We want to help your children enjoy a head start on their oral health, avoiding issues like tooth decay and premature tooth loss, and understand their own oral health. In today’s blog, your Allen, TX, dentist wants to discuss the best way to protect little smiles, and how to maintain good oral health at home and in our office.
Checkups and Cleanings
When your child’s first baby tooth erupts, usually at around age one, we want to see your kids for a checkup. This is a visit that doesn’t involve treatment, and is more about getting to know your child and making sure teeth are erupting properly. Starting at age two, we would like to see your kids for regular checkups and cleanings every six months. A checkup is a chance to examine the smile and identify areas of concern and treat them before they threaten the stability of the smile. This could include treating cavities and infections, and using space maintainers if a baby tooth is lost prematurely, as to prevent misalignment. We also clean the teeth, a process that includes removing all plaque and tartar buildup from them. This lowers the risk of cavities, gingivitis, infection, and even bad breath and teeth stains!
Preventive Treatments
During these visits, we could also discuss preventive treatments to help them avoid the onset of tooth decay. For example, during each checkup we could apply a fluoride gel to the teeth to strengthen the outer enamel and make cavities less likely. We could also apply dental sealants to the rear molars, which are difficult for children to reach when they brush and floss. The sealants provide a barrier to prevent food from becoming stuck between them, and lowering the risks of tooth decay. They then stay in place for up to ten years in some cases, wearing away regularly with time as your child grows.
Good Homecare
Quality homecare is also essential for strong and healthy smiles in childhood. Children need to brush twice a day, in the morning and again at night, for at least two minutes each session. This allows them to remove trapped particles. They also need to floss every evening to reach and remove what a toothbrush alone cannot. If you have any questions about protecting little smiles and keeping them bright and strong, then contact our team today. We’re ready to see your little one for his or her next checkup and cleaning!
Talk To Your Allen, TX Dentist About Children’s Dentistry
Our team is eager to help children maintain their best possible smiles. If you want to know more about keeping little smiles healthy and strong, or if you are ready to book an appointment, contact your Allen, TX, dentist, Dr. Torrens-Parker, by calling 469-342-6644.
