Children need routine care, both at home and in our office, to protect their teeth from cavities and infections. In today’s blog, we’re going to look at the treatments and preventive strategies we offer for families in Richfield, MN. Let’s find out what you can do to help your kids maintain optimal oral health!
Checkups and Cleanings for Kids of All Ages
The first visit should happen at around age one, and after that, kids of all ages benefit from routine checkup and cleaning visits every six months. Attending these visits has been shown to reduce dental anxiety, help them be more likely to continue attending visits as adults, and obtain a better understanding of their oral health. The checkup is a chance to examine the smile to watch for signs of trouble, and make sure your child is brushing and flossing properly. The cleaning is a chance to remove all plaque and tartar, which not only improves breath freshness and teeth stains, but lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental Fillings
When your child has a cavity, this could lead to tooth sensitivity and toothaches. Unless addressed, the decay could lead to an infection, with worsening discomfort and the risk of premature tooth loss, a major factor in the onset of dental misalignment. To treat cavities, we often place a metal-free composite resin filling that we shade to blend with the rest of the tooth. Placement only takes one visit!
Fluoride and Sealants
Our team also offers treatment options to strengthen smiles and reduce the risk of tooth decay. For example, during each checkup visit our team members may apply a special fluoride varnish to the teeth. The varnish then strengthens the outer enamel to avoid demineralization and enamel erosion, preventing cavities. Since kids have trouble reaching the rear teeth when they brush and floss, we may also offer dental sealants.
A thin layer of acrylic is applied to the rear teeth, the application taking minutes and the sealants then staying in place for five to ten years on average. The layer prevents food from becoming caught between the teeth, so the risk of cavities is significantly reduced. They wear away with time, and if needed we can re-apply in future visits. If you have any questions about our routine checkup and cleaning appointments for kids, or about our preventive fluoride and sealants, then contact our team today.
Your Richfield, MN Dentist’s Office Provides Children’s Care
At our Richfield, MN dentist’s office, we want to help protect babies, toddlers, and kids from serious oral health issues. To find out more about how we help safeguard little smiles against cavities, then please call Cedar West Family Dentistry at (612) 861-7188.
