Children need to undergo routine care to avoid issues like tooth decay and gingivitis, keeping their smiles healthy and whole. These visits can also help them better understand their own oral health! In today’s blog, your Rochester, MN, dentist talks about our approach to pediatric dentistry!
Kids Should Receive Checkups and Cleanings
First, we want to see your little one for a checkup visit! We always recommend a wellness visit at around age one, after the first baby tooth erupts. Traditional checkup and cleaning appointments usually start at around age two. When kids attend these revisits, we can examine their smiles to watch for issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, or developing misalignment, and take action to alleviate them and protect smile stability. These visits also let kids become accustomed to seeing the dentist, and allow us to impart good oral hygiene information. Your children are less likely to form dental anxiety and more likely to continue caring for their smiles as adults!
In the same visit, we will also take the time to clean the teeth. With an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool, our team will gently remove all plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth. We then polish them, which not only brightens the smile, but limits the ability for plaque and tartar to form in between cleaning visits. Kids also enjoy fresher breath!
Treating Cavities with Fillings
If we do discover a cavity, we have a safe and gentle restoration to offer relief. With our dental fillings, we can provide a composite resin material that is safe for kids of all ages, even babies and toddlers. Treatment stops decay and discomfort, and prevents the cavity from leading to an infection, which could otherwise cause worsening pain and premature tooth loss. In one visit, we treat the cavity and offer relief.
How to Help Prevent Cavities
Our team can also provide preventive treatments designed to help lower the risk of cavities in childhood. As part of your child’s checkup visit, we will apply a special fluoride varnish that strengthens the outer enamel to make cavities less likely. Fluoride occurs naturally and strengthens enamel, which is why we also recommend kids use a toothpaste with fluoride. Dental sealants can help too. These are thin acrylic layers that we add to the rear teeth, the molars kids have a hard time reaching them when they brush and floss. The placement takes seconds, but they can remain for up to ten years!
SCHEDULE YOUR CHILD’S NEXT APPOINTMENT TODAY
Our team is ready to help children of all ages enjoy good oral health and beautiful smiles, so schedule a cosmetic appointment today. Call or text us at Greenview Dentistry in Rochester, MN, today at (507) 281-3659.
