Keeping Little Smiles Healthy: Dental Tips Every Parent Should Know

Children need to begin visiting the dentist regularly, starting as soon as their first milk teeth erupt. This enables them to get used to the dental environment and helps identify any developing issues early.

Oral care should begin even before babies have teeth, by gently wiping their gums with a damp cloth and once they have teeth, brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Encourage water instead of sugary drinks, and make flossing fun with child-friendly floss picks or holders.

Dental check-ups

Dental check-ups are a vital component of maintaining good oral health for kids dental care Bowling Green KY. They allow dentists to identify and address issues before they get worse, such as cavities or misaligned bites. They also provide a chance for professional teeth cleaning and fluoride treatments, and they help children establish a positive relationship with their dentists.

Parents should encourage their children to visit a kid friendly dentist for regular visits, and they can prepare them for what they can expect during their appointment by reading books about dental visits or ‘playing dentist’ with them. Parents should also show their kids that visiting the dentist is a normal part of their routine, and they can do this by making sure that they have appointments on a consistent schedule.

Fluoride treatments

Getting regular fluoride treatments is a great way to prevent tooth decay and keep kids’ teeth healthy. Fluoride is a mineral that naturally occurs in water sources, soil, and some foods and beverages. It is also found in toothpaste and mouth rinses. It strengthens teeth enamel, making it more resistant to acid erosion from bacteria and less likely to develop cavities.

Pediatric dentists recommend fluoride treatments as an essential part of dental care for kids. They provide highly-concentrated fluoride that is safer and more effective than the fluoride in water and toothpaste. In-office fluoride treatments come in the form of gels, varnishes, and foams. They are easy to apply and absorbed by the teeth. They can strengthen teeth and even reverse early signs of decay, protecting children’s smiles from the cost and discomfort of future dental procedures.

Tooth fillings

Tooth cavities can be a problem for kids dental care Bowling Green KY, even with proper brushing and flossing. If left untreated, they can lead to infection and the need for more extensive dental work. Dental fillings can help stop bacteria from destroying the tooth and halt the decay process.

Children are usually numbed before and during the tooth filling procedure. They may feel a little discomfort as the tooth is treated, but it’s no more than you would experience when water is sprayed in your mouth.

A composite resin is a durable and natural-looking alternative to metal fillings. It’s composed of acrylic plastic materials and powdered glass and can be matched to the color of your child’s teeth for a seamless look. It also helps preserve more of your child’s natural tooth structure than a metal filling.

Sealants

A thin coating applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth, sealants are one of the most effective treatments for children’s molar cavities. Studies have shown that children who have sealed teeth experience less pain, eating, and sleeping issues than those without.

Sealants are made of white, clear or slightly tinted resin liquid and are bonded to the tooth surface. Neither Novocain nor drills are used during the application process, which is fast, comfortable and painless.

The dentist will use a special light to harden the material on the teeth. Typically, the dentist will use composite resin or glass ionomer sealants, which are both safe and long-lasting. A dental sealant can be reapplied as needed. However, the best protection comes from a regular brushing and flossing routine combined with regular dental check-ups.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a treatment that can correct the alignment of teeth and jaws to improve oral health and function. A straighter smile reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, allows children to chew and speak normally, and increases confidence in social situations.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends scheduling the first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This is around the time when kids dental care Bowling Green KY have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The early treatment helps ensure that there’s room for permanent teeth to grow in and can help avoid more severe issues like crowding, spacing, or crookedness.

Early orthodontic treatment can also address habitual behaviors like thumb sucking, pacifier use, and tongue thrusting, which negatively impact teeth and jaw development. This can prevent future problems and make them easier to treat later.