Cavities are no fun, as they cause pain and sensitivity, and may even lead to infection or premature tooth loss! However, routine care can help kids in Greenville, TX, enjoy better oral health and a reduced risk of cavities. Find out how we help kids avoid cavities with our preventive treatment options and routine cleaning visits.
How Does Tooth Decay Form?
To know how they form, you first need to understand the structure of your tooth. A thin outer layer of enamel, the hardest substance in the human body, protects the inner layers of dentin from harmful bacteria. However, if bacteria can move past the enamel and reach the dentin, a cavity forms. This could happen as a result of injury to the teeth, such as a crack or chip, or as a result of enamel erosion caused by poor oral hygiene. When a cavity forms, the decay will continue to grow and spread through the tooth unless treated, eventually leading to painful infections and the risk of lost tooth! For children, the premature loss of baby teeth may lead to the onset of dental misalignment and the need for orthodontic care.
Fluoride Treatments
Protecting little smiles means brushing and flossing daily at home, as well as regular cleanings every six months at the dentist’s office. However, we often help by administering a fluoride treatment. Applied in varnish form to the teeth in just a few minutes, the fluoride actually strengthens the outer enamel, shoring up the teeth’s natural defenses against cavities. We can then reapply in future checkup and cleaning visits. Also, remember that our tap water contains fluoride, so drinking water regularly can also provide fluoride to little smiles.
Dental Sealants
If we find a child has a particularly high-risk factors for developing a cavity, then we may recommend more than just fluoride treatments. Instead, we may suggest a dental sealant. Treatment involves coating the rear molars in a thin layer of a special acrylic material. We then cure the material, which can stay in place for years at a time. The sealant actually prevents food from becoming stuck between these teeth, which are often difficult for little ones to reach when brushing and flossing. They wear away with time and if needed, we can add additional layers in future visits. If you have any questions about our preventive approach to cavity prevention, or about proper brushing and flossing, then contact our team today for a checkup and dental cleaning visit.
Smith Family Dentistry Offers Children’s Dentistry
With a preventive approach to children’s dental care, we help little smiles stay and healthy and oftentimes cavity-free. To learn more about caring for little smiles, call Smith Family Dentistry in Greenville, TX, today at 903-455-5750.