Parents are always concerned about the healthy development of their children. When it comes to being concerned about their overall health, oral health shouldn’t be left behind. So many parents are now sending their young children to see their family or pediatric dentists for all sorts of dental treatments, usually geared towards healthier teeth and a more confident smile.
Dental Treatments To Restore Your Child’s Teeth
Seeing your children smile is one of the most heartwarming things in the world. But, perhaps, that smile can use a little work. Remember that taking good care of your child’s teeth is more than just vanity or physical treatment. It’s also about giving your kids good oral health while they’re young, as a strong foundation for when they grow older.
With that said, you may want to discuss your options with a dentist from clinics you can trust, like Grove City Dental. These treatments include:
1. Stainless Steel Crowns (SSCs)
Stainless steel crowns are also referred to as dental crowns. Tooth decay is quite prevalent among young children, especially in their back teeth. There are many reasons for this, such as the inherent difficulty of many parents to brush the back teeth properly. Many kids don’t like brushing their teeth, so it’s often the case wherein only the front teeth get proper attention.
Then, there are also the milk cavities on the back teeth or those caused by too much intake of sweets. When discovered early, cavities or decay on the back teeth can still be corrected through procedures like white filling. Unfortunately, when it the teeth have already become too badly decayed, they may not be able to hold white fillings anymore. This is when stainless steel crowns, or SSCs, become necessary.
There are many reasons why a pediatric dentist will order dental crowns on a child, and these include:
- They’re durable but inexpensive, which is great, considering that, eventually, when the baby tooth held by the crown falls off, the dental crown will no longer be used.
- They result in very minimal tooth sensitivity.
- They may be more successful in preventing further damage and cavities, especially for children below four years old.
To achieve the benefits above, the dental crowning procedure starts with the dentist fitting silver-colored pre-fabricated dental crowns on the affected teeth. These are cemented on the primary teeth to prevent further damage, until such time that those teeth are naturally lost.
2. Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is one of the most common dental treatments, used to address broken or chipped teeth. Even if your child still has milk teeth, repairing any broken tooth is still very much important. This is key to providing your child with a strong foundation, so their teeth can remain healthy and functional. When left untreated, chipped or broken teeth may lead to infections.
Here’s how tooth bonding can change your child’s smile:
- It doesn’t require the removal of great amounts of teeth enamel.
- It doesn’t destroy the appearance of baby teeth until they fall out.
- It’s a minimally invasive treatment that doesn’t generally require anesthesia.
- It works well with other cosmetic treatments, like teeth whitening and improving tooth size.
- It doesn’t need any specialized care, for as long as good oral health is practiced.
3. Tooth-Colored Fillings (Composite Resin)
Fillings or composite resins, which are the same color as teeth, are used to restore the front or back teeth, where cosmetic appearance is of great value. Even if your child still has milk teeth, this doesn’t mean that you should leave them to show any obvious cavity or teeth defect. You can rely on tooth-colored fillings to give the appearance of a better smile for your kids, as those fillings are as close as possible to your child’s natural teeth color.
The filling process usually goes this way:
- If your child can’t sit still during the drilling, the dentist will usually administer a local anesthesia.
- The dentist, then, cuts through the enamel using a drill to remove the cavity.
- Once the cavity is removed, the dentist shapes and cleans the area to prepare it for the filling.
- The tooth is polished.
- The filling is, then, applied in layers, then cured with blue light.
If you need more convincing about how tooth fillings can benefit your child, here’s a list of their potential benefits:
- They stop cavities from growing, as the decayed part of the tooth is removed. When the hole is sealed with filling material, the nerve endings in your dentine are protected from sensitivities and toothaches, which are common when a child suffers from cavities.
- They strengthen fractured teeth. This applies to those children who may have fractured teeth from an accident or physical activity, like sports. Your child’s tooth can also become fractured when they regularly chew on hard food, like candy.
4. Teeth Whitening
As your child becomes quite older, they may start to become more conscious about their teeth’s color. They may see their friends with pearly white teeth and compare those with their own, which they feel can use a bit of work. So, if your child has opened up to you and discussed the possibility of a teeth whitening treatment, it might be worth taking a look into.
To ensure your child stays safe, however, you may want to avoid those home teeth whitening kits for your child. It’s best to consult this option with your dentist first. That way, a proper ascertainment can be made as to whether or not your child is of the right age and if that procedure is really necessary.
You have to be wary of possible side effects that may come alongside teeth whitening, such as:
- It may result in enamel disintegration.
- This may increase tooth sensitivity.
- It may damage the gum tissue.
5. Dental Cleaning (Prophylaxis)
A dental cleaning procedure is also referred to as prophylaxis. Kids are advised to brush their teeth three times a day and floss once a day, as well as observe good oral health practices at home. But, this isn’t enough to give your child good oral health. It’s only through a professional dental cleaning treatment that a thorough cleanup of your child’s teeth can be achieved.
If you want your child’s smile to be restored, a dental cleaning session once every six months is a must. This doesn’t just keep you on top of the cavities, but it also ensures that the problem areas in your child’s teeth are properly addressed.
During the dental cleaning procedure, your child’s teeth will be cleaned to remove hard tartar deposits and plaque. If left to prosper, those can cause gum diseases and cavities. Once the cleaning is done, fluoride will then be applied on the teeth. The reason for this is that the fluoride serves as an added layer of protection against decay.
Abiding by regular dental visits is very important for the following reasons:
- It prevents cavities, especially that plaque is one of the leading causes of tooth decay. This isn’t just painful for children, but it’s unpleasant to look at as well.
- It brightens teeth, giving your kids a happier and more confident smile. Routine dental cleaning can wipe out any stain, which may discolor your child’s teeth.
- It improves overall oral health, avoiding infection and other diseases, so your child can enjoy healthier teeth and mouth.
6. Topical Fluoride
Topical fluorides are also known as fluoride varnish treatments. As such names imply, fluoride is varnished or brushed around the teeth, after a routine dental cleaning. When fluoride incorporates into the tooth’s enamel, the tooth becomes harder and more resistant to decay. For children over two years old, it’s recommended that they undergo a fluoride varnish treatment at least twice a year.
Here’s how fluoride varnish can benefit your child:
- Demineralization is stopped, therefore, slowing down the development of any tooth decay.
- It strengthens your tooth’s enamel by making it more resistant to acid attack.
- It may stop the metabolism of bacteria, so less acid is produced in the mouth.
7. Early Orthodontic Care
Early orthodontic care is an interceptive approach whereby you’re keeping an eye on your child’s oral development, even early on. No two kids are exactly alike when it comes to tooth spacing and formation. For instance, some may have crooked or crowded teeth, while some won’t. With early orthodontic care, you can address the teeth’s alignment. If not, your child’s teeth may continue to be misaligned even when they’re already adults.
When your kid is still young, they may not be as conscious yet about their teeth’s alignment. When they’re adults, however, it may affect their confidence to smile. So, taking an interceptive approach ensures a lower probability of more extensive orthodontic work in the future.
Conclusion
Above all else, the most important tip for you to remember is to be proactive about your child’s oral health. If you notice any irregularity or problem with your child’s teeth, go ahead and see a dentist immediately to know the right and best treatment options. Don’t let the dental problem progress to the point wherein it may have already escalated into an irreparable concern. Don’t settle for just any other dentist.