Apart from this, one of the more challenging aspects of kids dentistry is the fact that making proper diagnoses is more complicated than it is when working with adults. When we need to know about an adult patient’s discomfort, all we have to do is ask. Typically an adult can give us all of the pertinent details like where it hurts, how long it has been hurting, and what kind of discomfort it is. A child, on the other hand, does not have the same concept of preciseness.
As a kids dentist, we use various methods to find information that a child may or not be able to share with us, making diagnosis a slightly longer process. In addition to this, we know that being in a strange place, surrounded by people in white coats can intimidate children so we are careful in our approach to providing them with dental care.
Cavities and Your Children’s Teeth
As a kids dentist, we see many of the same challenges that the regular, adult dentist, does. With kids, we often see an increase in the number of cavities that they get. This is because most children enjoy eating food that is high is sugar and starch which contributes to decay. One of our goals is to educate parents on how they can help to prevent their children from getting cavities.
Decay, or cavities, are the byproduct of overactive bacteria in the mouth. The human mouth always has bacteria, usually many strains that are harmless to the mouth in most cases. However, without proper oral hygiene, bacteria can colonize the teeth. People can recognize the presence of bacteria by the thin yellow film that forms on dirty teeth, which is known as plaque.
Plaque buildup can cause significant damage to teeth, which is why we recommend bringing the child in at least once every six months for a professional teeth cleaning procedure. The procedure allows us to remove plaque from those hard to reach places. Otherwise, the bacteria in the plaque will feed on foods rich in sugars and starch. In the process, they will release acid that washes over the teeth. This acid is extremely corrosive to the teeth and starts to wear down the enamel. As the enamel wears away a small hole or cavity develops.
Without professional treatment, cavities can do severe damage, spread, and even lead to gum disease. The good news is that parents can easily help their children avoid cavities by teaching children to brush twice a day, floss once a day, rinse after eating something very sweet, and visit our kid’s dentist office for teeth cleaning.
