Pediatric dentistry focuses on diagnosing, preventing, and treating oral health concerns in children who still have their baby teeth. This review closely examines what parents and the pediatric dentistry team can do to protect baby teeth from cavities, dental trauma, and other forms of damage.
Caring for baby teeth should involve brushing and flossing regularly, limiting the consumption of carbohydrates, and regular dental cleanings. In addition, dental sealants and mouthguards are great preventive strategies to protect against cavities and dental trauma.
The simplest and most imperative way to protect baby teeth from cavities is to ensure the child brushes multiple times a day, or their parent brushes their teeth for them. It is also strongly encouraged to floss their teeth once daily. The pediatric dentist will provide information on how to brush and floss properly. Be sure to reach all areas of teeth to avoid cavities in hard-to-reach areas.
Sugar and other carbohydrates are notorious for their contribution to cavities. This is especially the case with baby teeth, as they are more prone to cavities due to their thinner layer of enamel. Subsequently, it is strongly encouraged to limit the consumption of sugar. Notably, it is best to stay away from sugar-filled beverages inside of a baby bottle as these can increase the likelihood of baby bottle tooth decay.
Dental cleanings are another great defense against cavities and teeth stains for baby teeth. Dental cleanings should occur every four to six months to help prevent an accumulation of plaque and tartar on the surface of teeth and along the gum line.
Dental sealants can help protect baby teeth from cavities in the most vulnerable areas, which are the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. Sealants are plastic coatings that are safely and non-invasively placed in the office.
Pediatric dentists strongly recommend a mouthguard for children who play a contact sport or are physically active in other (potentially dangerous) ways. In addition, wearing a mouthguard helps protect in the event a blow to the mouth occurs, which could lead to one or more damaged, loose, or knocked-out teeth and the need for restorative treatment.
Lastly, during your child’s oral care routine each day, check their teeth for any signs of worn enamel (and teeth them how to check as well). If any concerns are detected, notify the pediatric dentist.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Pediatric Dentistry in Reston, VA
You can reach our pediatric dentistry team to discuss your child’s oral health and schedule a visit. We help parents develop a cavity prevention plan for their child’s baby teeth. In addition to preventive and diagnostic services, we help restore baby teeth after issues such as cavities, teeth cracks, and more develop.
Request an appointment or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
An emergency pediatric dentist is a parent’s go-to resource when unexpected dental issues arise. From accidents to sudden pain, these dental providers offer specialized care to restore children’s oral health and comfort quickly. Understanding their role and the treatments they offer empowers parents to handle dental emergencies with confidence, ensuring prompt, compassionate care for every…
Calcium and vitamins have important pediatric dental benefits for your child. They help their bones grow and develop, as well as help with their tooth development. Besides brushing and flossing regularly, children also need to have balanced nutrition for healthy teeth and gums. This article covers the importance of calcium and vitamins, so parents can…
Dental X-rays are essential parts of a pediatric dental visit. As a diagnostic instrument, an X-ray is used by pediatric dentists to uncover and highlight problem areas in order to investigate them further and develop an effective treatment plan. Continue reading to know when the dentist might recommend digital X-rays during a dental appointment.Pediatric dentists…
Like many young people, your teenager may have crooked teeth or bite problems that need correcting. Your dentist may recommend Invisalign® as a treatment option for your teen. Maybe you are familiar with traditional braces — perhaps you wore them yourself when you were younger. However, Invisalign can correct your teen's orthodontic issues while offering…
Many families with adolescents in need of straighter smiles are opting for Invisalign® for teens over traditional braces. Braces use wires and frequent adjustments to straighten each tooth individually. Invisalign clear aligners straighten all the teeth at once and are swapped out for new ones about every two weeks during the process. These aligners are…