| Up to What Age Should My Child Have Fluoride Treatment? |
Your child brushing their teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and seeing the dentist every six months works toward keeping optimal oral health. Even so, did you know that having a rinse of the mouth with fluoride is crucial in preventing cavities and decay? Additionally, fluoride helps ensure your son or daughter's teeth remain healthy and strong. Dentists will recommend that you have your child receive fluoride treatment from an early age.
Fluoride is available in two varieties: systemic and topical. Systemic fluoride is ingested through public water supplies. When teeth are growing under the gum tissue, fluoride is utilized to strengthen the enamel, ensuring they are strong and can resist cavities.
On the other hand, fluoride is delivered topically through mouthwash, toothpaste, and professional fluoride applications to help combat cavities in teeth. In the dentist's office, fluoride is painted on the teeth to create a coat that prevents plaque from forming and hardening on the enamel. It's available as a foam or varnish.
Fluoride varnish or foam application is a requirement in all child and teen checkup visits and programs. It is advised that you have the dentist start their fluoride treatment around the time the first tooth erupts or before the first birthday. Regular fluoride treatments are beneficial for kids of all ages, and for adults as well. Depending on the child's enamel health, a dentist may decide to provide the treatment more than the usual twice a year to help ensure stronger enamel that can resist plaque acids.
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| Why Baby Teeth Are Important
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Primary teeth, also referred to as baby teeth, are crucial for developmental, functional, health, and aesthetic purposes. Not only do these teeth help kids chew naturally and speak clearly, but they also help in forming the route that permanent teeth will follow when they start erupting. They serve as space retainers for the permanent teeth yet to erupt.
Furthermore, baby teeth help maintain a good facial and bite appearance for children. It is prudent to begin introducing your child to healthy oral hygiene habits and visits to a dental office for checkups and monitoring of teeth development. Bring your child in to have an oral health engagement with our dentist for a long life with excellent oral health.
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| I Have Completed My Braces Treatment, Will I Need Retainers? |
Wearing retainers is paramount after having had braces. Even after your braces are removed, a lot still needs to be done to lock your teeth in their new position permanently. The newly aligned teeth can shift to previously undesired positions when left alone, without holding them to their current desirable position. It is for this reason that a dentist will suggest that you get retainers that are fitted to secure the teeth to their current aligned position. It is, therefore, important that besides wearing your retainers as recommended by our dentist, you keep up with regular appointments after your braces are removed.
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