Preventative Dentistry in Chicago For Families
When it comes to our teeth and gums, the best thing we can do for them is protect them. Preventative dental care is any and all procedures that help prevent dental problems. A common misconception that parents and kids can have is that the only necessary preventative care is what you do at home. While brushing and flossing are essential to your oral health, it is not a replacement for the treatments that you receive at the dentist’s office. Cleanings and exams at the dentist are essential to detecting dental issues early and preventing them from occurring in the first place. It can actually be impossible to remove some plaque and tartar with just a toothbrush and floss.
Here at All Star Dental, we want to help patients of all ages improve their oral health. It is always our goal to help people avoid problems like lost adult teeth, cracks/chips, cavities, and root canals by providing excellent care and dental treatments. For patients in the Chicago area who need help scheduling routine dental treatments, please contact one of our five offices or click below for our online scheduling service. Otherwise, keep reading to learn more about how preventative care can help you and your kids!
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What Is Preventative Dental Care?
Preventive dental care is any procedure that helps prevent dental problems like tooth decay. These types of treatments are frequently most present during your regular checkups. They can be divided into two main groups:
Dental Cleanings: During your dental visit, you will likely have your teeth professionally cleaned by your dental team. Cleanings include flossing, brushing, and scraping away tartar and plaque that is stuck to the surface of the teeth. These treatments can also include fluoride procedures and dental sealants. All of these treatments specifically work together to make your teeth stronger and to remove the bacteria that cause dental decay and gum disease.
Dental Exams: An exam can include both a general visual exam as well X-rays. During an exam, your dentist is looking for any signs of cavities, damage to your teeth, gum disease, or other warning signs of potential dental problems. Dental problems frequently go unnoticed for months or even years. By seeing a dentist twice per year, you decrease the duration of time that a problem can develop.
How Often Do Kids and Adults Need to See The Dentist?
Both children and adults should see the dentist twice every year, or once every six months. Kids should see the dentist when they turn six months old or start to develop their teeth.
For children and teens, quick dental visits help us track their developing oral health and ensure that teeth are coming in on time, falling out safely, and getting replaced with adult teeth. Throughout that process, dentists want to make sure that children develop healthy habits at home and learn proper brushing and flossing techniques.
For adults, dental visits are just as important! While there isn’t as much concern about tracking your oral development, it is still important to track changes in your oral health and provide treatments that help prevent cavities, root canal, and damage to your teeth.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Preventive Dentistry
How Do You Encourage Kids To Take Care Of Their Oral Health?
At different stages of development, kids can be encouraged in quite a few ways to build healthy oral habits. First, kids will mirror and lean on you to build their daily routines. Brushing and flossing with them every morning and after dinner can not only help them keep their teeth and gums healthy, but it can also help them understand that oral habits are a part of daily life. As kids get older, tracking tools like a calendar with some stickers are a great way for them to conceptualize their progress. Another great way to help your kids is with music. Music can make brushing and flossing more fun, but more importantly, it can help ensure that your kids are brushing their teeth for at least two minutes at a time. Finally, make sure to book regular checkups with their dentist. During dental checkups, kids are encouraged to take care of their teeth, and proper techniques are demonstrated by the dental team.
When Can Kids Start Brushing Their Own Teeth?
Kids should start practicing brushing their teeth at a young age. Many parents start encouraging kids to brush their own teeth around age three. But kids will not be able to brush their teeth on their own until they are about seven to nine years old. For those first few years, you can let them practice, but you should brush their teeth for them and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. As they get closer to age seven, you can encourage them to start by brushing their teeth, and help them by finishing for them. Until kids have the dexterity and fine motor controls needed to tie their own shoes, they should not be brushing their teeth on their own.
Do Adults Need Dental X-rays as Often as Kids?
Yes, both adults and kids should get dental X-rays yearly, or as often as their dentists recommend them. For kids, dental X-rays can help us track the development of their smiles and see how their adult teeth are coming in. For parents, dental X-rays help us detect problems that might not be seen in a traditional dental exam. Cavities can often hide between teeth, and signs of decay can often be beneath the gum line.
How Long Do Dental Sealants Last?
Dental sealants are a preventive dental procedure that are often recommended by dentists for kids and teens to protect their molars against cavities and dental decay. Dental sealants will usually last anywhere from five to ten years. That said, they are the most effective in the first few years after they are applied. How you take care of your teeth impacts how long they last.