A preventive dentist for kids can help to educate your child about the importance of oral hygiene and teach them ways to properly brush and floss their teeth. Good oral hygiene goes a long way when it comes to keeping teeth free of tooth decay and gum disease.
Gum disease is pretty rare for young children, but it can develop in some cases. Many oral conditions are caused by bacteria in the mouth. These germs feed on the sugars in food particles that are left on a person’s teeth, and they convert them into acids that eat away at teeth surfaces.
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental issues young children deal with, and it can lead to baby teeth falling out prematurely. This is a huge problem since these teeth serve as placeholders for the child’s permanent teeth. Taking good care of teeth can help to prevent decay from occurring.
Children who develop good oral hygiene habits early on in life typically keep up with the practice in their adult years. Here are some tips from our preventive dentist for kids:
Some dentists recommend brushing after every meal, but good luck trying to get a child to do that consistently. Brushing twice a day is just as effective, especially if the child brushes right before going to bed.
This is the most vulnerable time for teeth since saliva production is reduced during sleep. Saliva helps to remove bacteria and acids from teeth surfaces, so the mouth becoming dry during sleep makes it easier for bacteria in the mouth to damage teeth.
Brushing right before going to bed helps to remove sugars that can be converted into acids from teeth surfaces and plaque that has built up on their teeth during the day. That starves oral bacteria of the food they need to damage teeth.
Pediatric dentists recommend brushing your child’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush by making soft, gentle circles. Brushing teeth too hard can damage enamel and gum tissues.
Flossing becomes important as your child gets older. Young children tend to have large spaces between their teeth, so a toothbrush can be used to clean their sides. As they get older, more of their teeth erupt, and their interdental spaces will start closing up. At that point, parents should start teaching the child about the importance of flossing and show them proper flossing techniques. Flossing once per day is good enough to clean interdental spaces.
These treatments are performed to remove tartar deposits on children’s teeth. Tartar is calcified plaque that cannot be removed by brushing. A scaler or sonic tool is used to break down these deposits and remove them.
A therapeutic mouthwash goes a long way in protecting teeth against gum disease and tooth decay. Mouth rinses fall under one of two categories: cosmetic and therapeutic. Cosmetic mouthwashes help clean the mouth and cover up unpleasant smells. Therapeutic mouthwashes have active ingredients like fluoride that help to protect teeth against decay. Therapeutic mouthwash helps to reduce tartar formation on teeth while keeping bacteria populations in the mouth to a minimum. Using a therapeutic mouthwash after brushing and flossing teeth provides an extra layer of protection.
Bacteria in the mouth consume sugars and convert them into acids that damage teeth. Denying these microorganisms the fuel they need to form acids, plaque, and tartar goes a long way in protecting teeth against tooth decay and gum disease.
People who have a sweet tooth often find themselves dealing with issues like cavities. The worst thing a child can do is consume sweet things all day long. That means the bacteria in the mouth get all the fuel they need to cause dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Water helps to neutralize acids made by oral bacteria, and it washes them away along with food particles and debris in the mouth. Water also keeps the mouth moist; something oral bacteria do not like. These microorganisms tend to thrive in dry environments.
Encourage your child to drink more water between meals to protect their teeth against acids made by oral bacteria. People who sip on water all day are less likely to develop issues like cavities.
Routine dental appointments give your dentist a chance to evaluate your child’s developing teeth and the effectiveness of their oral hygiene habits. Call or stop by our Middletown clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
Protecting your child's teeth from cavities is crucial, and dental sealants can play a significant role in preventive dentistry. These sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of your child's molars and premolars, providing an extra layer of protection against cavities that often occur in the pits and fissures of teeth. By opting for dental…
According to the National Institute of Health, tooth decay is the most common chronic illness in the United States, with millions of people affected by minor to severe cavities. This common oral health issue is why dentists recommend that children get dental sealants as a preventive measure. Continue reading to learn more about how dental…
Dental sealants safeguard your child’s back teeth against tooth decay and infections. Although the process is painless, children can still experience some anxiety once they know they must endure a procedure. The following article will outline what parents can expect their child to experience during the dental sealant process to help calm them before the…
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are painted over the chewing surfaces of teeth further back in the mouth (molars and premolars). They reduce the risk of cavities. However, protecting the sealants and further reducing your child’s risk of tooth decay also requires limiting the consumption of or avoiding certain foods.The most common foods that…
Protecting your child's teeth from cavities is crucial, and dental sealants can play a significant role in preventive dentistry. These sealants are applied to the chewing surfaces of your child's molars and premolars, providing an extra layer of protection against cavities that often occur in the pits and fissures of teeth. By opting for dental…
According to the National Institute of Health, tooth decay is the most common chronic illness in the United States, with millions of people affected by minor to severe cavities. This common oral health issue is why dentists recommend that children get dental sealants as a preventive measure. Continue reading to learn more about how dental…