Whether referred to as dental caries, cavities, or tooth decay, damage to the enamel surfaces of your family's teeth is a dental health concern for every parent. In addition to the discomfort and cost required to help correct the damage, tooth decay has also been found to be a factor in the development of serious health issues, including heart disease.
Since it is preferable to prevent tooth decay, when possible, here are some dental health topics parents may want to discuss with their family dentist.
Making tooth care a good habit for life
A good place to begin a dental health discussion with your dentist is to ask for advice on when oral health care regimens should begin for children. Many parents are surprised to learn that proper oral health care should begin in early infancy, well before the appearance of teeth.
Your dentist will likely advise you to use a clean gauze-wrapped finger to wipe the baby's gums after each feeding to remove leftover milk or formula from the mouth. As the child grows, parents will be advised to begin teaching their child more advanced tooth care steps, including flossing.
The early introduction of good oral health care helps to ensure that your kids will grow into adults who take their dental health seriously and make them more likely to continue to use good habits to maintain tooth health throughout their lives.
Snacking and oral health
Snacking on some types of foods can raise the risk of experiencing cavities, as well as other types of dental health problems. Most parents understand the dangers of allowing their children to consume too many sodas or candy bars but may be surprised to learn that even foods considered to be healthful, like fruit juice, can be very damaging to tooth enamel.
Fruit juices contain fructose, a form of natural sugar, that can be just as damaging to the tooth enamel as granulated sugar, corn syrup, honey, and other sweet products. Family dentists may advise parents to limit the amount of fruit juice children consume and to substitute whole, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, nuts, hard cheeses, and other more healthful foods when children ask for a snack.
Regular and preventative dental health care
In addition to scheduling regular dental health care appointments for all family members, parents should also discuss any preventative measures that may be available. Children who do not have access to fluoridated water may be good candidates for fluoride treatments to help promote dental health. Parents may also want to ask their dental health care provider about special dental sealants designed to protect tooth surfaces.
Check out sites like https://valleyoakdentalgroup.com/ to learn more about dental hygiene.
Share29 January 2021
After dealing with a few root canals, I realized that it was time to take my dental hygiene a more seriously. I talked with my dentist about what I could do differently, and he was full of great suggestions that would help. He walked me through different ways to brush, floss, and take care of tartar buildup, and it was really amazing to see the difference that it made. I also started taking a fluoride supplement to strengthen my enamel. When I made it to my next appointment, my dentist was blown away with the improvement. This blog is all about improving your dental appointments by keeping your teeth healthier.
