When your child is going back to school, you have lots to think about such as buying school books, clothing and other items. The thought of including a dental check-up as part of your child’s going back to school preparations may not enter your mind. But according to the American Dental Association, a dental examination for your child is truly vital.
Why Should You Take Your Child For A Dental Check-Up?
Generally, children favour sugary food items and when combined with improper dental care, it can lead to tooth decay. True enough, according to the American Dental Association, one of the main reasons for children’s absences from school is dental suffering or pain. Dental pain can affect a child’s speech, learning, eating and other daily activities.
Just like adults, children are also advised to visit the dentist for regular check-ups every six months. Even with diligent flossing and brushing, there might be some hard to reach places in the mouth where food particle accumulation is possible. Professional cleaning by one of the Brite group dentists ensures whatever build up or teeth stains are effectively removed.
What can Brite Dental experts do for you?
A dental expert would check the overall condition of your child’s teeth. Asides from checking for cavities and advising about possible tooth filling, the dentist would also check the overall teeth alignment. A milk tooth normally first appears when a baby is around six months old. Milk teeth are gradually replaced by permanent teeth when a child is around six or seven years old. So, a dentist also checks the progress of your child’s permanent teeth, ensuring that each tooth is erupting properly.
Let’s say that your child has a set of permanent teeth. If there are any orthodontic issues, the Brite team can talk you through the different teeth straightening treatments available at the practice.
Even if the issue is merely cosmetic, it should be addressed properly. This is because it can affect a child psychologically, creating lower self-esteem among other things. So, taking the necessary step for proper teeth alignment when your child is still young is truly important.
The dentist may decide to take X-rays for checking the actual condition of the root system and determining if there is any tooth decay that can’t be visually seen. Professional cleaning of your child’s teeth by the Brite group experts not only ensure the whiteness and cleanliness of teeth but also gums, providing good oral health. As you may know, children are more vulnerable to diseases compared to adults and good oral health is vital for the prevention of diseases.
Another thing the Brite dental team can do is apply fissure sealant to your child’s teeth. The sealant is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth. It is normally a thin coating which prevents the accumulation of food particles. The sealant treatment normally lasts for a few years.
Great tips for taking care of your child’s teeth
As well as discouraging your child from taking too much of sugary food and drinks, you should ensure that your child brushes and flosses the teeth at least twice a day, before going to bed and after getting up in the morning. Encourage your child to eat healthy snacks like fresh fruits, yogurt and vegetables which are healthy for your growing child.
Similar to adult toothpaste, your child’s toothpaste should also have fluoride, which protects the tooth enamel against bacteria and plaque. When it comes to your child’s toothbrush, get one that makes a nice fit into your child’s mouth with bristles that aren’t too soft or hard. Also, it’s advisable to change your child’s toothbrush every three months. This is because children’s toothbrushes aren’t normally robust and the bristles lose their splay and strength sooner compared to adult toothbrushes. For preventing any form of teeth damage during sports or rough play, get a custom-made mouth guard for your child from the Brite group.
Brite Dental are happy to be part of the Childsmile programme for Scotland. The core of the programme is to create access for families who would not otherwise have access to dental services for their little ones, particularly those areas with poor child dental care.
Get in touch today!
If you have any questions or concerns for your child’s oral health, then please feel free to contact your local Brite Dental Practice today.
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