Even though your child’s teeth are going to fall out eventually, the health of your child’s teeth can have ramifications that affect the quality of their adult smile. It is absolutely vital for the future health of your child’s smile to be as persistent with the maintenance of their baby teeth as you are with your adult teeth. Thankfully, there are some easy steps that you can take to keep your child’s smile healthy.
Hygiene Education
Teaching your child how to brush and flush their teeth at an early age can be difficult for several reasons. Not only is it hard for them to do the act themselves, it can also be hard to convey how necessary it is to do it regularly for the sake of their dental health. Brushing and flossing regularly as a family is a great way to not only show them how to actually do it, but it also makes it fun for them! Allowing them to choose their own brush will help them feel empowered and excited about brushing. Be sure the brush they choose is ADA-approved and has soft bristles that won’t damage their tooth enamel.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a great way to protect your child’s teeth from tooth decay. Their dentist paints a clear plastic coating over the chewing surfaces of the molars, preventing plaque from accumulating in the crevices along the surfaces of their teeth and forming cavities. They’re undetectable to the naked eye and can last up to five to ten years.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatment helps remineralize your child’s teeth by applying a strong concentration of fluoride directly to their teeth using a swab or rinse. When introduced to a tooth’s enamel, fluoride promotes the rate of growth and size of enamel crystals. Fluoride is a key mineral in keeping you and your child’s teeth healthy.