3 Things A Kids' Dentist May Suggest To Lessen The Frequency Of Your Child's Tooth Decay

27 May 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog


If your child has been experiencing a large number of dental cavities, you may be concerned that the damage to his or her primary teeth will continue as the permanent teeth erupt. However, there are some things that pediatric dentists may suggest to help your child experience less dental decay. Here are a few of them:

In-office Fluoride Applications

Although your child may be receiving fluoride each time he or she brushes, there may not be enough fluoride in your child's toothpaste to adequately protect the youngster's teeth. In addition, your child's brushing techniques may not be adequate enough to prevent or to expose your child's teeth to fluoride long enough to maximize the compound's positive effects. As a result, your child's dentist  may perform a fluoride treatment.

The treatment is not uncomfortable. The dentist can apply the fluoride solution in a mouth guard, or he or she may simply paint the fluoride onto the teeth. After the solution is allowed to sit on the teeth long enough for it to be absorbed, your child's mouth is thoroughly rinsed with water.

Increasing the amount of fluoride that is available in your child's mouth can help ensure that weakened areas of the tooth enamel are protected and that your child's teeth are made more resistant to acid.

Fluoride helps draw phosphorus and calcium to the enamel of your child's teeth. There, the minerals combined with the fluoride to form a more acid-resistant tooth material.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are often used for children's molars, which tend to have deep crevices in which plaque and bacteria can settle. As a result, cavities are more likely to form in these areas.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are applied to the teeth to protect them from decay. The coatings are usually made of resin plastic and may remain in place for years.

Sugarless Gum

The dentist may also suggest that you offer your child sugarless gum throughout the day. The gum can help pull particles of food from the teeth so that bacteria have less debris on which to feed. Since bacterial acid causes tooth decay and is released as a digestive by-product of the microbes, limiting the food source of oral bacteria can reduce the frequency of decay.

Additionally, the gum helps incite the production of saliva to rinse away plaque and dilute bacterial acid.

To learn more things that you can do to protect your child's dental health, schedule a consultation with a kids' dentist in your area.


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