You are doing everything in your power to keep your children smiling. But that same effort needs to extend to your child’s oral health, too. It is imperative to teach your children good oral hygiene habits so that they maintain these habits into adulthood, and their smile is bright, white, and happy as they age.
Some parents make the mistake of thinking that a child’s baby teeth are not the most important factor. After all, all their baby teeth will fall out eventually and will be replaced by permanent teeth.
Surprisingly, many parents underestimate the importance of maintaining good dental health for their child’s baby teeth. As a result, children are very sensitive to tooth decay and cavities. Here are some tips on preventing tooth decay in children provided by Mona Vale Dental.
Prevention Of Pediatric Tooth Decay
According to ABC Children’s Dentistry, one of the main reasons for the prevalence of dental caries in children is that young children cannot physically reach and adequately clean all the surfaces of their teeth and gums. If children do not use small children’s soft toothbrush, they will have more difficulty handling and using it properly to clean their teeth and gums.
source: youtube
Many pediatric dentists offer dental sealants as a means of preventing tooth decay in children because of the child’s inability to properly brush teeth and use dental floss.
Dental mastics are thin pieces of clear plastic that cover the child’s teeth. The sealants are made in such a way that the child does not notice them and can eat, drink, and talk normally. The mastics are very durable and are securely attached so there is no concern that they come off.
How To Treat Pediatric Tooth Decay
If a child does not receive a sealer and the dentist finds a cavity, several treatment options are available. The best treatment option will be determined by the amount of decayed tooth decay.
The cavity of a baby’s tooth can be expected to be treated differently from that of an adult tooth, but the caries of both teeth are treated in the same way. Although the baby teeth eventually fall apart and are replaced by permanent teeth, tooth decay can filter into the underlying permanent tooth.
The most common way to treat tooth decay in children is to use a traditional metal seal. Just like the cavities of adult teeth, the cavities of the milk teeth must be removed from the tooth and the opening of the tooth must be filled. Tooth-colored fillings are available for children’s cavities. Many parents choose metal fillings because they are much cheaper and more logical to use since the baby teeth will fall on their own.
source: pinterest
If tooth decay is more extensive, a crown may be placed on the tooth. The crowns will help keep the tooth structure intact while protecting it from damage and decay.
In extreme situations where the extent of the cavity is deep in the tooth or affects most of it, it can be extracted prematurely.
Dental caries in children is unfortunately too common. However, it is completely preventable thanks to good oral hygiene and a healthy and nutritious diet. Regular visits to the dentist allow the dentist to catch a cavity, limiting growth and progression. Even with a good diet and a healthy daily routine at home for oral health, it is still essential that your child see the dentist every six months for a medical examination that can help prevent cavities to prevent them from becoming more serious.