Regardless of age, everyone needs to visit the dentist regularly. Even children can benefit from dental visits and cleanings to prevent future complications with their permanent teeth. If you would like to know more, check out these three questions to ask a dentist for kids.
1. Which Habits Are the Worst for Oral Health?
There are many habits children have that can affect their oral health. First, many young children suck their thumb, but if they continue to do so as they get older, it can affect their permanent teeth, causing an overbite.
Kids also tend to like candy, and they may choose sticky or hard candy. Candy in general is bad for teeth as it contains a lot of sugar that can cause cavities. However, sticky candy can be hard to remove, and hard candy can chip teeth. For this reason, your child also shouldn't chew on hard things like ice or their nails.
2. What Are Sealants?
Molars have a lot of nooks and crannies, which helps with eating, but it can make it hard to brush, especially for kids who are just learning to brush or kids who don't brush their teeth as thoroughly as they should. If plaque gets stuck, it can increase the risk of sealants.
Luckily, the dentist can apply sealants to your child's teeth. These create a protective barrier, so even if food gets stuck, it's not in direct contact with the teeth. Sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay in molars by about 80 percent. They last a few years, and even though they are targeted at children, adults can benefit from them too.
3. Will Your Child Need Braces?
Your child may not get braces until they are older, but the dentist can usually tell if braces will be needed at an early age, and some orthodontic treatment may need to begin early. For example, if there isn't enough room in the mouth for all the teeth, the palate may need to be expanded. This is much easier to do while your child is growing and developing.
Other signs that your child may need braces include overcrowded teeth and a misaligned bite. In some cases, one or more teeth need to be removed to ensure the teeth will fit and look good. If you do get braces for your child, you'll also want to ask the orthodontist about caring for braces, including how to clean the teeth and what food to avoid.
Dental visits are incredibly important. Even if your kid only has a few baby teeth, a trip to the dentist can help keep their mouth healthy. If you would like to know more, contact a pediatric dentist in your area today.
Up until a year ago, I did my best to keep my teeth and gums clean. But after securing a new job, I began to work late into the night and didn't have the time or energy to brush and floss before I retired to bed. My busy schedule and poor dental hygiene finally affected my teeth and gums. After experiencing severe pain in several of my teeth, I made an appointment with my dentist. My dentist examined my mouth and discovered three large cavities in my molars. After four long weeks, my dentist finally completed my dental work. I learned a very painful lesson during that time. No matter how busy you are, always brush and floss. I started this blog to inform other people about the importance of good dental care. I hope you find the time to read it. Thanks for visiting.