Parents, it’s so important to continue with routine oral exams and hygienic cleanings throughout the year with children’s dentists in Amherst, Dr. Marie Tremblay and Dr. Europa Yang. Oral health depends on at-home hygiene practices and consistent preventive care at the dentist’s office.
Why Preventive Dentistry is Vital
Preventive dentistry keeps smiles durable and bright and gums pink and intact. Additionally, your pediatric dentist in Amherst tracks tooth and jaw development. After all, a child’s oral structure is not complete until young adulthood, and for many years, kids live with what dentists call “mixed dentition,” a combination of baby teeth and adult teeth, including those troublesome wisdom teeth, or third molars.
As with any time of transition, childhood presents challenges, especially in the area of dental health. Tooth decay and gum disease threaten youngsters’ oral and overall health. In fact, pediatric decay ranks first as the most frequently occurring childhood disease. Studies show it is five times more prevalent than asthma.
Orthodontic problems show up early on, too, and bear watching and active evaluation. Good nutrition is easily compromised by busy schedules and fussy appetites.
And then, there are sports and other physical activities. Kids require protection from accident and injury, and your dentist can supply custom-made acrylic mouthguards to keep teeth and gums from lacerations, tooth avulsion, fractures and other serious problems.
What Happens at a Pediatric Dental Check-up
Your dentist in Amherst likes to see young children when that first baby tooth erupts and then every six months from the age of three. The hygienist gently scales and counts the teeth and takes digital X-rays when required.
The dentist looks for signs of tooth decay and gum disease, evaluates the position and eruption of baby and adult teeth and assesses jaw development and function. The dentist also looks for signs of tooth grinding, or bruxism, and assesses for oral cancer–a deadly condition which is rare in children but increases in occurrence through adolescence and young adulthood. Detected and treated early, oral cancer has a high cure rate of 80 to 90 percent, says the Oral Cancer Foundation.
In addition, the doctor often recommends plastic sealants and fluoride treatments to protect young teeth from decay and sensitivity. Added to twice a day brushing and once a day flossing in the home, these preventive services keep teeth and gums healthy and detect problems while they are simpler and more easily treated.
The School Year is Starting
As you run all those other back-to-school errands, don’t forget to schedule your child’s routine dental visit. Good oral health keeps kids focused on their academics and after school activities. In addition, it keeps absenteeism down and helps mom and dad take fewer hours off from work.
Contact Northampton Pediatric Dentistry in Amherst or Northampton today for an appointment for your child. We’ll be glad to see him or her and help your family start the school off right.