Our children’s dentist wants you to know that cavities are the top dental issue that affects children. Cavities are small holes that form on teeth due to acids made by bacteria in the mouth demineralizing and damaging teeth. It starts with demineralization until a hole forms on the tooth.
The demineralization state of tooth decay can be reversed with fluoride treatments, but there is no going back once a cavity has formed. To make things worse, a cavity will continue expanding until it opens up the pulp chamber or causes the tooth to break apart. Your child gets to deal with agonizing toothaches while all this is going on.
Fortunately, according to our children’s dentist, cavities are extremely easy to prevent. It starts with good oral hygiene and ends with regular visits to a dentist.
Looking for ways to keep your child cavity-free? Here are some tips from our dentist:
Good oral hygiene provides significant protection against tooth decay, which is caused by oral bacteria producing acids that damage teeth structures. These microorganisms consume the sugars in tiny food particles left in the mouth after meals. They form plaque, which coats teeth and produces acids that damage teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that builds up in the mouth, and it is responsible for the sticky feeling after sleep.
Plaque is one of the main factors responsible for tooth decay, but it can be removed by brushing and flossing teeth. That is why oral hygiene is so important for tooth decay. Plaque calcifies into tartar when left on teeth for more than a day, which increases a child’s risk of decay. Brushing and flossing do not help to remove tartar. A metal scaler is usually used to remove it during teeth cleaning. Like plaque, tartar houses bacteria, giving them a safe base to attack teeth from.
Good oral hygiene minimizes the time plaque spends on teeth and reduces the formation of tartar deposits. Our dentist recommends brushing teeth twice daily, using an antibacterial mouth rinse, and flossing daily. Teaching kids to brush their teeth or, at the very least, rinse their mouths after eating candy or other sweet snacks also helps to prevent cavities.
Fluoride treatments protect teeth from decay, and the procedure is safe for children as young as six months. Fluoride treatments for children often involve painting their teeth with a fluoride-infused varnish to prevent them from accidentally swallowing it.
Teeth cleanings are necessary to remove tartar deposits on teeth. The procedure can be performed on children who have reached their first birthday, and it involves using an ultrasonic tool or scaler to scrape off tartar deposits.
Dental sealants protect teeth from decay for up to three years. The procedure involves coating teeth with a composite varnish that blocks acids in the mouth from making direct contact with the biting surfaces of the treated teeth. They are typically recommended for a child’s molars to protect them from cavities.
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Good oral hygiene combined with preventative treatments can significantly reduce your child’s risk of decay. Call or stop by our Fullerton clinic to set up an appointment.
Request an appointment or call Fullerton Orthodontics & Children's Dentistry at 714-459-8060 for an appointment in our Fullerton office.
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