Preventive Care

Why choose a pediatric dentist?

Just like your pediatrician is a highly specialized doctor focused on the growth and development of your child, your pediatric dentist is a highly trained dentist with specific expertise in the oral/dental needs of developing children through young adulthood. You’ll find that pediatric dentists are trained beyond what you’ll find with a general dentist – and that makes a big difference for little patients. Pediatric dentists have two to three years of additional education that focus on child psychology. This gives pediatric dentist the skills necessary to communicate with children in an effective manner while still being gentle and kids friendly.

As parents, we understand the importance of keeping our children’s teeth healthy and strong from an early age. That’s why we are dedicated to providing the best preventive dental care for kids in the York, PA area.

We believe that preventive care is the key to a lifetime of healthy teeth, and we are here to help your child get off to the best start. Contact us today to learn more about our pediatric preventive dental services and schedule your child’s appointment!

Fluoride

Fluoride Teeth are composed of many tiny pieces called molecules that attach to each other. These tiny pieces are constantly breaking apart throughout the day and reforming depending on our diet.

 

Dental Sealants

Fluoride can be thought of as a “glue” for these pieces by keeping the molecules more tightly bound together and less prone to breaking apart. Topical fluoride treatment is effective in protecting children’s teeth and reducing cavities. Dental Sealants Think of a tooth’s top (chewing) surface as mountains with many grooves. When your child eats, food gets caught in those grooves. Although daily brushing is essential, applying a dental sealant will enhance the ability to keep those hard-to-reach areas clean. A dental sealant flows into the grooves, “sealing” the tooth and reducing the probability of cavities.

 

Radiographs (X-rays)

Radiographs (X-rays) Radiographs (or X-Rays) are an essential part of our diagnostic protocol. Without them, dental conditions may go undetected. Dental X-Rays detect much more than dental cavities, and they allow the dentist to evaluate growth and development, bone health, pathology, and trauma. At Sunshine Pediatric Dentistry, we use the latest dental X-ray technology with very minimal exposure.

 

What is Preventive Dentistry?

Dental care is important for children as well as adults. As children grow up, they form habits that can be hard to break. One habit they should develop is proper dental care, and a big piece of that puzzle is participating in preventive dentistry. But what is the goal of preventive dentistry?

Our Service Keeps you Smile

As the name suggests, preventive dental care helps people prevent bad things from happening to their teeth and gums. Preventive care includes dental activities that help you maintain good oral health. 

Preventive dental care involves a combination of practices, habits and activities like brushing your teeth, flossing, eating healthy food and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. It’s also essential for people of all ages. 

Children and adults alike can benefit from preventive dental care, but many people overlook its importance for children. In truth, taking care of one’s teeth should start in early childhood and last for the rest of the person’s life. 

What Are the Benefits of Preventive Dental Care for Children?

Preventive dental checkups have many benefits for children. Here are a few of them:

  Minimize the risk of tooth decay: Cavities are small holes in teeth caused by tooth decay. As the bacteria in plaque accumulate on your child’s teeth, the bacteria secrete an acid that degrades the tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities. Preventive dental care helps remove this harmful bacteria to lower your child’s chance of getting cavities. 

Preserve tooth enamel: Healthy enamel is important for protecting your teeth. Enamel is a thin layer that surrounds one’s teeth, and it is the hardest tissue produced by the human body. Preventive dental care will ensure your enamel stays clean and strong, protecting your teeth from bacteria, plaque and cavities. Healthy enamel can also help reduce teeth sensitivity. 

Fight gum disease: Plaque is a root cause of many dental issues, including gingivitis, which is an early form of gum disease. Gum disease can occur when plaque gets under the gumline, leading to several adverse side effects like gum inflammation, bleeding, and receding gums. Pediatric dentists have the skills and tools necessary to clean below your child’s gum line, which can help prevent gum disease from occurring. 

Have better breath: Preventive dental care will also help your child have better breath. Removing plaque, bacteria and food particles will make the mouth a cleaner, healthier environment. This can boost their self-confidence and help them feel fresher throughout the day. 

Preventive Dental Care Habits at Home

As a parent, you have the responsibility to set an example of good oral hygiene at home. Your children will see that preventive oral care is important to you, and that will make it feel more important to them. As a result, your children will put an emphasis on taking care of their teeth from a young age, which can form habits that last a lifetime. 

The following preventive practices are beneficial in promoting children’s oral health at home:
Brush your teeth with your kids: Make teeth brushing time something your kids will look forward to by brushing with them. Children may view it as a time to bond with their parents, and they’ll like sharing the same experience with the person they look up to most. You can also talk to your kids about proper tooth brushing techniques to help them understand why certain patterns are important for dental health.
Help younger children brush their teeth: Very young children may have difficulty brushing their teeth on their own. You may have to wield the toothbrush for them during the time it takes them to learn to do it on their own. You can also use this time for education, so your children can look forward to the day when they can brush their teeth themselves.
Instruct children on the importance of flossing: Flossing is often overlooked, especially for young children. Make sure your child knows the importance of flossing, especially that they should strive to floss once per day for the most preventive benefits. If they see you flossing, that will help them want to floss even more. Note that you may have to help your children floss the first several times.
Consume a healthy diet: Sugary foods contribute to cavities. Unhealthy foods that lack proper nutrients can leave your teeth deficient in certain vitamins and minerals. Opt for a healthier diet full of leafy greens and foods high in vitamin C to help promote healthier teeth and gums for your child.

What Are Considered Preventive Dental Services?

Here are some of the various types of preventive treatment procedures performed in our practice:
Dental sealants: Dental sealants are a translucent resin material that the dentist spreads on your child’s teeth. The sealant fills in deep grooves in your child’s teeth where bacteria would normally build up. After the sealant hardens in place, your child can eat food without the food actually touching and sticking to their enamel. This process can reduce the risk of cavities in your child’s teeth.
Teeth cleanings: Routine professional teeth cleanings are essential for your child’s dental health. During these visits, the dentist will clean the child’s teeth with special techniques and tools to achieve the cleanest teeth possible. This is also a great opportunity for the dentist to discover dental issues as early as possible to reduce problems later. 

Fluoride: Fluoride can help strengthen and protect your child’s enamel. This solution will prevent cavities and keep your child’s enamel strong as they get older. Our fluoride treatments ensure your child gets all the benefits fluoride provides, helping their teeth stay healthy over time. Fluoride treatment is effective for both baby and adult teeth.

 Our mission is to provide the best pediatric dental services for your child. With our preventive care services, your child can enjoy a healthier mouth and learn valuable dental skills that can help them into their teenage and adult years. We invite you to schedule a pediatric dental exam today by clicking on "Make an Appointment" button or contact us at  (717) 843 - 8011 for more information. We look forward to serving you by helping your child achieve a healthier, happier smile! 

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