We’re proud to offer children’s dentistry, including amenities to help kids feel comfortable and enjoy their time in the office. With good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist, kids can enjoy a reduced risk of tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist explains how we help kids of all ages stay cavity-free.
Cavities and Little Smiles
Cavities can form when the enamel is weakened and erodes, exposing the sensitive inner structure to bacteria. For babies and toddlers, this can happen when they go to bed or nap with a bottle of milk or juice, often causing decay in the upper front teeth. A diet high in sugar and starch and a lack of proper brushing and flossing in older kids can also be a factor. When children develop decay, the teeth can ache and lack of treatment means the risk of infection is higher. The tooth could be prematurely lost, which then increases the risk of misalignment. Which is why we recommend treatment to avoid cavities, and if they form, we can offer care with a safe and lifelike dental filling.
Exams and Cleanings
Let’s talk about prevention with a six month visit. Starting at age two, we want to see your child every six months for a checkup and cleaning. During your child’s checkup, our team will carefully examine the smile and watch for the early signs of demineralization, so we can offer treatment to protect the tooth. In the same visit, we also clean the teeth. The dental cleaning does what brushing and flossing alone cannot: completely removes plaque and tartar from the teeth. This lowers the risk of cavities and gingivitis, safeguarding little smiles of all ages.
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
Along with the cleaning, we can also offer unique preventive treatments to help fight cavities. For example, during your six-month visit we will apply fluoride directly to the teeth in a special varnish form, which helps strengthen the outer enamel, even the weakened portions, to prevent cavities from forming. The process only takes a few seconds and the protection can last for months.
We also have dental sealants, which is an acrylic coating we add to the rear teeth., Kids often have difficulty reaching the molars when they brush and floss, so these rear molars are more likely to develop cavities. But these sealants prevent food and drink particles from being trapped between the molars, and can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases.
If you have any questions about protecting your children from tooth decay, then contact our team today to learn more.
Learn More About Children’s Dentistry
If you are interested in helping your little one enjoy good oral health, then schedule an appointment by calling Mai Dental in Garland, TX, today at (972) 530-0552.
