Preventive Dentistry for Children

Keeping kids’ smiles healthy takes a bit more care and consideration than older dental patients; kids tend to be less concerned about what incidents could damage their teeth or put them at risk for cavities. This makes it important for parents and dentists to work together and prevent dental problems for children and young patients.

Dr. David Keen and Dr. Amy Jagger help keep young patients’ smiles healthy by speaking with and educating parents and suggesting the following steps below:

Visiting the Dentist Twice a Year

This one is standard knowledge, but it’s important to stick to a schedule of twice yearly dental visits. Keeping your teeth as clean as possible at home is a great start, but visiting the dentist every six months allows our dentists to take the appropriate X-rays to monitor oral health status, thoroughly clean teeth, and let children know if they’re missing any spots while they’re brushing their teeth at home. Routine dental visits are also the perfect opportunity for parents to ask about any necessary treatment to further protect children’s teeth, as described below.

Protecting Teeth from Injury

If your child is active in sports or likes to bike and skateboard, they’re at greater risk for breaking or cracking teeth from spills and accidents. This shouldn’t keep them from doing everything they love, though. A custom athletic mouth guard helps protect children’s teeth while they’re playing soccer, football, baseball or any other of their other favorite after-school sports that may be high impact. Damaging teeth by accident can also include night time teeth grinding, called bruxism, which can quickly wear down surfaces of back teeth. For these patients, a mouth guard provides a protective barrier that prevents complications of persistent teeth grinding.

WE PROVIDE FREE CUSTOM FIT ATHLETIC SPORTGUARDS.  PLEASE CALL US FOR MORE INFO.

Sealants and Fluoride Treatment

As mentioned above, children’s teeth are at higher risk for decay caused by bacteria and acid, as they are not as resistant to damage, compared to permanent, adult teeth. Children’s back teeth also contain deeper pits and fissures that can trap debris and bacteria, which erode dental enamel. When children’s back teeth are coated with a sealant material, however, debris finds it more difficult to stick and settle on teeth, and is more easily swept away by brushing and flossing. In addition to sealants, children can benefit from fluoride rinses or varnishes that help to strengthen teeth and make them more resistant to decay-causing agents.

Building healthy smiles for children helps to keep their teeth strong and instill confidence as children get older and develop permanent teeth. For more information about preventive dental care and best practices for children’s dental hygiene, contact our El Cajon children’s dentists today.