Do Children Need Preventive Care?
April 24, 2019
Instead of simply addressing problems when they arise, why wouldn’t you take steps to avoid possible trouble? That’s our approach to dentistry, whether for adults or kids. For children, we offer prevention to help strengthen their smiles and reduce the risk of tooth decay and other common oral health concerns.
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry means visits and treatments designed to avoid the onset of common oral health concerns. For example, we suggest a child’s first visit start at age one, once the first baby tooth arrives. Around age two, kids should begin seeing us every six months just as adults do. These visits enable our team to monitor your little one’s oral health, ensuring teeth are erupting properly and bringing attention to possible problems, such as tooth decay and misalignment, in the early stages. These visits now only help your little receive care before problems progress, but they also enjoy reduced dental anxiety, becoming accustomed to the sights and sounds of the office. We also have the chance to help instill good dental habits. If we uncover a cavity, then we can treat the tooth with a lifelike dental filling, which prevents the onset of infection or the premature loss of a baby tooth, which in turn could cause misalignment. So, if your little one complains about a toothache, be sure to let us know!
Fluoride Varnish and Dental Sealants
If we find your little one has high risk factors for developing tooth decay, then we may administer preventive treatments. For example, fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, actually helps strengthen the outer layer of tooth enamel. We may apply fluoride in a varnish form to the teeth, reducing the chances of cavities occurring. We also have dental sealants, an acrylic material we apply to the molars. These teeth sit in the rear of the mouth and may be difficult for kids to reach when they brush and floss. Food then becomes trapped between teeth and increases the risk of dental cavities. But the sealants provide a barrier to keep food from becoming stuck between these teeth. The sealants last for several years and if necessary, can be reapplied. We will also cover proper brushing and flossing, so both you and your children understand the steps necessary to protect smiles from cavities and gingivitis. If you have any questions about our preventive approach to children’s dentistry, then contact our team today.
Schedule Your Little One’s Visit Today
Our team wants to help you and your little ones enjoy healthy smiles and avoid serious complications throughout their childhood. To learn more about our children’s dental care and preventive treatment options, then please schedule a consultation by calling Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry of Kansas City, MO, today at 816-427-4018.