Your children’s teeth need to last a lifetime, and a children's dentist can help with that. The right way to prevent damage to the teeth is to stop an emergency from happening. You can take several steps to lower the chances of an emergency. Helping your kids swap poor habits for good ones is a starting point, especially with the guidance of your children’s dentist.
A minor cavity can quickly become a bigger toothache and require extensive treatment. In severe cases, an untreated toothache can cause an abscess. That is why it is better to prevent decay from ever happening. A healthy diet for the mouth is an important step for children.
Parents should have children stop eating so many sugary foods. Beverages such as energy drinks and fruit juices should go. It is also better for children to avoid sugary candy, cereal, ice cream, and other such foods. It is all right to indulge every once in a while, but this should not become a habit. A children’s dentist might recommend having these beverages through a straw. That will direct it past the teeth and to the throat.
Hard foods can also be harmful and cause a dental emergency. Children should not bite down on hard items like ice, nuts, or popcorn kernels. That can cause the teeth to break or chip. The child should also avoid using the teeth to open bags or chew on other things.
Some sports are high-contact, like football or martial arts. This can cause a tooth to become knocked out or injured. That can be a common kind of accident, so parents should always have a child use a mouthguard. A children’s dentist can make a customized mouthguard for use during contact sports.
The teeth might even become injured while the child sleeps. Some people grind their teeth during the night, which is called bruxism. Grinding the teeth can wear out the enamel, particularly for children whose teeth are still developing. That can result in chips in some cases. The good news is that a children’s dentist can also make a nightguard.
If the tooth becomes severely decayed, it might need to have a root canal or even be extracted. The good news is that this can be avoided with the right oral care. Parents should help children to brush at least twice a day. A toothpaste with fluoride should be used for this since it can help to strengthen the teeth. The teeth should be brushed for at least two minutes and then flossed.
Teeth are for eating and speaking. They are not for opening packages, such as bags of chips, or bottles. Using teeth for this purpose can cause chipping and cracking. Damaged teeth can result in severe dental pain. The injury may reach the sensitive pulp and even the jawbone. This may lead to root canal therapy.
Fluoride is a natural element that can strengthen the enamel layer of teeth. It can also protect teeth from bacterial acids. Regular fluoride treatment can prevent tooth decay. It can even reduce the child’s risk of having dental chipping or cracking.
The chewing surfaces of molars are prone to cracking, wear, or decay. These surfaces have grooves and fissures that harbor food particles and bacteria. Molars can receive another layer of protection with dental sealants. The children’s dentist can paint on the sealant after cleaning the molars and treating decaying spots.
Children do not have the patience or motivation to care for their teeth the right way. Parents can teach their children proper brushing and flossing by doing it for them at first. Then, parents can perform dental care practices with the child. This will allow the child to see how proper dental care is done. Kids also tend to brush hard, which can abrade the enamel, weaken the teeth, and make them prone to dental damage. Supervising can also ensure that the child does not brush too hard.
Part of preventing dental emergencies in children is to keep appointments for regular dental checkups. These visits will help the children’s dentist to keep an eye on the child’s dental and gum health. The slightest sign of cavities will receive dental fillings or fluoride treatments right away. This can help keep the child’s teeth in good health at a very young age.
You can help your child prevent emergencies at home in many ways. But a children’s dentist can also help you take more steps to avoid situations. That includes determining the need for a nightguard. The first step is to make an appointment with a children’s dentist today.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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