Preventative Care for Children
Children are not just small adults. They are not always able to be patient and cooperative during a dental exam.
Pediatric dentists know how to examine and treat children in ways that make them comfortable. In addition, pediatric dentists use specially designed equipment in offices that are arranged and decorated with children in mind. A pediatric dentist offers a wide range of treatment options, as well as expertise and training to care for your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth. When your pediatrician suggests that your child receive a dental exam, you can be assured that a pediatric dentist will provide the best possible care.
Preventative Care
Oral health is connected to the health of your body as a whole.
Preventive dentistry is the strategy and measures one takes in order to keep their teeth strong and in great condition, not to mention their overall health in check. This is because the mouth is a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Maintaining a clean mouth benefits your overall health. Benefits of preventive care include avoiding dental ailments like gum disease, enamel wear & tear, cavities and further discomfort or future costly dental procedures.
At KidZdent, preventive care is a major focus to ensure we are always able to provide the best possible treatment or solution while your child’s teeth and structure develop. Proper daily flossing and brushing, along with regular checkups and dental cleanings are important forms of preventive dentistry recommended by the ADA and other experts to maintain optimal oral health.
If you use proper dental care, you can avoid or lessen the effects of these:
- cavities
- gingivitis
- enamel loss
- periodontitis
Who Benefits from Preventive Dentistry?
This is an easy one: Everyone. In particular, children are ideal candidates because it allows their newly developing adult teeth to grow in aligned, strong and healthy. Preventive care also helps maturing adolescents and adults maintain and keep their real teeth.
Benefits of Preventive Dentistry?
With good dental hygiene, oral health is not the only driving factor. Poor oral health often leads to secondary problems. Preventive care decreases the chances.
Health ailments also linked to poor oral health are:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- osteoporosis
- respiratory disease
- cancer
In addition to reducing the risk of other health issues, practicing good preventive health can save a parent and family money. Even with dental insurance, the costs associated with poor oral hygiene can add up quickly. While preventive dentistry may not completely eliminate the need for fillings, root canals, or dental implants, it can go a long way in reducing your need for these costly treatments.
Floss & Brush Daily
Preventative care begins at-home. Perhaps the most crucial and basic steps one can take would be to floss and brush daily, preferably after every meal. Flossing cleans out the tight spaces between each one of your teeth and along the gum line in order to remove plaque and other hard to reach food particles which can lead to decay. However, it is imperative that everyone learns how to floss the correct way in order to achieve the best results.
KidZdent is more than happy providing flossing (and brushing) demonstrations at every appointment to make sure each child or patient is receiving the full advantage of flossing tools (like threaders) and toothbrushes. More often than not, floss threaders are used when the patient is undergoing an orthodontic treatment like braces as a way to get in between the metal brackets.
By brushing your teeth with fluoride based toothpaste, bacteria can be removed from one’s mouth to aid in fresh breath and clean, bright smiles. Don’t forget to brush the tongue and change out for new toothbrushes three to four times a year, replacing frayed bristles that will no longer be as effective.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Learning to eat nutritional and well-balanced food helps to protect one’s teeth by providing vitamins, important for oral health. Avoiding juices and limiting sugar intake is recommended.
Eating a varied diet of unprocessed foods, clean veggies, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day can all be a part of the contribution needs to create a health smile.
Schedule Your Appointment
It is suggested to see a pediatric dentist at least once to twice a year, especially in the early stages of development and young years. The ADA recommends a child’s first visit should be around 12 months old, highlighting how important preventative care really is. Dental cleanings and exams allow dentists to identify problems and take care of them right away. The earlier one is able to detect any problems with the teeth or gums, dramatically lowers the risk of potential dental ailments or oral health conditions.
Rule of thumb, the more frequent the visits, the greater the reward in the long run!
Additional Preventive Care
- Oral Exams
- Cleanings
- X-Rays
- Fillings
- Anesthetics
- Restorative Care
- Crowns
- Dentures
- Bridges
Get in Touch
Have questions or need any help from our team? Reach out to us below and one of our team members will get in touch with you as soon as we see your request.