Kids need dental care just like adults do, and we want to help your children maintain good oral health. We take a preventive approach to help keep issues like tooth decay at bay and ensure little smiles stay bright and healthy. In today’s blog, your Kansas City, MO, dentist talks about our approach to children’s dentistry.
Your Child’s Exam and Cleaning
Just like you, kids need to see our team for checkup and cleaning visits. The first visit should occur just after the first baby tooth erupts, and is a simple wellness visit. Starting at around age two, kids should begin attending checkups every six months just like you do. The exam involves carefully watching for issues that could threaten little smiles, such as tooth decay or baby teeth failing to erupt or fall out on time, or issues with the arrival of the permanent teeth. In the same visit, we also clean your little one’s smile to lower their risk of cavities and gingivitis! Regular visits also help kids better understand the importance of good oral health, and make them less likely to develop dental anxiety.
Dental Sealants
Our team can also offer unique treatments to lower the risk of cavities. With dental sealants, we apply a unique acrylic coating to the rear teeth, the ones kids have trouble reaching when they brush and floss. The sealants prevent food and drink particles from being stuck between them, and lower the risk of cavities. We will clean the teeth, apply the sealants, and cure the materials, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes. The layers can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases, and wear away gradually with time.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens the weakened portions of enamel to prevent cavities from forming. With fluoride treatments, during each checkup visit we will apply a layer of the mineral in a varnish form. Your little ones then need to avoid food and drink for half an hour while it cures. This provides a layer of protection for little smiles. For this reason, kids should also use fluoride toothpaste when they brush, with children three and under using a rice-sized amount, and children three and older using a pea-sized blot.
If you have any questions about our approach to children’s dentistry, or if you would like to schedule your child’s first checkup and cleaning visit of 2024, then please reach out to our team today.
SCHEDULE A VISIT WITH DELIGHTFUL DENTAL CARE
Our team wants to help your little ones maintain good oral health. To schedule a visit with our team, give us a call at Delightful Dental Care in Kansas City, MO at (816)942-7669!