Preventive dentistry is to prevent decay and unhealthy dental problems from arising. If your pediatric dentist can teach you about preventive dentistry early you will understand it and possibly be able to stop dental problems such as decay, pain, and infection, before they ever begin.
Preventive dental care includes the following:
Proper nutrition and dietary habits- eating and drinking the wrong things can be detrimental to your dental health.
Brushing and flossing- at least 2 x a day. Brushing should begin from the moment your child gets their first tooth in
Fluoride- once every 6 months in your dental office and using fluoride toothpaste is recommended in most cases
Regular dental check-ups- Recommended every 6 months, especially for children. If you’re not careful, something small could turn into something big quickly
Assessing risk for developing cavities- this is done primarily through x-rays and exams
Evaluating oral growth and development- we do this by exams and by taking a Panoramic x-ray
Oral health education- we will explain proper brushing and flossing techniques and give out informational brochures
Protection against injuries- we are able to do mouth guards for your children if they are involved in sports of any kind
Management of oral habits-this is done through devices that can be placed by a pediatric dentist or orthodontist (i.e. thumb sucking appliance).
Guidance of erupting teeth- you bringing your child in for regular check ups and getting x rays allows us to be able to follow the teeth and possible catch any problems early rather than later
Sealants- These are one of the best preventive moves a parent can make! They are a plastic-like protective cover that we place on permanent 6 and 12 year molars; these help prevent bacteria from getting into the little grooves on the chewing surfaces
Each and every pediatric dentist should be a preventive dentist. Pediatric dentist are here to help create and maintain a health, happy smile to follow your children into adulthood.
