Preventive Care
Since we care only for children in our Burleson, TX dental office, we focus on the best way to create a healthy foundation for your little one’s smile. Healthy dentistry really starts from infancy. Good habits, consistent professional care, and preventive treatments can set the course for healthy teeth and gums.
Nutritional Guidelines for Healthy Teeth
We have all heard the facts about sugar and cavities, but that is really only part of the story. Other foods such as juice, milk, and carbohydrates can all contribute to tooth decay. Since carbohydrates such as crackers and bread convert to sugar during digestion, which begins in the mouth, foods that stay stuck in teeth can create an acidic environment, just like candy.
Eating a well-balanced diet at any age is good advice. Foods that are low in sugar, high in fiber, and contain valuable vitamins and minerals are best. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains is good for everyone, especially growing kids! Starting your little one off in life with the foods they need for a strong, healthy body will carry over to their teeth, as well.
In-between meal snacks should be avoided for good oral health. Of course, sometimes snacks happen! Trading in those chips and cookies for something healthier like cheese, fruit, yogurt, and vegetables will be beneficial. You might receive some protests at first, but kids adjust quickly to change. The right foods will provide them with good body fuel and brain-power during this crucial time of growth.
Home Care Instructions for Kids
Everyone knows that mantra that brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once daily will help prevent cavities, but the truth is that good home care goes beyond these simple instructions.
Proper techniques and doing a thorough job is important. Following the ADA-recommended guidelines for good oral care will help.
• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste and teach your child not to swallow the toothpaste.
• Use a soft toothbrush designed especially for kids’ small mouths.
• Brush the surface of each tooth, reaching all areas – front, back, in between, as well as the chewing surface of each tooth.
• Angle the toothbrush toward the gum line where plaque collects first.
• Brush gently side-to-side using the tips of the bristles. Extra pressure does not mean extra clean!
• Be sure to brush the tongue where bacteria can collect. It may tickle!
When flossing, be sure to floss both sides of each tooth, gently curving the floss around the tooth. Do not pull the floss through, if you can avoid it. For tightly aligned teeth, use flat or waxed floss.
Remember that most children will need help brushing and flossing until the age of eight, when their dexterity will allow your child to begin supervised oral care on their own. It’s still a good idea to do a spot check to make sure that they are getting all areas!
Preventive Treatments
For some kids, good home care may not be enough due to tooth anatomy or biological factors. We offer additional preventive treatments to help avoid decay:
Fluoride treatments – help to harden enamel and prevent decay. Not all communities have enough fluoride in their water to prevent decay.
Dental sealants – provide a barrier from the foods and bacteria that collect in kids’ mouths. Dental sealants are a thin coating that protects the deep grooves of your child’s teeth, where bacteria collects.
Call Us Today to Schedule an Exam
We look forward to welcoming you and your children to Burleson Pediatric Dentistry. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Chris Walton. We can’t wait to see your smile!
