Habits
Our team also wants to help kids by making sure they know how to brush and floss properly. Kids of all ages need to brush when they wake up and then again before going to bed. We suggest a toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste with fluoride. We also recommend flossing, as kids need to blend between their teeth every evening before they go to bed. This also helps protect the teeth.
If you have any questions about how we safeguard little smiles with children’s dentistry, or about how to care for their teeth properly from home, then contact our office to learn more and see us soon!
Dental Impressions Offers Children’s Dentistry
We want to help treat little smiles and ensure your littles ones avoid tooth decay. To schedule an appointment for children’s dentistry, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
