Our team wants to help your kids avoid the onset of cavities. Tooth decay is common in little smiles and without care, could be a link to infection and premature tooth loss. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist talks about how we use dental sealants and fluoride to lower the risk of tooth decay!
Cavities and Little Smiles
How does a cavity form in your child’s smile? The outer enamel is designed to prevent the onset of decay by offering a layer of protection between your sensitive dentin and harmful oral bacteria. But poor oral hygiene could allow plaque and tartar buildup to accumulate, which weakens the outer enamel and erodes it. Factors include poor brushing and flossing habits, a diet high in sugar and starch, and infrequent visits for dental cleanings. As the cavity grows in severity, your child could report tooth sensitivity or toothaches. Treatment is crucial for avoiding the onset of an infection or the premature loss of a tooth. But our team not only treats decay with a filling, we can offer treatments to lower the risk of cavities.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are an acrylic layer that we add to the molars, the rear teeth kids have trouble reaching when they brush and floss. The layers provide a barrier of protection so food and drink parties cannot be trapped between the molars, where cavities often form in little smiles. The application takes a few seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink as the material cures. The layers can stay in place for up to ten years and wear away gradually, staying the longest on the more vulnerable portions of the teeth.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride has been shown to strengthen the outer enamel, even areas that have weakened due to plaque and tartar buildup. We will apply this to the smile in a varnish form, which takes seconds. Kids then just have to avoid eating or drinking for about a half hour. This can be applied during each checkup visit every six months. We also recommend a fluoride toothpaste when kids brush, a pea-sized amount for those three and older, a rice-sized amount for those three and younger.
Dental Cleanings
Dental cleanings every six months are helpful too, as this is an opportunity to remove all plaque and tartar, and even polish the smile to limit how much buildup can occur in between visits. If you have any questions, then contact our team today.
Schedule Your Child’s Checkup Visit Today
Call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatrics in Shirley, NY, at 631.399.1600 to book a consultation to learn more about the treatments we can offer to help your kids avoid the onset of tooth decay.
Recent Comments