Dental health is something that affects the overall wellness of the body, making pediatric dentistry a key part of any child’s overall welfare. Some parents may be concerned about dental procedures for children, especially when it comes to comfort levels, the frequency of office visits and decisions to make if a child has early signs of dental issues. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to make sure a child’s dental health is up to standards and that they are getting exactly what they need.
Procedures offered by pediatric dentistry offices
Sealants
Maintaining tooth health is a key point of pediatric dentistry. For this reason, sealants are frequently used. These are plastic coatings that are usually applied to the back teeth or tops of teeth where the food is chewed. They are effective barriers against cavities since they prevent food from settling into the natural grooves of the teeth. As these sealants can last from five to 10 years, they can be a good investment for a child’s overall tooth health.
Treating tooth decay
Unfortunately, even the most vigilant of brushers can find themselves dealing with cavities at some point in their life. This is even truer for children, who often do not have the patience needed to brush thoroughly and may not remember to floss every day.
When dealing with tooth decay such as cavities, it can impact gum tissue, nerves in the tooth and the tooth itself. Early treatment of cavities can prevent a child from having to go through more severe procedures like tooth extraction. For example, surface-level cavities can be treated with fillings.
Deeper cavities, on the other hand, may need to be extracted or a root canal may be necessary. The sooner these problems are caught, the more likely it will be that such procedures can be avoided.
Interceptive orthodontic care
A key point of pediatric dentistry is prevention. Early detection of dental problems can help your child avoid having to go through potentially severe procedures. Likewise, a dentist can keep track of a child’s orthodontic health as well. Early orthodontic care involves looking at the bite, identifying crooked or crowded teeth and taking steps to ensure that adult teeth come in where they should be.
Cavity prevention
Cavities are a big concern of any parent, but they do not have to occur. There are plenty of ways to help prevent cavities from a young age. These include:
- Teeth cleanings every six months
- Fluoride treatments to strengthen minerals
- Regular X-rays to see the growth of the mouth
It is particularly important for children to have their teeth examined regularly. The mouth and teeth of children go through rapid changes at a fast pace. Some issues, such as demineralization, may occur in just a few months. These fast changes are why six months is the maximum time to wait between teeth cleanings and X-rays. Children who have poor dental health may be required to visit more frequently.
Pediatric dentistry keeps your children healthy
To keep up with the fast changes in a child’s mouth, frequent visits to the dentist are of crucial importance. Pediatric dentistry can help your child’s smile stay bright, clean and strong for a long time to come. Call our office to schedule a visit with a pediatric dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://novapedsdentistry.com or call Nova Pediatric Dentistry at (201) 812-2952 for an appointment in our Dumont office.
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