Dentistry for Kids According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 40 percent of children in the United States suffer from tooth decay by the time they are starting kindergarten. Thus, a child's dental health, just like in adults, should be a priority. It is advisable to take your child to the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears. This will help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which poses a health threat. Besides making activities like biting and chewing easy, good dental health is a boost to your child's self esteem. At Ortega Family Dental, we help take care of your child's dental health with professional and caring experts at your disposal.What Does Dentistry for Kids Entail?Professional dental care of your child includes oral education, examination, and treatment. Education varies depending on the child's age. For infants, the education will include factors to consider when using a pacifier and effects of thumb sucking and their impact on oral health. If your child is a bit older, they will learn brushing and flossing techniques and get a recommendation of the dental brands to use, bearing their teeth delicacy. Our team will then examine your child's mouth for dental injuries, teeth misalignment, decay, fractures, and periodontal disease. In case we detect an underlying condition, we will put your child on a treatment plan to contain the problem and prevent its advancement to chronic stages. In older children, dental care may also comprise cleaning through removing plaque, tartar, and stains on the teeth. What To Expect When You Bring Your Child in for a CheckupTaking your child for the first dental exam is a fun and brave step towards instilling the need for them to value their dental health at an early age. Before scheduling a visit, ensure you prepare your child. Upon arrival, our team of professionals will use techniques to ensure your child's comfort. We will then take a few minutes to observe your child's oral health, development, and status of their teeth. Since children's teeth eventually fall out, dental X-rays are not necessary at this stage. In case we diagnose a problem, we will administer treatment to prevent the advancement of the problem to chronic levels. The team will then schedule regular checkups for your child to monitor progress. These regular visits also help your child to bond with our dental team. Dental Hygiene at HomeYour child's first dental visit provides an opportunity for an in-depth discussion with our team on the specific oral care habits your child should exercise. However, it is your responsibility as a parent to oversee your child's oral hygiene. This includes teaching them to brush and floss their teeth regularly, and at the appropriate age with the right tools. If you have an infant, you should prevent tooth decay by limiting bottle time. You should also provide your child with a healthy balanced diet for the healthy growth of teeth. Dentistry for kids complements home care practices and helps in the early detection of problems. For more information on how to care for your child's teeth, call Ortega Family Dental at (904) 914-4008 today. |