Are you a parent? Chances are you have a family doctor or pediatrician you trust to treat your children when they get sick. However, you may not have picked out a family cosmetic dentistry specialist to care for your kids’ oral hygiene and dental needs. This is actually an important decision. The tooth care habits that your little ones develop early on are likely to stay with them for the rest of their lives. In addition, many of the dental issues that arise are easiest to treat in childhood before the damage becomes severe. For example, if teeth are misaligned or wisdom teeth are causing crowding this can lead to the development of cavities and gingivitis. That’s because crooked teeth are harder to keep clean - even if you teach your kids good brushing and flossing practices.
The benefits of having a dedicated family cosmetic dentistry expert provide care for your kids starting early on is that they can track changes that occur over time. Staying on top of a misaligned bite and correcting it as soon as possible can mean the difference between an easily corrected speech impediment and one that is persistent. A retainer or braces may be recommended to fix crooked or misaligned teeth and ensure that your child grows up with a smile they can feel comfortable showing to everyone. Fortunately, modern braces are much more comfortable than old fashioned ones (and a lot less ugly). So, you can look forward to less resistance from your kids when you take them in for this type of corrective cosmetic treatment.
The family cosmetic dentistry experts at Smiles by Sands know that good oral hygiene starts in infancy. They offer helpful advice for how to wash your baby’s gums and instructions for gently cleaning those first tiny teeth with water and a soft bristle brush. You can even bring your babies in to get them used to the atmosphere of the dentist office prior to their first real dental treatment at the age of 3. This is a great opportunity to learn all about child-safe toothpastes and proper brushing techniques. You might even learn a thing or two that will help you keep your own teeth and gums in better health. In fact, parent/child dental appointments are an option lots of patients select to get the dental needs of their whole family met in one appointment.
If you are interested in saving money, taking your kids to your family cosmetic dentistry office on a regular basis is a sound investment. You can access tooth decay prevention services such as dental sealants. This protective coating is applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars (where cavities often start). Having each permanent molar sealed as it comes in - before it has a chance to decay - can save you a pretty penny. Since the sealing process is quick and painless, it’s an obvious choice for many parents. Preventing cavities keeps your kids from having to experience the pain that comes with drilling and fillings. For more information on keeping your family’s teeth in great shape, get in touch with Smiles by Sands.
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