We as Kids Dentist prefer to act before the Teeth are affected. So let us introduce you to DENTAL HOME. As it is said Prevention is Better than Cure. Having a good dental conversation prior to even the eruption of your kids teeth is useful. They help us maintain Healthy gums and teeth for your Kid. The 1st Dental Visit for a Child should be at 6months or eruption of 1st Tooth, whichever is earlier.
Depending upon the age of your child, various steps can be advised right from prevention of decay, to prevention of malaligned teeth.
To categorize various preventive dental care we have:
- Demonstration of Brushing Technique at the Earliest Age possible i.e. about 6 months of age
- Regular Follow up Schedule
- Diet Counseling
- Dental Fluoride Application
Once your child has a tooth, your doctor may recommend that your child receive fluoride varnish treatments in the pediatrician’s office to help prevent tooth decay. This can be done 2 to 4 times per year. The number of treatments depends on how likely it is that your child may get a cavity depending on the child’s caries risk assessment.
This emphasizes the fact on establishing contact with a dental office as early as 6 months or as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth. Once a Dental Home is established with us parents can be enlightened about Anticipatory Guidance for their child at specific age. If your child is seeing a dentist at a young age, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, fluoride varnish may be applied by the pediatric dentist in their dental office.
What is Fluoride Varnish?
- Fluoride varnish is an application of a layer of Fluoride Concentrated Liquid, a dental treatment that can help prevent tooth decay, slow it down, or stop it from getting worse.
- Fluoride varnish acts by forming a coat over the teeth and useful for high caries risk
- Fluoride works by remineralizing the tooth surfaces where bacteria may have eroded the enamel. It can also inhibit the growth of harmful oral bacteria and further prevent cavities.
- Fluoride cannot remove decay but, while creating a stronger outer surface to your teeth, it can help stop the decay from penetrating into the deeper parts of teeth.
- Keep in mind that fluoride varnish treatments cannot completely prevent cavities. Fluoride varnish treatments can best help prevent decay when a child is also brushing using the right amount of toothpaste with fluoride, flossing regularly, getting regular dental care, and eating a healthy diet.
How Do I Care for My Child’s Teeth After Fluoride Varnish is Applied?
Here are general guidelines on how to care for your child’s teeth after fluoride varnish is applied. Check with your child’s doctor for any other special instructions.
- Your child can eat and drink after 45 minutes, the fluoride varnish is applied. But only give your child soft foods and cold or warm (not hot) foods or liquids.
- Do not brush or floss teeth for at least 4 to 6 hours. It is however wise to wait until the next morning to brush or floss.
Steps to good dental health include:
- Regular care by a dentist trained to treat young children
- Getting enough fluoride
- Regular brushing and flossing
- Eating right
