How Can Preventative Dentistry Protect Your Child’s Teeth?
Posted on July 5, 2023
For decades it’s been understood that preventative medical care can pay off in improved health over a lifetime, and this is no less true when dentistry is the medical care in question. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 34 million school hours a year are lost to dental emergencies. Some of these emergencies are the result of impact injuries from contact sports such as football and ice hockey. But some are the result of poor dental care that can date back to early childhood. Preventive dental care can help your kids avoid dental emergencies and other problems that will impact their future smiles.
What Is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is the branch of dental science that concerns detecting and correcting oral health problems before they become problems. It aims to protect your child’s lifetime health by cleaning plaque, detecting gum disease, and fighting tooth decay before they have a chance to set in, from the time your child’s first tooth erupts until their full set of adult teeth has erupted, and beyond. Good oral health leads to a lifetime of health benefits for your child.
Dental Mouth Guards
While there have been tremendous improvements in the field of boil-and-bite mouthguards in recent years, with the justly praised Sisu Aero leading the pack, getting a mouthguard formed by your family dentists guarantees superior protection. If your child is interested in football, hockey, or other full-contact sports, a better mouthguard is a crucial tool.
Fluoride Treatments
Every day your child’s teeth shed small amounts of enamel, which the use of fluoride toothpaste builds back up. Fluoride can reverse early damage to your teeth and it’s so important to oral health that it’s usually added to municipal drinking water. Fluoride treatments from your family dentists enhance this early treatment to make sure that your kids’ teeth are protected.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
Your regular trip to the dentist and the associated exam and cleaning is a critical part of your child’s oral health regimen. You might not think of it, but dental cleaning is the first line of defense against all the problems outlined above. Your family dentists can discuss treatment options with you if your child has started to show early signs of tooth decay or gum disease.
Proper oral care is crucial for everyday life and your child’s health. Make an appointment with Creekside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry today!
