Preventive Care

Preventive dental care is important throughout life, especially at a young age. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and scheduling regular checkups with the dentist, your child can help keep their smile bright and healthy for many years to come. Here are a few simple ways to get started:

• Make sure your child brushes their teeth and tongue at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. See Brushing Instructions Below
   
• Once teeth are touching, make sure your child flosses once a day. Floss will help remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. See the Flossing Instructions Below
   
• Make sure your child eats a balanced diet and tries to minimize extra-sugary treats. Nutritious foods such as raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, or fruit can help keep your child's smile healthy. 
   

• Schedule regular checkups with your child’s dentist every six months.

• Follow your dentist’s recommendation on the need for dental X-rays. We use digital radiography in our office to find decay developing in the teeth that cannot be seen on visual examination. We also have a panoral X-ray machine which is used as children get older to evaluate the development of permanent teeth and to monitor wisdom tooth development.  We always try to minimize the number and frequency of X-rays and subscribe to the ALARA principle.

• Follow your dentist’s recommendation about dental sealants, a protective coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.

• If your child plays any sports, ask your dentist about mouthguards designed to protect your child’s smile.

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