They say that when it comes to the oral hygiene of your kids, there is no better time to start than now. Practicing oral health as early as possible helps in ensuring that your child’s teeth are healthy and free of tooth decay and gum diseases. When the teeth start popping out, make sure that you have the right kind of toothbrush to keep them clean. Regular dental treatments should be done.
Since children’s teeth and gums are more sensitive than that of adults. It is important to use the type that is recommended by a pediatric dentist in Woodbridge, VA.
Kids are prone to tooth decay—that is a fact. With a high sugar diet, low water intake, and poor oral hygiene, the cavity is just waiting to strike. This is prevalent in primary teeth and could be very painful for a child.
This is why it is vital that your child pay regular visits to the dentist. So that there is proper monitoring of their oral health and dental problems are avoided. As a parent, you have to ensure that your child is used to getting regular dental checkups and that they know the importance of doing so.
5 Dental Treatments for Kids
If your kid hasn’t visited a dentist yet, whether that is your family dentist for a routine check-up or the local orthodontist for kids to have braces fitted, you can set their expectations and let them know what’s about to happen and what the dentist will do. Some kids develop a fear of the dentist because of the pain associated with tooth extraction. But, with proper guidance, your kid will understand that routine checkups may include the following dental treatments for kids:
#1. Dental Cleaning
Taking your kid in the clinic will allow the dentist to assess the overall dental health of your child. This would be followed by a thorough cleaning where plaques and calculus are removed—the culprits of cavities and gum diseases. After the cleaning process, the dentist will apply fluoride on your kid’s teeth to protect the areas that are prone to decay.
#2. Fluoride
Whether it is a professional fluoride varnish treatment or just brushing with special fluoride toothpaste, fluoride helps fight tooth decay. Since cavities forms from the weakened enamel in your kid’s teeth, the fluoride demineralizes the enamel, preventing the formation of cavities. If you are administering the fluoride yourself, make sure you consult your child’s dentist so that you know you are using just the right amount.
#3. Dental Filling
In most common cases where tooth decay is not that deep, a tooth-colored filling is a viable treatment option. The decayed part of your kid’s tooth is removed and is replaced by a filling. Intended to not only restore the tooth but at the same time maintain the appearance of the original tooth. With a filling, it will appear as if not tooth decay even took place.
#4. Sealants
Regarded as extremely effective in tooth decay prevention, sealants are white plastic coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. Together with fluoride, these two treatments inhibit tooth decay and with proper care, could last up to ten years.
#5. Tooth Extraction
Probably one of the most terrifying things you can tell your child is that they have to undergo tooth extraction. This becomes an option when the decay has become irreparable that no other treatment can save the tooth. In order to avoid going through this process with your child, make sure that you do the best you can to create an oral hygiene routine for your child. This may not seem many days today, but proper oral hygiene will have a great impact on your child’s overall oral health.
Final Words
These are the common dental treatments your child may go through. Letting them experience one of these treatments will give them insights about why it’s important for them to take care of their teeth better. Other dental treatments may include dental braces, clear aligners or teeth bleaching.
