Cavities and dental infection can occur when the outer enamel that protects the tooth is worn down due to poor oral hygiene. But to help kids and adults alike avoid cavities, we can offer treatment to strengthen the enamel. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about how we help strengthen smiles with fluoride treatments.
Weakened Tooth Enamel and Tooth Decay
Our teeth are coated in a thin but durable layer of outer enamel. The material is the hardest in the human body and is crucial for preventing cavities and infection, because this prevents bacteria from coming into contact with sensitive inner tissues. But! When kids don’t brush and floss properly and eat a diet high on sugar, this could create plaque buildup and tartar that weakens and erodes the enamel, so the sensitive layers are exposed and cavities can form. The decay then grows with time and could cause an infection and even premature tooth loss without treatment. Fortunately, we can offer treatments to help lower the risk of tooth decay in little smiles.
Applying Fluoride
We recommend that every kid over the age of two undergo a routine checkup and cleaning visit every six months. During these visits we examine the smile for signs of trouble, creating a treatment plan to address them as needed. In addition, we clean the teeth by removing layers of plaque and tartar. But in the same sitting we can also help strengthen the outer enamel by applying fluoride. We apply this in seconds in a varnish form. The material then protects the weakened portions of enamel and keeps the teeth strong, so the risk of cavities and infections are much lower. Kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes as the material cures!
Choosing the Right Toothpaste
When kids brush and floss, we recommend a toothpaste that contains the ingredient too, as this can also help strengthen the outer enamel and keep smiles strong and cavity-free. Children under the age of two should use a rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and kids over the age of three should use a pea-sized amount. You can look for the word “fluoride” on the toothpaste packaging, or the American Dental Association (ADA)’s Seal of Acceptance.
If you have any questions about how our team will protect little smiles with fluoride treatment every few months, or if you would like to schedule the checkup and cleaning, then contact our team today to learn more.
Lowering Your Child’s Cavity Risk in Shirley, NY
By keeping outer enamel strong, we can help lower the risk of tooth decay in your child’s smile. To find out more about us, call Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY at 631.399.1600 today.
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