We don’t just offer dental care for adults. Our team can provide treatments to help safeguard little smiles against the onset of tooth decay and other common oral health issues. In today’s blog, your Richfield, MN, dentist talks about our approach to children’s dentistry.
Starting with a Checkup
Just like you, kids benefit from a dental checkup every six months. These visits enable us to closely examine the smile with advanced technology, making a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. Our team can then catch common issues like tooth decay or gingivitis in the early stages, and offer care to address them and preserve the smile. We also look for indicators of issues like misalignment too. These visits also offer a chance to instill good oral health habits and help them better understand the importance of routine care for their teeth and gums!
Cleaning Little Smiles
In the same visit, we will protect your kid with a dental cleaning. The procedure involves our team gently and thoroughly removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool. The procedure helps brighten the smile and also lowers the risk of cavities and gingivitis, fighting bad breath and teeth stains too. Even if your kids brush and floss daily, they still need cleanings to remove stubborn plaque and tartar buildup which could otherwise lead to issues like tooth decay.
Fluoride Treatments
To help fight the onset of cavities, our team could recommend a fluoride treatment during each checkup visit. Our team will apply fluoride directly to the teeth which strengthens the enamel, including the weakened portions that could become cavities down the road without care. The application takes seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 mites. Kids also benefit from fluoride in their toothpaste. We recommend kids three and younger use a rice sized amount, and kids three and older use a pea sized amount.
Dental Sealants
Even if your kids take time to brush and floss, they have trouble reaching the rear teeth. This enables food and drink particles to remain trapped between the molars, allowing cavities to form there. But with dental sealants, we add a protective layer of acrylic over these teeth. The sealants then keep food and drink particles from being trapped there and lower the risk of cavities. The sealants can stay in place for up to ten years and wear away gradually on their own. If you have any questions about how we protect children from cavities, then contact our team today.
Learn More About Children’s Dentistry
If you are interested in scheduling a visit for your child, give us a call at Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN today at (612)861-7188 to schedule an appointment.
