Developing strong oral hygiene habits as a child can
greatly reduce the incidence of gum disease and cavities
later in life. It is our goal at Dental Care Associates to
help our youngest patients establish proper oral hygiene habits, and
to educate them on the importance of proper brushing, flossing and a good diet throughout their life.
Prevention is key to a healthy mouth
We stress prevention with our youngest patients. We often prescribe sealants for our child patients. Dental sealants act as a barrier,
protecting the teeth against decay-causing bacteria. Sealants are usually
applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars) where
decay occurs most often. It is a painless procedure and helps lessen the incidence of cavities throughout their adolescent years.
Fluoride
Fluoride is also very important to the health of your teeth. In the age of bottled water,
children and adults alike tend to have a fluoride deficiency. Our child patients receive
fluoride in a tray through their early teens. On some occasions, it is also suggested for adults due to certain circumstances in the mouth. This serves as a very important preventive measure against tooth decay.
Mouthguards
We also recommend that your child wear a mouthguard if he or she is involved with contact sports. Injuries to the mouth and teeth can be greatly reduced if a child begins wearing a mouthguard during sports early in life.
