You only have one set of adult teeth, and they need to last until you are 80, 90, or beyond. The actions you take towards your teeth today will either benefit you or harm you in the future. Of course, good dental care starts with seeing a dentist regularly. You should go in for cleanings and checkups, and any other time you think something might be amiss with your teeth. Education is important when it comes to any aspect of your health, so start reading the articles on this website to educate yourself about dentists and dental care. We promise that when you're 80 and you still have your teeth, you won't regret the time spent.
The Tooth of the Matter: A Dental Blog
5 Ways That A Dental Cleaning Benefits Your Child
Sofia Curtis
No matter how old a child is, they can benefit from dental cleaning. Just one or two dental cleanings per year can help to protect your child's teeth against a range of issues that might have long-term effects on their dental health.
Here are some of the ways that dental cleaning can benefit your child's oral health.
1. Protects Against Staining
Between brushing, plaque builds up on teeth, especially near the gum line. In time, if not removed, plaque hardens into tartar. Tartar is porous and therefore attracts staining molecules from colored foods like tomato sauce and fruit drinks. To protect your child's teeth from stains, a dental cleaning will help to scrape away any buildups of tartar from their teeth.
2. Prevents Gum Disease
Another issue with tartar is gum disease. Plaque and tartar are acidic. They both contain the acids from oral bacteria and acids from the foods that your child has consumed in the past. This is because of their porous and sticky nature. Unfortunately, these acids irritate gum tissue and can eventually lead to gum disease. A dental cleaning will prevent gum disease by removing plaque and tartar.
3. Keeps Decay at Bay
Just as tartar and plaque can damage a child's gums, they can damage the enamel of their teeth too. Prolonged exposure to the acids contained in plaque and tartar will gradually demineralize the enamel of a child's teeth. As a result, cavities will begin to form. To keep cavities at bay, make sure you take your child for a dental cleaning at least once every 6 months.
4. Stops Tooth Loss
Both gum disease and tooth decay can lead to premature tooth loss. Gum disease attacks the tissues that hold teeth in place. This loosens the affected teeth and could eventually cause them to fall out. Likewise, tooth decay will also lead to the loss of a child's teeth if left unchecked.
If these conditions affect your child's baby teeth, those teeth could come out prematurely. Baby teeth that fall out or need to be extracted early can cause problems for the permanent teeth. Baby teeth help the permanent teeth come in correctly. If the baby teeth come out too early then, the permanent teeth could come through in the wrong location or not at all.
5. Improves Confidence
Naturally, with clean, white teeth that are healthy and strong, your child will be more confident. They'll be able to smile without worrying about missing teeth or stains. This crucial if your child is already at school since it will affect their ability to socialize with other children.
If you are looking for more information, contact Dentistry For Children today!
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