Practicing proper dental techniques and instilling good habits from a young age is very important; however there is still a high chance that your child will require additional dental care. It is extremely important for your child to visit the dentist on a regular basis so the dentist can keep an eye out for larger issues and provide recommendations as appropriate. Below are a few of the common dental procedures needed for kids:
Regular Cleaning – While children do their best to brush and floss their teeth, it can never hurt to have them looked over by a professional. Pediatric dentists have special tools to clean in those hard to access places (ie between and behind the teeth). This also provides an excellent time for the dentist to further educate the children about dental health and its importance.
Braces- Many children will require braces in order to align and straighten their teeth and bite. Braces are recommended to children with severe underbites, overbites, crooked teeth, and various structural issues with the jaw. Depending on the severity of the issue, braces can be needed for as a little as a few months or as long as a couple years.
Retainer- Similar to braces, retainers are given to children to align teeth and keep them straight. Retainers are custom made to fit each child's mouth and are often used after braces, generally only needed at night.
Sealants- Most dentists recommend applying sealants to children's' teeth at a young age to help avoid plaque buildup and cavities later in life. Sealants are added to the pitted / indented part of the tooth (the part that does the chewing) in order to keep out food particles and sugary liquids. Sealants are essentially invisible and the children will not notice a thing. If the sealants did not provide enough protection and your child does get a cavity, the dentist may recommend metal fillings or a steel crown. A dentist for kids can assist with this and any other procedures.
X-rays- These are commonly given to both children and adults at the dentist. While your teeth may look and feel fine, X-rays can detect issues before you even know they exist. It will literally provide you with a picture of your overall dental health.
Fluoride Treatments – Fluoride can come in a variety of forms, but is most commonly given to children as liquids or gels / foams. Fluoride works to alter the structure of the tooth, making it more resistant to plaque and cavities.