Is there anything cuter in the world than seeing your child smile as big as they can because they’re just so happy? It’s straight up heartwarming. Of course, your child’s teeth are a big part of that. More than just being a cute feature in your favorite smile (or smiles, as the case may be), their teeth are also the tools they use to bite and chew their food. Their importance means that steps must be taken to protect them. That often means utilizing preventive dentistry.
This one may seem a little obvious, but a huge part of the point of having teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis is to prevent problems down the road. A professional cleaning allows the dentist to take a good, close look at the teeth, catch any signs of trouble, and address them before they become more serious. It’s the only way to get any calculus that has developed removed from the teeth, since regular tooth brushing doesn’t cut it with this stuff. If you want to prevent cavities and dental decay, schedule and attend regular dental cleanings.
Sometimes it’s hard to really get in there and get every surface of every tooth thoroughly clean. The back teeth can be particularly tricky. They tend to have grooves, pits, and fissures on the biting surface that make great places for bacteria to hide. If left alone, cavities will eventually form. That’s where sealants come in. Sealants are applied to these teeth, filling the spaces where bacteria would otherwise make themselves a little too much at home and protecting the teeth from decay.
Primary teeth are meant to fall out eventually. Sometimes things don’t quite go according to plan though. If a primary molar tooth falls out too early, that can jeopardize the space that it was holding for the permanent tooth that was meant to replace it. Other teeth will move in to fill the space, spelling trouble for when that permanent tooth finally does make it in. To prevent that, a space maintainer is used. Space maintainers stabilize the teeth around the gap and protect the space for the new tooth that will eventually grow in.
Preventive dentistry treatments and procedures allow Stellar Kids dentists like Dr. Lamba, Dr. Paul, and Dr. Emily a chance to be your ally in helping protect the health of your child’s teeth. Don’t be reactive when it comes to your child’s oral health. Take the proactive approach with preventive dentistry. Your child, your wallet, and your dentist will thank you.
Did you know that fluoride helps keep your child’s enamel strong? Click here to learn more about it from Stellar Kids Dentistry today!