Your pediatric dentist in Augusta, GA, stresses the importance of preventive care when giving kids the dental services they need. Excellent preventive care for your kids starts with a comprehensive visit to Dr. Tina Moses.
How poor oral hygiene affects kids
Just like adults, children are at risk for cavities in their teeth. Whether your child still has their primary teeth or their adult teeth have come in, preventive care goes a long way in stopping diseases and other oral health issues from affecting your child's mouth.
At home, you should limit your child's sugar consumption, including fruit juices, since sugar can lead to cavities. It's also great practice to brush their teeth after they eat candy, gummy vitamins, fruit leather, and other sticky snacks.
Even before their baby teeth come in, it's important that you clean your child's gums gently using a damp washcloth. Once the baby teeth start coming in, it's time to teach your child to brush every day, twice a day. You can start flossing once two teeth come in next to each other.
What your Augusta pediatric dentist can do to prevent oral health issues
All dentists stress the importance of getting kids enough fluoride. Most local water supplies have fluoride in them, but some don't. If your family prefers to drink purified water, or if your community doesn't have fluoride in the water, your Augusta, GA, pediatric dentist can give you fluoride supplements for your child.
Other important preventive treatments for kids, available at the dentist's office, include:
- Six-month exams
- Six-month cleanings
- Fluoride varnishes
- Sealants
Additionally, you can talk to your child's dentist about starting orthodontic treatment early. Orthodontics might not seem like preventive care on the surface in the same way that other treatments do, but a straight, well-aligned smile is easier to keep clean.
Don't wait to schedule your child's next appointment with Dr. Tina Moses, who can teach you the importance of preventive care. Contact your Augusta, GA, pediatric dentist today at (706) 863-6262.