If you are a parent, you may have a number of aspirations for your little one. However, one of your primary concerns for your child is likely their health. Still, general health is affected by many factors. Oral health plays a significant role in your youngster's overall well-being.
Poor oral health has been linked to systemic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Thus, it is important to keep the teeth and gums in good condition.
Here are a few ways that a dentist can help protect your child's oral health.
Regular Checkups
The early discovery of an issue can help minimize its effects on the condition of your child's mouth. Even though you may regularly assist your child with their oral hygiene efforts, a problem in their oral cavity may still go undetected. Many issues are best diagnosed by a dental professional.
During a regular dental exam, the dentist fully examines the child's mouth, searching for signs of abnormality. Early decay may present as slight areas of discoloration on the teeth. Gum inflammation may cause the gums to appear red and puffy.
Once the dentist finds a problem, they can prescribe an appropriate treatment to remedy the issue before it progresses.
Fluoride Treatments
Preventive applications can help your child maintain the health of their teeth and gums. An application of fluoride can help prevent tooth decay.
The dentist usually applies the fluoride to the teeth as a varnish, gel, or foam. After the fluoride is applied using an applicator brush or mouth tray, it is allowed to remain in place for a brief period. The mouth is then rinsed.
The fluoride works by coating the teeth and attracting displaced minerals back to the surface of the tooth enamel. There, it reacts with the displaced minerals to remineralize the teeth. A new tooth material actually forms as the fluoride combines with the minerals. This new enamel is better able to resist demineralization from bacterial acids.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are also preventive. However, they do not remineralize your child's teeth. Instead, they form a protective barrier to help prevent decay.
The sealants are made of plastic and are used to coat the chewing surfaces of your child's molars. These surfaces are deeply grooved and are more prone to develop cavities. With the dental sealants in place, the coated areas of the child's teeth do not come in direct contact with decay-causing acids.
To learn more ways to protect your child's oral health, visit a dental office such as Milner Dentistry.
Share12 September 2018
