Tackling Your Dental Treatment Plan

It's important for parents to know what dental treatments their children need. When you take your child to a pediatric dentist, there are some treatments that you'll need to make sure your child is getting for the best possible dental health. The following are seven important treatments that can optimize the dental health of your child. 

Cleanings

Cleanings are one of the most basic and important dental treatments that kids need to get. Cleanings remove plaque and minimize the presence of bacteria on the gums and teeth. Regular cleanings minimize the chances that a growing child will develop cavities and also keep the teeth looking whiter. 

Fluoride treatments

Fluoride treatments involve placing topical fluoride over the teeth via a tray that a child will bite into for a certain period of time. Fluoride is essential in fortifying teeth against the development of cavities. Children who undergo fluoride treatments while growing up are less likely to experience cavities both during their youth and later in life.  

Dental sealants

Similar to fluoride treatments, dental sealants also help to strengthen a child's teeth and prevent cavities from developing. Dental sealants are typically applied on the molars, but they can be used on other teeth in the mouth as well. These sealants prevent bacteria from penetrating the teeth and eventually causing cavities to develop. 

Extractions

Many children need to have extractions done at some point while they're growing up. One common reason why children need extractions is because their baby teeth haven't come out naturally yet but their adult teeth are coming in. There are many other possible reasons why a child might need an extraction. 

X-rays

X-rays are important for detecting a variety of dental issues in a child's mouth. In particular, X-rays are important for detecting the development of cavities. Your child's pediatric dentist is likely to recommend X-rays at every appointment to make sure that your child's teeth and mouth are developing properly. 

Fillings

Unfortunately, cavities sometimes develop in a child's mouth and require fillings. Getting fillings done promptly when needed is essential for preventing worsening tooth decay and the potential need for a root canal if cavity growth advances down to the dental pulp. 

Early orthodontic treatment

One important thing dentists do as a child grows older is determine if a child needs orthodontic treatment. It's important to begin orthodontic treatment as early as possible to avoid dental issues that can develop or be aggravated by crooked or otherwise damaged teeth. 

Reach out to a pediatric dentist for more information.