Did you know that we offer care for kids too? With children’s dentistry, we can help little smiles of all ages stay strong and healthy, and avoid the onset of issues like tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about how we help little smiles stay bright and strong with our approach to children’s dentistry.
Your Child’s Checkup
The checkup is a chance to examine your child’s smile, and uncover any issues that could potentially threaten the health and stability of the smile, such as tooth decay, dental infection, or premature loss of baby teeth, or baby teeth that fail to fall out on schedule. Our team can then create a treatment plan to address these concerns. But the exam is also a chance for our team to talk to your little ones about proper oral hygiene habits and the importance of caring for their smiles. These visits can limit dental anxiety and help your little ones be more likely to continue caring for their smiles in adulthood.
Dental Cleanings
In the same visit, we also offer a dental cleaning to protect the smile, removing the harmful layers of plaque and tartar that could increase the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and gingivitis. We will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to gently break up and remove the layers of plaque and tartar from the teeth. We then polish the teeth, which not only brightens the smile, but also helps limit how much plaque and tartar can accumulate before the next six month appointment.
Fluoride Treatments
Our team also offers preventive treatments to help lower the risk of cavities. During each checkup visit, we can apply a special fluoride varnish to the teeth. This mineral is naturally-occurring and has been shown to strengthen enamel, even weakened portions, to help prevent cavities from forming. We will apply the material in seconds and they just need to avoid food and drink for a half hour as the material cures. When they brush their teeth, they also need to use a fluoride toothpaste. We suggest a rice sized amount for kids under the age of three, and a pea sized amount for kids over the age of three. Let’s keep enamel strong and cavities at bay!
Dental Sealants
Many children, even if they brush and floss, have trouble reaching the molars. These are the teeth that sit at the rear of the mouth. When food and drink particles become trapped between them and kids can’t reach them when they brush and floss, this could increase the risk of cavities. But we can help with dental sealants! Our team will apply a special acrylic coating to these rear teeth. The application only takes a few seconds and as with fluoride treatments, kids need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes as it cures. The sealants are an acrylic coating that prevents food and drink particles from being stuck on or between the teeth, lowering the risk of cavities. They can stay in place for as long as ten years in some cases, and we can re-apply as needed. No need to remove them, as they wear away with time.
Better Brushing and Flossing Habits
To help your kids enjoy good oral health, we want to see them every six months for a checkup and cleaning. But what about in between these visits? With good oral hygiene habits, you can help protect your little ones from the onset of tooth decay and gingivitis. Make sure your children brush in the morning and at night for two minutes. You can assist or monitor them as needed, and time them with a sand timer or even a fun song or video. They also need to floss every evening before going to bed. You should limit how much sugar and starch are in their diets too, and warn them about the dangers of tobacco products. These actions can help them enjoy good oral health and a beautiful smile for years to come!
If you have any questions about how our team will improve oral health for kids of all ages, or if you want to schedule your child’s first visit of 2025, then contact our team today to learn more. We look forward to helping your child smile with confidence!
Talk to Your Lake Orion, MI Dentist’s Office About Children’s Dentistry
We want to help your little ones enjoy strong and healthy smiles. To schedule an appointment for your children, then call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
