Caring for an Elderly Parent With Special Dental Needs
4 Treatments You Should Ask Your Child's Dentist About
Joe Lawrence
Whether your child is still unborn or starting to grow up, dental care should be one of the factors you consider regarding your child's health. There are many treatments that can benefit children of all ages. Check out these four treatments you may not have considered.
Sealants
Sealants are like an extra protective barrier for your child's teeth. They are typically placed on the back teeth only because they are often troublesome. Your molars (both primary and permanent) have small groves and crannies on the chewing surface. This is designed to make chewing easier, but it can cause major decay if your child fails to brush their teeth properly. Sealants fill in these groves with a protective surface. This way, food can't get stuck in the fissures and cause decay or infection.
Fluoride
A lot of cities have fluoride added to the drinking water to help improve tooth strength. Fluoride toothpastes are also available for kids who don't get enough fluoride naturally. Why is fluoride so important for growing teeth? When exposed to growing teeth, fluoride hardens and strengthens the enamel. With strong enamel, your teeth are less susceptible to decay. Your child's dentist may suggest fluoride treatments, such as a mouthwash at each dental visit to help strengthen the enamel.
Restorative Care
Even though your child is going to lose their primary teeth, you still want to take care of your child's baby teeth. Just as adults experience pain with a cavity or infection in a permanent tooth, children can experience severe pain if they develop a problem. On top of that, if the primary teeth are not well cared for, they can make the secondary teeth grow in crooked. Talk with your dentist about any necessary restorative care your child's teeth may need so you can ensure they have a healthy smile for life.
Orthodontia
While braces seem more common in teenagers, children can begin orthodontia treatment as early as seven years old. Treatment is actually easier at this age because the teeth are easier to move and the results are more effective. In some cases, getting your child early orthodontia care can prevent the need for braces in the future.
You need to worry about your child's teeth like you worry about all the other aspects of his or her health. If you would like more information regarding dental treatments for children, contact a local pediatric dentist at offices like Dentistry For Children & Adolescents.
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Caring for an elderly parent tends to be tough enough without the added stress of dealing with dental implants or dentures. But, the prospect is not the end of the world—there are many things you can do to ensure that your parent's dental health is not compromised without having to spend a lot of personal time doing the care yourself. Between working with the right dentist, hiring a service provider for part time work, and giving your parent the tools he or she needs to care for his or her own dental health at home, you'll find that dental health for your loved one isn't so tough or time consuming after all. Hopefully you are able to get the support and information you need right here.