Preventive strategies in dental care include any procedure or habit that helps your
child maintain good oral health. Taking care of your child's teeth and gums starts
when their first tooth arrives and continues throughout life. Interestingly, the habits
and feelings that are formed in childhood often create a path to either good or poor
dental health over a person’s entire lifetime. Let's discuss some essential practices to
keep your kiddo's smile gleaming and bright!
Benefits of Preventive Dental Care
Regular dental care, with prevention in mind, can improve your child's oral health
and overall well-being. Proper dental care is crucial to maintaining whole-body
health. It lowers your child's risk for gum disease, tooth decay, and other serious
dental issues. With regular exams and cleanings, dental problems can be prevented
and identified early, helping minimize more extensive treatments and costs.
Seeing the dentist regularly is so important that most dental insurance plans cover
preventive services such as dental cleanings and exams at least every six months.
Daily Practices for Good Oral Hygiene
Regular Brushing and Flossing
One of the most important things you can teach your child to do is brush their teeth
twice a day. In the beginning, you will need to brush their teeth in order to clean
each surface of every tooth well. It is also a good idea to brush their tongue to
remove bacteria. When they get older and can properly handle a toothbrush, they
can begin to brush their teeth themselves, with your supervision, until they are
finally able to brush completely on their own. It is best to use soft-bristled
toothbrushes and replace your child's toothbrush every three to four months or
when the bristles fray. Here is a great guide to teaching your kids how to brush their
teeth.
Children who may swallow toothpaste (usually those under 3 years old) should use
fluoride-free toothpaste that is only the size of a grain of rice. Once they can
consistently spit out toothpaste, then they can begin using the same amount of
fluoride toothpaste. A child between 3 and 6 years old can begin using a pea-size
amount.
Flossing at least once daily to clean the spaces between teeth can prevent food from
getting trapped, remove buildup, and help prevent gum disease. This should start
once your child has two teeth next to each other. As with brushing, you will need to
floss for your child for the first several years until they have the coordination to
handle the floss themselves.
A Balanced Diet Makes Stronger Teeth and Healthier Gums
Eating the right foods and avoiding the ones that are harmful to your teeth is another
way to incorporate healthy habits. Following the suggestions below will not only lead
to healthier smiles but can improve and maintain their overall health:
● Avoid foods with added sugars.
● Discourage acidic soft drinks and beverages, especially those with sugar added.
● Limit lots of snacks.
● Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
● Eat various veggies and fruits to ensure they get enough vitamins and
minerals.
Preventive Dental Services In the Office
Dental Exams Twice a Year
We recommend that children first see a dentist around the time their first tooth
erupts - or by the time they turn one year old. Regular dental exams should usually
occur every six months for cleanings and checkups until they are old enough to
“graduate” to an adult dentist. Regular dental exams and cleanings will keep that
smile healthy and bright!
Establishing a “dental home” allows children to feel comfortable in our office and
allows us to monitor their progress. We intentionally create a safe, comfortable, fun
environment that children may begin to look forward to visiting - in the hopes that it
provides the start of a lifetime of positive dental experiences!
When you visit us, we can educate your family with proper dental hygiene tips that
will reduce the chances that your child will need restorative services. Dr. Culp and our
staff can answer any of your questions and speak with your child about positive
habits to add to their day.
X-rays
X-rays allow our team to see areas between teeth that may have decay, and monitor
dental development and tooth eruption. We use digital X-rays, which use a sensor
instead of film and expose your child to less radiation than a conventional X-ray.
Fluoride Treatments
The ADA also recommends that children younger than six who are at high risk for
cavities (dental caries) receive topical fluoride treatments or fluoride
varnishes. Fluoride is a mineral found in nature that strengthens tooth enamel.
Fluoride treatments can prevent or even sometimes reverse tooth decay. However,
each person is different, and we can provide individual recommendations for your
child.
Dental Sealants for Children
We may recommend dental sealants. They help seal the pits and grooves on the
chewing surfaces of the child's teeth to keep food particles and bacteria from getting
trapped in these areas. They are often applied to permanent molars and create a
smoother surface that is easier to clean.
Other Helpful Practices
Avoid Extended Thumb Sucking and Use of Pacifiers
Using a pacifier or sucking on a thumb is perfectly normal and allows a child to
self-soothe. However, extended thumb sucking and pacifier use (usually past age 4)
are habits that can eventually impact your little one's dental development in various
ways, such as misaligned teeth and bite irregularities (overbite, open bite, or
crossbite). Children sucking their thumbs or using a pacifier for extended times can
also cause the palate (roof of the mouth) to change and the teeth to be misaligned
by the pressure forced on it.
Protect Your Young Athlete's Teeth with a Mouthguard When Playing Sports
Nearly every sport can cause mouth injuries, so anytime your child plays as part of a
team or individual, consider a mouthguard. Custom-made mouthguards are designed
specifically for your child's mouth and provide the best protection. Boil-and-bite
mouthguards are another great option.
If your child wears braces, wearing a sports mouthguard to protect their dental
appliance is even more critical. Getting hit in the mouth can not only cause damage
to their braces and teeth, but the braces can damage their cheeks and lips. A good
mouthguard will help reduce the chance of injury to your child's mouth.
Take great care of your child's mouthguard and encourage them to do the same.
Teach them to keep it clean and dry and in its case when it's not in their mouth. Show
them how to clean it effectively and make sure to replace it if it gets worn or
damaged.
The Power of Preventive Dental Care for a Healthier Smile
Preventative dentistry and doing your part to help your child develop healthy habits
will help them maintain optimal dental health so they can shine that beautiful smile
for a lifetime! Good oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits significantly reduce
your child's risk of developing dental problems and medical conditions that can even
be life-threatening over time.
Come and visit Dr. Culp and our team at Jungle Roots Dentistry! We’d love to provide
dental services to your children and orthodontic services for the whole family. We are
privileged to be your dental home!
