How to Prevent Cavities in Children

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the family dentist can prevent cavities in children entirely. However, proper dental care has to begin before the first tooth appears which is almost immediately after child birth. According to the experts, an infant’s teeth normally begin to form during the second trimester of your pregnancy. During delivery, the baby already has twenty primary teeth, inside the jaw.

Keeping your child’s teeth cavity free! 
In-home Oral hygiene:

Dampening a washcloth and running it over the baby's gums will help clean harmful bacteria. You can also brush your child’s teeth with an infant toothbrush, utilizing water with just a little toothpaste till about age two. By the time kids turn 2 most of them can spit while brushing. Make them use pea-sized amount of paste till the age of 5, under supervision.

Remember, even babies are prone to tooth decay if you don’t practice good feeding habits. Putting your child to sleep with a milk bottle can harm the child’s teeth. If sugar from milk remains on the teeth for several hours, it can erode the enamel. Severe cases can even result in cavities and extraction.

Avoid Cavity Causers

• Drinking or eating before bedtime
• Frequent sipping and snacking
• Having too much candy every day
• Not brushing or cleaning before bed

Sealants

Experts believe that sealants are one of the best tools in fighting tooth decay among children. The material is a shaded or clear plastic resin that is applied to the back of the child’s tooth and parts susceptible to cavities. When put on to the chewing surface of the tooth, the coating acts as a barrier between the harmful bacteria and the projection. It is extremely effective when applied to a surface that is susceptible to decay. With a sealant, there is no discomfort or drilling. It can last for several years but may require regular checking during dental appointments.

Fluoride

Prescription strength fluoride under the supervision of a dental expert is recommended bi-annually for almost all kids. For those kids who are susceptible to developing oral cavities, fluoride treatments are advised every three months. It is best to leave the decision to your dentist, who will evaluate the child's risk for cavities and recommend treatment accordingly.

Professional Help

We all have a family dentist who takes care of the oral health of our entire family. It is best to take your child to the dentist regularly. Although most family dentists have the expertise to handle kids, they might recommend your child to a pediatric dentist, if need be.

Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children. They are trained to handle a range of problems associated with a child’s dental health. The primary goal of any pediatric dentist is prevention and maintenance by using routine checkups and care to keep gums and teeth healthy.

Use of Laser in Cosmetic Dentistry

While x-rays, root canals and cavities can be a scary side of dentistry, suction tubes and dental chairs do not have to be dreaded all the time. Dentistry is also known for a lighter, cosmetic side. New cosmetic dentistry procedures such as whitening, implants, shaping and straightening, along with the assistance of laser dentistry, can help you perfect your teeth effortlessly.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are advanced dental procedures that can restore missing or unhealthy teeth without the discomfort of dentures. Implants are created from porcelain to match the shape and size of your existing teeth perfectly. Lasers have been used extensively during implant procedures. The use of laser devices can help protect tissues with nearly no adverse effects at the microscopic level.

Teeth Whitening

Whitening teeth can be achieved with special solutions that are applied to the surface of the tooth in the dental clinic and activated through laser energy. Your teeth can look visibly brighter in a very short period of time. When combined with in house whitening systems, drastic changes can be seen even in the toughest cases.

Invisalign

For those of you who are not happy with the way your teeth are presently aligned, but don't want conventional wire braces, Invisalign provides a concealed way to straighten out teeth over a period of time. During the treatment, the dental expert creates clear, custom trays that fit on the teeth and are worn at all times except while eating, flossing or brushing. The invisible aligners have to be changed almost every 2 weeks till the desired results are achieved.

Crowns and Veneers

Porcelain crowns and veneers have the ability to greatly improve the look of your teeth. Without replacing and removing the whole tooth, veneers are attached to the original structure of the tooth and can assist in improving the color and size of the projection. Veneers can be used on all of your teeth for a brighter looking smile. Crowns, on the other hand, are also casted from porcelain and act like "slip covers" on the original tooth and can shield the tooth’s structure while enhancing shape and color.

With advances in dental technology, several dental offices now make use of lasers to perform cosmetic dentistry procedures involving veneers, Invisalign and crowns. Lasers offer detailed cleaning. Apart from this, soft tissue lasers are used to prepare the gums for veneers and crowns, and to cauterize your gums during the dental procedures.

Other Uses of Laser

Apart from cosmetic dentistry, periodontal care also benefits from laser technology. Lasers are presently used for reshaping and re-contouring gums, getting rid of diseased or extra gum tissue linked with specific periodontal disease or medications, and removing bacteria inside periodontal pockets to support healing. Laser has the ability to reduce healing time and post-operative pain in comparison to conventional surgical methods.

Get in Touch with a Dental Expert

Dental lasers are one of the best choices for those who fear traditional treatments. However, they may not be the right choice for everyone. Your dentist might not recommend using a laser for a particular treatment if he or she feels it will not suit you. It is best to get a thorough checkup and detailed advice from your dental expert before deciding on a treatment.