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When we're talking about cavities, the key word is “prevent.” We can’t stop all cavities, but we can help create an environment in your child’s mouth that makes their teeth less prone to decay.
Healthy Teeth Start with Oral Hygiene
You can do this at home by helping your child brush twice a day and floss once and watching the foods they eat. Brushing twice a day and flossing once eliminate bacteria and leftover food particles that combine to create cavities.
You can never start oral hygiene too soon, and for infants, we recommend wiping down their gums with wet gauze to eliminate plaque buildup.
Dental Sealants and Fluoride Protect Teeth
Another way to prevent cavities is with protective fluoride treatments and dental sealants applied by your pediatric dentist. Sealants cover the surface of hard-to-clean teeth like molars, which creates a protective barrier from bacteria and helps avoid cavities.
When you pair conscientious oral hygiene with dental exams and cleanings at Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry, you are doing everything you can to help prevent cavities.
Schedule Your Child's Next Dental Exam
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends routine dental visits every six months, beginning on your child's first birthday. Even if your little one doesn't need treatment at that time, these routine visits help set the stage for a lifetime of good oral health habits.
If it’s time to schedule your child’s first dental visit or you have an older child who’s due for their next cleaning and exam, please call our Staten Island dental office. A member of our team will be happy to help you schedule a convenient appointment.
ICON Resin Infiltration
At Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry, we offer ICON resin infiltration to help prevent cavities and treat white spots on teeth (demineralized areas). Resin infiltration treatment penetrates and fills tooth enamel to eliminate white spots without numbing, injections, or drilling.
ICON resin infiltration is a comfortable, straightforward procedure. First, we thoroughly dry the tooth, then use a special gel to etch its surface slightly. After a brief wait, we rinse off the gel, check the tooth, and repeat the steps.
The final step is to seal the treated area by applying infiltration liquid to the surface, smoothing and polishing the tooth.
Helps Prevent Cavities
In some cases, resin infiltration also enables us to treat a tooth defect before it becomes a cavity. Rather than waiting to see what develops, our dentists can treat the defect with resin infiltration right away and prevent it from becoming a full-blown cavity. This also eliminates the need to drill and fill the tooth later.
Minimal Intervention (MI) Paste
Minimal Intervention (MI) Paste comes in a tube like toothpaste and supplies calcium and phosphate to strengthen teeth. This non-invasive treatment protects baby teeth and offers numerous benefits:
- Strengthens tooth enamel
- Restores mineral loss by boosting calcium and phosphate
- Helps combat dry mouth by improving saliva flow
- Contains no fluoride and is safe for children under age six
Can These Treatments Benefit Your Child?
If you have questions about whether ICON resin infiltration or MI Paste can benefit your child, please call our Staten Island, NY dental office.
The age when the first tooth appears is highly variable from child to child. However, most will develop teeth between 6-12 months of age. Around three months, you may notice increased saliva or your baby putting their hands in their mouths. This is normal but does not indicate that they’re teething.
In most cases, the first teeth to emerge are the lower front teeth (lower central incisors); by age three, most children have all of their baby teeth.
Start Brushing when the First Baby Tooth Arrives
As soon as the first tooth emerges, you should start developing an oral hygiene routine. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste on a baby toothbrush and clean all around it. It’s crucial to brush after the last meal of the day and never put your child to sleep with a baby bottle as it can lead to tooth decay.
Schedule Baby's First Dental Visit
Around this time, you should also incorporate routine dental visits as part of preventive dental care. The American Academy recommends that children start visiting the dentist when the first baby tooth appears or by their first birthday, whichever comes first.
Fluoride Applications to Prevent Cavities
If you live near a well or your child drinks bottled water exclusively, your dentist may recommend a fluoride varnish. Fluoride is a mineral that hardens tooth enamel that also strengthens teeth, and it helps prevent cavities.
Call with Your Questions or to Schedule an Appointment
At Staten Island Pediatric Dentistry, we hope you consider us as a resource for all your questions. We are always available to answer your questions, and you can reach us by phone at (718) 761-7316 or email us using our convenient online contact form.