What routine care do children need to enjoy a healthy smile and avoid cavities and other concerns? In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist takes a look at how preventive treatments, like dental sealants, and routine visits for checkups and cleanings, can help them enjoy bright and healthy smiles for many years to come.
Preventive Treatments
For little ones of all ages, we have two very different but effective preventive treatments. During their routine six-month checkup visits, we can apply a layer of fluoride varnish to the teeth. A mineral found in nature, fluoride actually helps strengthen the outermost layers of the teeth, protecting smiles from the risk of tooth decay. Application only takes a few minutes. Our team also offers dental sealants. Treatment involves coating the rear teeth in a layer of acrylic. This prevents food from becoming stuck between the teeth. For children, these teeth are hard to reach when they brush and floss, which means food could become trapped and increases the risk of cavities. The sealants provide years of protection and wear away naturally with time.
Checkups and Cleanings
Starting with the first visit at around age one, kids need to schedule a routine checkup and cleaning about once every six months. These visits allow our team to examine the teeth and gums carefully for signs of trouble. We then offer treatment to keep these minor issues from becoming something more serious. We also perform a cleaning to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, reducing the risk of cavities and gingivitis. These visits also allow us to talk to your kids about proper eating and homecare. Studies show that routine visits help reduce the severity of dental anxiety, and could make your little ones more likely to visit the dentist in the adult years.
Proper Brushing and Flossing
Your kids need more than six-month visits, they need daily care. Each day, children need to brush and floss. You should do this for your babies and toddlers, and assist or monitor your older children. Kids should use a toothpaste with fluoride, and a floss pick can be easier to manage then floss tape. If you have any questions, then contact our team today to learn more. Let’s help your little ones enjoy a better smile in the new year!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY?
We would like to help you and your little ones continue to enjoy your best possible smiles. To learn more about our approach to dental care for kids, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
