Why Preventive Care is Important for Your Child

Preventive dental care is all about staying ahead of the game. By starting good habits early, your child can enjoy a healthy smile for a lifetime. Taking small steps today can make a huge difference tomorrow. It is totally normal to have questions about how to protect those little teeth, so we have put together some simple ways to keep plaque and cavities away.

• Brush twice a day. Have your child use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to have them brush their tongue, too. It helps keep their breath fresh.
• Clean between the teeth. Flossing once a day cleans the spots a toothbrush just cannot reach.
• Eat for a healthy smile. Crunchy veggies, yogurt, and cheese are great snacks that help keep teeth strong.
• Visit us every six months. Regular checkups and professional cleanings are the best way to keep things on track.
• Ask about sealants. These are thin, protective coatings we place on the back teeth to block out decay.
• Wear a mouthguard. If your child plays sports, we can provide a comfortable guard to keep their smile safe.

Thumb-sucking is a natural reflex that helps many infants feel safe and relaxed. It's like a built-in security blanket. Most children stop on their own between ages two and four.

If your child continues after their permanent teeth start coming in, we should take a look together. Passive sucking usually isn't a problem, but aggressive sucking can sometimes move teeth or change how the bite develops. If you're worried, we’re here to help you assess the situation and find a supportive way to move forward.

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, a tooth needs a little extra help. We offer personalized options to fix cavities and get your child back to smiling.

• Direct Fillings. These are usually done in one visit. We prepare the tooth and place the filling right then and there.
• Indirect Fillings. These take two visits. We take an impression of the tooth and a lab creates a custom piece (like a crown) that we then place during the second visit.

We’ll always chat with you about the best choice for your child based on where the cavity is and how much of the tooth needs to be restored.

Fluoride is a safe, natural mineral that acts like a shield for your child's teeth. It makes the enamel stronger and much better at fighting off decay.

• Systemic Fluoride. This is what your child gets from drinking water. It strengthens teeth while they are still growing under the gums.
• Topical Fluoride. This is found in toothpaste and mouthwash. We can also apply a professional fluoride treatment during your visit, which only takes a few minutes.

Brushing is great, but even the best brushers can miss the deep grooves in their back teeth. Sealants are a protective coating we "paint" onto those chewing surfaces. It smooths out the deep cracks so food and plaque can't get stuck. They usually last three to five years and are a fantastic, innovative way to prevent cavities before they even start.