Children, like adults, need routine care to help avoid issues like cavities or gingivitis, which could lead to infection, tooth loss, or gum disease after enough time. In today’s blog, your Olathe, KS, dentists will look at how we help kids enjoy optimal oral health, with preventive care, lifelike restorations, and more!
Treatment at Home
Good oral hygiene starts at home! As soon as your child has teeth erupt, they need to be cleaned twice a day, even if that’s just wiping them clean with a cloth as a baby. Once there are teeth sitting side by side, they need to be flossed, possibly with a floss pick at a young age. As your kids age, they will need to being brushing their teeth in the morning and at night, using a rice-sized bit of fluoride toothpaste. Flossing should happen every evening. These actions help remove trapped food particles and prevent complications, such as tooth decay or gingivitis.
Checkups and Cleanings
Once the first baby tooth arrives, your child needs to see the dentist for an initial exam. Afterward, routine checkups every six months are recommended, so we can keep an eye out for issues regarding baby teeth falling out or permanent teeth erupting. We watch for misalignment, as well as cavities and other issues that impact little smiles. The earlier we identify these issues, the sooner we administer treatment to prevent worsening symptoms. With the cleaning portion, we remove all plaque and tartar, a major factor in the prevention of cavities and gum issues. These visits also help lower dental anxiety!
Fillings
If your child does have a cavity, we will offer treatment with a lifelike and metal-free filling. Color-matched to blend with the smile, the restoration prevents infection. Even baby teeth benefit from a filling, as months could pass before they fall out naturally and in that time, symptoms could grow worse and an infection could develop!
Preventive Treatments
To help lower the risks of cavities, we could offer a fluoride varnish in the checkup visits, which helps strengthen the outer enamel and protect the smile. Dental sealants could also be applied, in which we place an acrylic coating on the rear teeth to prevent cavities, since kids have trouble reaching these teeth when they brush and floss. If you have any questions about our approach to children’s dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more.
Does Your Family Need a Checkup?
Our team would like to help you and your family enjoy optimal oral health. For more information on our preventive treatment options, or to schedule a dental consultation, call E-Care Dentistry, PA in Olathe, KS, today at 913-210-1701. We also proudly serve patients from Overland Park, Lenexa, and all surrounding communities.