This message from Allen Park Dental Care is about children’s dental health.
Most parents make sure their child brushes their teeth. They do their best to limit candy and sugary drinks. And they make sure their son or daughter consumes sufficient amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Some parents go even further and limit between-meal snacks.
Despite parents’ best efforts, we treat tooth decay in young patients daily.
Parents should be aware that there are four additional weapons for preventing cavities in young kids and teenagers.
- Sealants
- Fluoride Supplements
- Oral Rinses
- Professional dental cleanings
The first children to benefit from dental sealants are in their fifties and sixties now. Since then, dental sealants have proven to be effective at minimizing pit and fissure tooth decay.
Resin dental sealants bond to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, shielding the pits and fissures from decay.
Fluoride supplements help strengthen still-forming teeth before they erupt. Note that if you have fluoridated water, we may advise against taking additional fluoride in supplement form.
If your youngster is taking fluoride supplements, is an oral rinse redundant? Actually, no. Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but a fluoride rinse helps teeth that have already come in. Make sure you select one specifically designed for children. Products labeled as a mouthwash may not contain fluoride. And they probably contain alcohol.
Oral rinses work best when children and adolescents swish after they brush and floss at night. The rinse should be the last substance to make contact with teeth before bed. This helps teeth re-mineralize during sleep.
Dental cleanings remove plaque that can’t be brushed away. Kids who receive twice-a-year teeth cleanings are less likely to are plagued with tooth decay, infection, or gum disease.
Allen Park Dental Care offers family and cosmetic dentistry and much more. People from Dearborn, Taylor, and Southgate trust us with their smiles. Call for an appointment today!
Contact Szalai & Szalai DDS – Allen Park Dental Care:
313-928-2323
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
5329 Allen Rd
Allen Park, Michigan
48101
