Marshfield Preventative dental Care

Protect Teeth from Cavities

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are another highly effective preventative treatment, designed to shield the permanent molars and protect them from cavities. Treatment involves the application of a small, thin layer of resin. This resin is painted onto the teeth after they have been cleaned. Once dental sealants bond and harden, they can protect your child’s teeth from cavities for years.

Reverse And Treat Gum Disease

Periodontal Care

Minor cases of gum disease, known as gingivitis, are quite common in children. Common symptoms of gingivitis include gum and tooth sensitivity, bleeding when brushing or flossing, and discoloration of the gums. To ensure that this condition does not progress into a more serious case of gum disease, Dr. Julie can help with cleanings and other periodontal procedures to ensure your child’s mouth remains healthy.

Why Is Preventive Care

Important for children?

Preventive dental care is important for children because children are more prone to tooth decay and cavities than adults due to their thinner enamel. Emphasizing the importance of practicing good oral hygiene will also help them form a positive relationship with dental care at an early age. 
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By explaining how taking care of their teeth and gums keeps them healthy and treating the dentist as someone who will count their teeth and keep them in good condition, you reduce dental anxiety. 
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Preventive care is a cost-effective and minimally invasive way to avoid serious oral health issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. Time is of the essence when it comes to dental care so once these problems form, you must detect them early while they’re still reversible. 
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Leaving decay and gum disease untreated will necessitate costly, lengthy, and invasive dental procedures that could have been avoided in the first place.

How Do You Teach A Child

Good Oral Hygiene?

How you should teach a child good oral hygiene depends on their age but the basics remain the same - you should only speak about the dentist and oral hygiene in positive terms, avoid scary and negative words like “needle” or “pain” and demonstrate the proper way to care for their teeth and gums.
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For babies, you should take them to their first dental visit by their first birthday or sooner if they receive their first tooth before then. Even though babies don’t have teeth yet, you still need to wipe their gums with a clean wet cloth. 
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When your baby receives their first tooth, brush it twice a day with a small baby toothbrush and water. Make sure the bristles are soft. The use of fluoride toothpaste under 2 years old depends on your child’s teeth and you should ask your dentist about this.
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Children under 6 can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and should brush twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush for at least 2 minutes and should be flossing once a day. You will need to show your child how to brush thoroughly and properly. 
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Children don’t have the proper motor skills to brush their teeth on their own until they are about 7 or 8. You will need to brush their teeth for them until they can start to do it on their own and even then, you should monitor them. Take your child to the dentist every 6 months for regular cleanings and checkups. 

Why Should I Take Care Of My Child's Baby Teeth

If They Will Just Fall out?

Your child’s oral health starts at the very beginning of life, even before they have teeth. This is why it’s important to wipe your baby’s gums to remove bacteria in the mouth. Once your child does receive their teeth, they must take care of them by regularly brushing and flossing. 
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Sure, your child will lose their deciduous teeth when they naturally fall out, but that’s not an excuse to neglect them. For once, deciduous teeth can become decayed and infected just like adult teeth. 
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Because they’re more prone to tooth decay so you need to be extra vigilant to prevent this from happening. Damage to your child’s dental pulp from dental trauma or an infection of the tooth will cause your child immense pain and discomfort and may result in the need for invasive treatments like root canals or extractions. 
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Aside from costing money, taking time, and being uncomfortable, your child must maintain the health of their natural teeth. Losing a baby tooth prematurely will require the placement of a space maintainer until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. 
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This is because, without it, the surrounding teeth will shift, causing orthodontic problems, overcrowding, and blocking the eruption of the permanent tooth. All of these problems can be avoided with preventative care.

Keep Your Little One Smiling Bright

Visit Marshfield Pediatric Dentistry Today!