Although helpful, daily brushing for children does not prevent all cavities. There are several other reasons why children could get cavities. If you want to maintain your child’s oral health, visit your pediatric dentist once every 6 months for cleaning and fluoride treatments. Here’s how a pediatric dental specialist will help your child prevent cavities:
Routine Dental Checkups
Routine dental checkups are useful for your child’s good oral health. Professionals typically recommend checkups every six months. These checkups allow dentists to identify issues before they cause cavities and treat them. If left unchecked, stubborn plaque, tartar, and crowded teeth can increase the risk of cavities. A pediatric dental specialist will examine your child’s teeth and offer preventive treatments, including professional dental cleanings. Other preventive treatments your child can benefit from include:
Fluoride Treatments
Bacteria from plaque produce acids that can damage your child’s tooth enamel. This eventually results in early decay and cavities. A dentist might use fluoride treatment to make the tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks. Fluoride strengthens the enamel and repairs the damage caused by acid attacks.
Dental Sealants
When properly applied, dental sealants can prevent 80% of cavities in molars for up to 2 years. Pediatric dentists apply sealants over the chewing surface of your child’s teeth. The sealant fills grooves and pits between the back teeth, covering spaces where food particles and plaque can accumulate. This area of the mouth is a common growing spot for cavities.
Orthodontic Treatments
Professionals may use orthodontics to prevent cavities in children. They will examine your child’s teeth to determine the appropriate procedure, like braces or Invisalign. While these procedures won’t prevent cavities directly, they correct teeth misalignment, crowded teeth, and gaps between teeth. Having these issues allows food particles and bacteria to accumulate between the spaces of your child’s teeth. They can also make it difficult to brush and floss teeth evenly. Once corrected, bacteria have a harder time finding space to accumulate.
Restorative Dental Treatments
Dentists will check for any symptoms of early cavities and determine the right restorative treatment. The aim is to prevent cavities from developing further once they have already happened. One of the restorative treatments a dental specialist may offer is fillings. Dentists can use composite materials to fill in areas with mild cavities that have been drilled out. These fillings are durable and restore the shape and size of your child’s teeth. It also prevents plaque and tartar buildup that might accelerate cavities.
Your pediatric dental specialist can also recommend crowns to cover the affected teeth. Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps placed over decaying teeth. When properly installed, crowns will create a barrier over the decaying teeth to prevent the accumulation of debris and bacteria.
Choosing a Trusted Pediatric Dentist for Your Child
Early dental care helps prevent cavities and promote good oral health. To keep your child’s teeth healthy, start by choosing the right pediatric dental specialist. These specialists should cater to your child’s unique needs to prevent the occurrence or development of cavities. They should also educate you on how to help your child brush and floss effectively. Contact an experienced dentist today to learn more about ways they can prevent cavities in children.
