Preventative Dentistry Treatments for Children

Preventative dentistry treatments ensure better oral health for children. Many parents tend to disregard oral care as they assume their children’s teeth are in good condition due to their youth. But children can have many oral health issues if they don’t practice good habits like brushing and flossing.

You can visit the dentist with your child to get an idea of their oral health. New Lambton dental care will ensure that your child is given the best possible care. They will also inform you on how to foster good oral health habits in your children so that they maintain good teeth and gums for a long time. There are however certain preventative treatments that can be done to improve their oral health. One such treatment is dental sealants. Dental sealants are translucent and it can be applied on the chewing surfaces of teeth preventing the formation of cavities. This is generally applied to molars if your child has deep ridges along the chewing surfaces. The sealant will not stay in position if the ridges are not deep enough. If the sealant becomes loose it can increase the chance of cavity formation as it can trap plaque. The benefit of dental sealants is that the food will not be in contact with the teeth surface reducing the chances of childhood cavities. If your child plays contact sports, it is best to have a mouth guard made to the shape of your child’s mouth. Mouth guards will protect teeth and gums from physical trauma or impact. Otherwise, there can be chipped teeth, broken or loose teeth etc. that will need further treatment.

Fluoride treatments where fluoride is applied to teeth can increase the strength of teeth. This makes it easier for the enamel to withstand bacteria and acid that can cause decay. This is an effective preventative treatment for strengthening teeth and reducing the risks of tooth decay. There are space maintainers used to hold the empty space when a tooth becomes loose and falls. These space maintainers are made of metal or plastic and they can keep the remaining teeth steady without being subjected to much movement until permanent teeth start to come out. This is a cheaper way of ensuring that your child’s teeth maintain the proper positions. Moving the teeth later on can take more time and it can be costly.

There should be at least two dental cleanings per year for your child. There are areas in the mouth where it can be difficult to get to with a toothbrush which can lead to the formation of plaque. And in early years, brushing and flossing can be quite challenging as it can be difficult to get children to brush their teeth thoroughly. So there is a higher chance of plaque being deposited on the teeth. And this can be very difficult to remove unless you take your child to a dentist who will have the specialised tool and the skill to remove the plaque thoroughly. This will reduce the formation of cavities considerably.