Pediatric preventive dental care in Broken Arrow OK should start as soon as young children’s teeth start coming in. Getting kids started early is the best way to prevent complications and prepare patients for a lifetime of good dental health. Parents can read on to find out about a few common preventive care services to get started.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are applied as a thin layer of clear composite resin to children’s back teeth to prevent bacterial buildup and food particles from causing cavities. Sealants don’t remove the need for practicing good dental hygiene at home, but they can give kids a little bit of extra protection while they’re still learning how to brush and floss properly.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments are designed to restore minerals so that kids have strong, durable teeth. While most toothpaste contains some fluoride, it can also be helpful to get kids started using fluoride solutions as well. This painless, at-home preventive product can be used in conjunction with dental sealants to prevent cavities from forming and strengthen kids’ teeth.
Sports Protection
Not all preventive dental care in Broken Arrow OK takes place in the dental chair. Parents whose children play after-school sports should also purchase mouth guards to protect their kids’ smiles. The best mouth guards are those that are custom-fitted to the child’s mouth, so it’s worth spending the extra money to take kids to the dentist to be fitted for mouth guards instead of buying over-the-counter alternatives.
Identifying Problems Early
The best way to avoid complications is to make sure any potential problems are identified early so parents can look into all possible options for protecting their children’s smiles. Kids should be given dental x-rays at least once a year to look for cavities and make sure that all of their teeth are coming in straight. Any cavities found should be filled right away, and kids whose x-rays indicate they may be struggling with crooked teeth should be referred to an orthodontist or another dental specialist.
Get Started Today
Want to make an appointment for preventative care, but you’re not sure where to turn? Click here to learn about one local pediatric dental office that can help today to get started.
