If you are a parent, it is only natural that your child’s well-being is your top priority. It should go without saying that their well-being includes their oral health. Children’s oral health impact on general health cannot be understated. The good news is that it starts with you and if you are intentional about it, you can set your child on the right path of excellent oral hygiene and dental procedures.
Here at North Pointe Dental Associates, we are home to some of the best dentists in Tampa. We often get questions from our patients about children’s oral health. So, today we are sharing everything you need to know about some of the most common dental procedures for kids.
Children’s oral health facts
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 5 children (20 percent) aged between 5 and 11 years and 13 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. Poverty has proven to be a major factor affecting children’s oral health, with children from low-income families being twice as likely to have issues with cavities when compared to children from higher-income households.
How does oral hygiene affect children’s overall health and well-being?
The most common oral health problems include tooth decay and gum disease, both of which are caused by plaque – a strip of bacteria on the surface of the teeth that can damage tooth enamel, irritate gums, and eventually lead to tooth loss. Both of these issues can be avoided with good oral health habits, as well as fixed with dental procedures. Poor oral health has been linked to certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, oral cancer, and stomach ulcers.
What dental procedures are the most common for kids
Good oral hygiene is the cornerstone of your kid’s dental health, but preventive dental procedures can also help keep children’s teeth in perfect condition.
Fillings are one of the most common procedures in our dental office. This type of dental work does not require any of the common types of sedation. The pediatric dentist will numb the tooth and remove the cavities, followed by filling with either silver amalgam or ceramic porcelain.
Extraction is another common procedure. Extraction might be a good option if a tooth gets too infected or if there is not enough room in the mouth. If you are hesitant about putting kids to sleep for dental procedures, the good news is that pulling a tooth does not require sedation either.
Dental cleaning is arguably one of the most important habits, and it is easiest to form in childhood. Routine cleanings are critical because children’s teeth are more susceptible to cavities, so make sure to schedule it for your kid as well.
Schedule an appointment today!
With only the best Tampa dentists on our team, we are confident our competent and friendly staff can help you tackle every issue you are concerned about. Call us today at (813) 961-1727 and schedule your kid’s next appointment.
