Starting your little one off on the right foot when it comes to oral health and dental hygiene only aids in acquiring a healthy smile for life. Indeed, future concerns such as severe decay, infection, and tooth loss can be easily avoided by establishing a proper routine early on while also encouraging children to become excited about their health. At times, however, developing grins could use a little bit of a boost to ensure success. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI dentist will address the importance in maintaining the healthy development of younger grins by utilizing a sealant or fluoride treatment to add a boost of strength.
Keeping an Eye on Healthy Development
When it comes to preventing infection or other harms from affecting your child’s smile, keep in mind that they need just as much, if not more care and support. This means making sure to properly brush and floss at home as well as attending routine dental examinations and cleanings to ensure healthy development. Additionally, setting the example for little smiles can go a long way in instilling those lifelong skills, and making sure to take the time to ensure proper brushing and flossing techniques will help. What’s more, pay mind to the types of foods and beverages consumed, as a number of items contain high levels of acidity, sugars, or darker pigmentations that feed oral bacteria or cause harm to your grin.
Preventing Decay
During your child’s scheduled checkup, your dentist may recommend the use of a simple treatment to not only boost the strength of your little one’s grin, but prevent harmful bacteria from causing decay. One of the treatment options includes a dental sealant, which involves painting a thin layer of acrylic over the tops of the back molars in order to occupy any nooks and crannies present that oral bacteria may be hiding. These microorganisms thrive in warm, moist, hard-to-reach places where they can grow and continue to wreak havoc on your child’s grin. The dental sealant provides a barrier between the tooth and the bacteria, supporting proper development with added strength.
Extra Protection from Other Harms
Another option to provide an extra level of protection for tiny grins is the use of a fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that is present in tap water and the toothpaste you use. This gel is applied to the surface of the front teeth in order to help strengthen weakened spots in enamel, thus reinforcing your child’s strength in protecting harm that may arise from foods, bacteria, and more.
Schedule Your Child’s Appointment
Tiny smiles sometimes need a little help, and that’s what are team is here to do. Contact Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI by calling 248-693-6213 to learn more or to schedule your son or daughter’s dental visit with our team today.