Your child develops at a dizzying rate from the moment they exit the womb. As you check off all necessary healthcare boxes, don’t forget about their all-important dental health. Though you may think of those first 20 teeth as simply passing through, their role in your child’s future dental health shouldn’t be underestimated. And when their secondary teeth begin to erupt, you can take some critical steps to protect them right out of the gate.
February is National Children's Dental Health Month and the ideal opportunity to review parents' crucial ways to protect their children’s teeth and gums.
To that end, Nathan Klabunde, DDS of Northwoods Dental Group in Columbus, Ohio, explains the importance of dental sealants, bi-annual cleanings, and fluoride treatments.
It’s easy to consider baby teeth as disposable — after all, they’re only there for a few short years before your child’s secondary, or adult, teeth come in. However, the fact is those baby teeth are all important when it comes to your child’s development, teaching them how to chew and speak properly.
Beyond chewing and speaking, your child’s baby teeth act as placeholders for their permanent teeth, enabling these stronger teeth to come incorrectly.
From the moment your child’s first teeth come in, we jump into action to help these early teeth serve out their roles. One of our first lines of defense for these smaller, softer teeth is to boost the enamel, which we can accomplish through fluoride varnishes.
Starting with your child’s first tooth, we apply a varnish that helps protect the tooth from decay. To do this, we simply brush on the varnish, which is perfectly safe, and allow it to harden, forming a protective layer over their teeth. We need to keep up with these fluoride treatments for as long as your child has their baby teeth, but the process is swift and easy.
When your child’s first molars begin to come in, usually around the age of six, we want to get ahead of the tooth decay curve by applying a sealant to each new secondary tooth. This simple step reduces the risk of decay in your child’s new molars by up to 80%.
The sealant provides a protective shield around the tooth, preventing bacteria from making their way through. Though people can have their teeth sealed at any age, if you start just as soon as your child’s first permanent teeth come in, you’re giving them the advantage of early protection that will serve them well long into the future.
Adults aren’t the only ones who benefit from regular professional cleanings and checkups. We recommend starting the process just as soon as the first teeth come in to familiarize your child with good dental care. During these early cleanings, we show you how you can best clean your child’s teeth, and, as they get older, we show them how to manage their care.
As your child transitions from their baby teeth to their adult teeth, these regular cleanings allow us to stay on top of their dental health, spotting any potential problems and heading them off as quickly as possible.
The bottom line is that preventive dental care with fluoride, sealants, and regular cleanings right from the start will help set your child up for a bright future of excellent dental health.
Call 614-347-3291 or book an appointment online with Northwoods Dental Group today for all of your and your child's dental needs.
