As adults, we understand dental care as a simple task. You make an appointment with your dentist twice a year have your teeth examined and cleaned, or a cavity taken care of. Yep, simple enough. Now is that the same for a child? The short answer is yes, but in reality the answer is more complicated and requires an experienced dentist.
Just like when your child becomes ill and you take them to a pediatrician, the same is true for oral care. Seeing a dentist that has experience treating children is essential. Children’s mouths take more precision and technique to clean and therefore they are more likely to build up and decay. A dentist experienced in pediatrics is able to clean more efficiently (shorter appointment times), catch potential problem areas before they escalate into very large problems, and use preventative dentistry specific to children.
To ensure the best start for your children’s dental health in 2020, here are a few tips we recommend to follow:
While trying to pacify a baby, it’s common practice to put them down for a nap with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. As healthy as these food items are, however, they contain sugar and when they stay in the mouth for too long, it leads to bacterial buildup and tooth decay. To best preserve the health of baby teeth, it is healthier to pacify your baby with water.
To help small children ingest medicine, it usually needs to be sweet in flavor. Because of the high sugar content, when these medicines stick to your child’s teeth, it increases the risk of tooth decay. Some asthma medications have been known to lead to oral thrush; this appears as creamy patches inside the mouth or on the tongue.
While they undergo long-term treatment, it may be important to brush your child’s teeth as many as 4 times daily. Talk to our dentist about it.
Taking your child to the dentist at an early age is a part of preventive care. Also, by getting ahead of any dental issues, you will likely save yourself some money in their formative years. When you go for your own checkup, have the dentist look at your child’s teeth as well.
At Smileplicity Dentistry, Dr. Atari is well experienced in treating both children and adults and understands the specific needs of childrens’ dental care. Ask us about our Smile Forever Program, our membership program for the whole family. Contact us at (919) 298-2308 today.
