At Westpark Pediatric Dentistry, we enjoy teaching children and their families how to keep their oral health in excellent condition, beginning with prevention. Happy smiles are built with this firm foundation.
Being free from dental infection means being free to roam and fully enjoy learning, growing, eating, and playing!
Most children (and adults) don’t give their mouths a lot of thought, but they’re complex microenvironments that are so much more than meets the eye. In fact, it’s microscopic bacteria that requires fighting on a daily basis to keep their smiles bright and healthy.
Oh, did we mention there are thousands of those bacteria? Most are neutral or beneficial, but the types that aren’t can do heavy damage. To guard against the damage, your little one will want to make toothbrush, paste, and dental floss their trusty sidekicks.
Dental sealants are a tremendously helpful tool for kids with still-developing hygiene skills. We like to think of them as raincoats for the chewing surfaces of teeth, where food particles combine with plaque, and, if missed by floss and a toothbrush, lead to enamel erosion.
We highly recommend the application of sealants on molars when they erupt, because their cusps and grooves are especially susceptible to erosion. Though sealants have been found to be up to 80% effective in cavity prevention, they’re not a substitute for good oral hygiene routines!
A common misconception dentists have been trying to dispel for decades is that baby teeth aren’t very important because of their impermanence. Baby teeth set the stage for adult teeth, and decay can cause their premature loss among a host of other negative health consequences.
Those negative health consequences include the inability to maintain a healthy diet and speech patterns, result in missed school, and decreased confidence. We know no parent wants their child to experience this, so if we catch decay, we may recommend stopping it in its tracks with Silver Diamine Fluoride.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a visit for your little one, contact your Richmond pediatric dentist, Dr. Malije Onwueme at Westpark Pediatric Dentistry today.