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Healthy diet = Healthy smile!
What we eat and how often we eat play important roles in attaining and maintaining a healthy smile. It is important to teach children healthy eating habits that will lead to healthy teeth. A well-balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables is important to maintaining dental and overall health. Eating candy places teeth at risk for dental caries. Many other foods and beverages, particularly those high in added sugar, can cause cavities as well. Frequent snacking or sipping on sugary beverages, such as soda, juice, sports drinks, and flavored water, creates an acidic environment that increases the risk of cavities. Teaching children healthy eating habits when they are young will help them maintain the best possible health throughout their lives.
Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent cavities by making teeth more resistant to the detrimental effects of acid, plaque, and bacteria in the mouth. Fluoride can also heal some cavities before they require a filling. Fluoride is generally routinely applied directly to teeth in the form of toothpaste and mouth rinse. Stronger fluoride treatments may also be applied in our office to provide greater protection for children with cavities and those at increased risk for developing cavities.
Sealants
The chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) have grooves and fissures that make them vulnerable to cavities. Most tooth decay in children and teens occurs on these surfaces because the recesses can be deep and are very difficult to keep clean. Dental sealants can be applied to the chewing surfaces of molars to protect them from cavities by sealing the grooves with a thin, protective coating.
Athletic Mouth Guards
Injuries can occur when children participate in recreational activities and organized sports. A properly fitted mouth guard that covers the teeth and gums helps to reduce the risk of serious injury to the teeth, lips, and gums. Our office can create a custom mouth guard for your child with his or her choice of color and design.
Space Maintainers
Some children may need a space maintainer if they lose primary (baby) teeth prematurely due to trauma or extraction because of severe dental disease. Space maintainers are custom-made to maintain the right amount of space for permanent tooth development so that appropriate tooth alignment and orientation are preserved. |
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