Helping Kids Avoid Cavities

cleveland children's dentistry

Cavities could lead to discomfort to your child’s smile, and could even increase the risk of infection or the premature loss of primary teeth. To help protect their smiles, they need children’s dentistry. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist talks about helping kid avoid cavities with preventive dentistry.

Starting Children’s Dentistry

When should you bring your child in for a visit? An initial visit often follows the arrival of the first baby tooth, while regular checkups and cleanings usually begin once your child is at age two. These regular visits allow us to watch your little one’s smile as he or she grows, so we can identify areas of concern and treat them before they threaten oral health. Examples include the early signs of cavities, gingivitis, and the warning signs of developing misalignment. In the same visit, we also clean the teeth to remove harmful layers of plaque and tartar, which helps fight cavities, bad breath, teeth stains, and more.

Fluoride and Dental Sealants

During your child’s checkup visit, we will take time to apply a special topical fluoride gel to the teeth. The gel helps remineralize the weakened portions of tooth structure, so your little one is less likely to develop cavities. Application takes only a few minutes, and kids just need to avoid food or drink for about 30 minutes. We also have a preventive option that can last much longer. Dental sealants are a special acrylic coating that we add to the rear teeth. The molars are often hard for kids to reach when they brush and floss, and as a result, are more likely to develop tooth decay. But the sealants prevent particles of food and drink from becoming stuck between these teeth, limiting the risk of cavities for up to ten years! Even as they wear away, they cling the longest to the more vulnerable portions of tooth structure.

When Kids Need a Filling

If we do discover a cavity, we want to treat it. Even if this occurs in a baby tooth, it could be weeks or months, or even years, before the tooth falls out naturally. Which means lack of treatment could cause an infection and premature tooth loss, which itself is a recipe for dental misalignment. With our dental fillings, we offer a lifelike and durable repair, and one that takes only one visit to complete.

If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, then contact our team today to learn more.

Talk To Your Cleveland, TX Dentist About Children’s Dentistry

We would like to help kids of all ages enjoy good oral health. For more information on helping kids enjoy optimal oral health, then contact your Cleveland, TX, dentist, Dr. Uhrenholdt, by calling (281) 592-1234.