by Dr. Mandy Ashley DMD, MsEd, MS
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month. It is a great time to recognize the importance of baby teeth and to plan a visit to the dentist. Many schools have oral health programs this month to teach kids about brushing their teeth. I wanted to share three take home messages to help parents understand more about pediatric dentistry and how a visit to the dentist has changed in the past 20 years.
- Baby teeth are important. Baby teeth function to help kids chew, speak and smile. If baby teeth get cavities, kids can still feel pain and discomfort from their teeth. This can lead to missing school because of headaches and toothaches. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalization to treat serious i
nfections caused by deep cavities in the baby teeth. When baby teeth are lost too early because of trauma or tooth decay, it can slow down the process of growing in the adult teeth. It can also lead to space loss and crowding. Baby teeth serve a purpose and parents can help by stepping in and helping to brush these important teeth. - Dental care for children can be comfortable and fun! Many parents imagine a first dental visit to be similar to their own experience at the dentist’s office. Parents might wonder what a first dental visit is like and if it’s possible for a young child to enjoy the experience. My answer is most definitely! Many dental offices have special areas geared towards younger kids. These areas often do not have regular dental chairs and instead have a fun area where kids can play and jump around while their parents talk with the dental team about the best ways to prevent tooth decay. The first visit is often more talking and planning and just getting comfortable at the dental office.
- Consider a noninvasive treatment option. We often focus on prevention of tooth decay so that we can stop decay before it happens. Dental sealants are an easy way to help reduce the risk for decay in the deep grooves of the molars. The dental sealant flows into the grooves of a tooth and makes the tooth surface much smoother so that food is less likely to be caught in the grooves. Fluoride is another great way to prevent teeth decay. There is also a special type of fluoride called silver diamine fluoride which can arrest or stop decay in its tracks. It is as easy as just painting it on the tooth with a small brush. No drilling, no shots, no filling, just simple painting. Your child’s dentist can discuss these noninvasive treatment options with you.
Regular dental visits help protect your children from dental decay. Fun visits can help set the stage for comfortable future dental care. Dentistry has changed so much during the past few decades and evolved into a much more comfortable experience for children. Please consider making a dental appointment for your child if he or she has not had a checkup and cleaning during the past six months. With a little initiative, we can all help children achieve a lifetime of healthy smiles.
About the Author:
SKY Pediatric Dentistry is located at 727 US-31W Bypass, Suite 101 in Bowling Green, KY 42101. With 18 years experience, Board Certified Pediatric Dentist Dr. Mandy Ashley and her team provide modern, fun dental care for all children as well as adults with special needs. We now have a second office location in Hopkinsville!
Please visit our website , email info@skypediatricdentistry.com or call 270-715-5437 for more information on both the Bowling Green and Hopkinsville practices and to schedule an appointment for your child. Like SKY Pediatric Dentistry on Facebook and participate our awesome contests with GREAT prizes including Brushing Puppets, Pizza Parties, iPads and MORE!
