By Dr. Aastha Chandra

|

10 Aug 2021

Preventive Dentistry For Children

Plenty of parents make the mistake of assuming that their childrens’ teeth are healthy just because they are young. But in reality, the children are more prone to dental decay because of improper brushing techniques and routines and the increased consumption of sugary foods. Preventive dentistry is extremely important in order to prevent the damage of these milk teeth which could inadvertently affect the formation of the permanent teeth.

Some of the preventive measures are as follows:-

1. Dental Sealants – These are translucent materials which the dentist applies over teeth with deep ridges. The application of these sealants, thus reduces the accumulation of food on these teeth which would have led to decay. This procedure is completely painless and takes less than 5 minutes.

2. Topical Fluoride Application – The application of fluoride increases the strength of the enamel. It improves it’s  resistance against the bacteria and food acids, thus making the teeth less likely to develop decay.

3. Teeth Cleaning – It is very difficult for younger kids to brush and floss properly. This leads to food accumulation between the teeth, which leads to the formation of plaque and tartar. A professional cleaning, at least once in 6 months, is required to eliminate this.

4. Space Maintainers – As the name suggests, these appliances (made of metal or plastic), maintain the space after the loss of a tooth. This prevents the adjacent teeth from drifting into this space and keeps the adjacent and opposing teeth steady till the permanent tooth erupts. This procedure also avoids expensive and time consuming orthodontic procedures later in life to move the teeth back into their original positions.

5. Sports Mouth Guards – These are customised appliances for your child’s teeth in order to protect their teeth and gums from sports injuries.