Your children need care at home to avoid poor oral health, such as daily brushing and flossing. But they also benefit from treatment at our office. In today’s blog, your Syosset, NY, dentist will discuss how our unique preventive treatments could strengthen little smiles, and how a simple cleaning could effectively keep cavities and gingivitis at bay.
The Causes of Tooth Decay
How do children develop cavities? Just as it is with adults, the causes often include diets high in sugar and starch, and poor brushing and flossing habits. These factors lead to plaque buildup, weakened enamel, and the onset of tooth decay. Cavities grow and spread with time, so your little one could eventually complain about aching or sensitive teeth. Lack of treatment then means infection, and for some kids, premature tooth loss, a major factor in the onset of dental misalignment. To help limit tooth decay, we suggest offering healthier snacks and more water, and making sure your little ones don’t nap or fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup of juice or milk. Help them brush and floss daily too!
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
When you see us for a checkup, our team will examine your child’s smile for signs of demineralization and often common warning signs of imminent cavities. To help strengthen smiles, we could apply a fluoride varnish during each visit. Fluoride helps provide new strength for weakened enamel, preventing bacteria from reaching sensitive structure to cause tooth decay. We also have dental sealants. Simply put, this is an acrylic layer that we coat the rear molars with. These teeth are often hard for kids to reach and clean thoroughly when they brush and floss. Particles remain trapped between them, left for bacteria to break down. However, the sealants stay in place for between 5 and 10 years on average, preventing anything from becoming trapped between these hard-to-reach teeth.
Professional Dental Cleanings
We also help with a dental cleaning. Every six months, we will use an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual tool to break up and remove all plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) from the teeth. Doing so helps prevent cavities, and also safeguards against bad breath, teeth stains, and gingivitis. If we do discover a cavity, then we could address the issue in one visit with a lifelike and durable dental filling. If you have any questions about protecting little smiles from tooth decay, then please contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About Children’s Dentistry?
Kids need care at home and in the office to protect their smiles, which is why the team at Syosset Dental in Syosset, NY provides treatment with children’s dentistry. Contact our office at (516) 433-2211 to schedule your appointment today.
