TOOTH DECAY IS THE NUMBER ONE CHRONIC DISEASE IN CHILDREN. It’s estimated that 25% of children under 5 years old have some form of tooth decay. 46,500 children last year were admitted to hospital to have teeth extracted. But SO much of the problem is preventable through routine dental appointments.
Add A Checkup To Your Back-To-School Checklist
You may be rushing around sorting out new shoes, uniforms and pencil cases but don’t forget about you child’s teeth. Getting them checked might be the most important new school year ritual.
During the summer holidays we can become complacent about our children’s teeth. Late nights, sweets and cold fizzy drinks are common treats during the summer and maybe maybe the regular brushing routine has slipped a little. A back-to-school checkup helps prevent long-term damage from occasional bad habits.
These are some of the things that you might find happen at a back to school check-up:
- Exam
- Prevention
- Fillings
During the check up the dentist will examine all the teeth and gums. Your dentist will give you helpful advice about your child’s specific oral care needs. This might be diet advice, how to care for weak enamel or where tooth brushing is missing certain areas of the mouth. If your child has crowded teeth then your dentist may advise referral to a specialist orthodontist.
A coating of fluoride varnish is often applied to children’s back teeth to help prevent cavities developing. Sometimes your child’s dentist may also suggest placing a special plastic coating called a fissure sealant on the back teeth to help prevent tooth decay.
If the dentist discovers a cavity that has developed since your child’s last visit it will likely need to be cleaned and filled to prevent further damage developing. If the work needed is extensive a follow-up appointment may be needed.
Tooth pain doesn’t usually start until decay reaches the tooth’s nerve so don’t wait until there’s a problem. Let you dentist catch problems early before your child has tooth pains or discomfort. Good preventive treatment happens BEFORE there’s pain.
Good Oral Health Habits Start Early
Taking an active role in your child’s oral health does more than just care for his or her teeth. You help your child develop good habits that will positively shape overall health for life.
To book your child’s free back-to-school examination, call PMA Dental Care, Gravesend on 01474 365671 or 0844 576 9905.
Are you ready for a great school year?
Top image by Flickr user woodleywonderworks used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.