It is National Oral Health Month and it is a great time before spring and summer to brush up on ways to protect your children’s smiles! The Windsor Essex Health Unit has recently reported that the number of children with urgent dental needs has doubled in the past year. The best advice for parents is prevention.
Here are some tips on how to prevent cavities and keep your child’s smile healthy and happy.
1. Find a dental home by age 1:
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that children have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the eruption of their first tooth. This early visit helps establish a dental home for your child, where they can receive regular check-ups, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and education on oral hygiene and nutrition. Windsor-Essex and Chatham are home to an amazing and diverse group of general dentists with a range of office settings that you can see to match to your family’s needs.
2. Brush and floss daily:
Brushing and flossing are the most effective ways to remove plaque and bacteria from your child’s teeth and gums. You should brush your child’s teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. You should also floss your child’s teeth once a day, preferably at night, to remove plaque from between the teeth.
3. Limit snacking and sugary drinks:
While the classic advice to prevent cavities is to avoid “junk” foods, it’s important to understand that frequency of eating and drinking is very important. Eating mainly at meal times and limiting any type of snacks between is one of the best tools to control frequent cavities to ensure the acidity in the mouth can neutralize with normal salivary flow.
4. Seek dental care when needed:
If your child has any signs of dental problems, such as toothache, sensitivity, swelling, bleeding, or broken teeth, do not delay seeking dental care. These problems can worsen over time and lead to more serious complications, such as infection, abscess, or tooth loss. Contact your dentist or the health unit as soon as possible to get your child the treatment they need.
5. Orthodontics creates a healthy, confident smile for life:
A curious question of most parents is when or if their child will need braces. The Ontario Association of Orthodontists recommends children are screened at 7 years old. As an orthodontist, we screen for skeletal issues, such as a crossbite, underbite, and crowding. Most children will not need treatment this young, but families will know a plan of what is to come and monitor growth of the teeth and jaws to intercept if anything arises. A referral is not needed to see most orthodontists, and they will work to coordinate care with your family dentist.
Orthodontics has changed drastically in the last five years. New modalities like Invisalign clear aligners have made obtaining one’s perfect smile customized, seamless, and drama-free, increasing the proportion of adults in treatment. New 3D-printed clear braces, such as Lightforce, introduce a level of digital planning and customization of moving teeth that has unlocked efficient treatment times and less visits. Remote care and monitoring has really aided in making treatment fit our (and our kids’) busy lives.
Orthodontics can still be very affordable. Although fees can vary widely between offices, some offer completely free exams, payment plans (some with no down payment nor interest!) and their teams usually will help families obtain reimbursements if they have coverage.
Smiles are the first thing we see. Prevention is extremely important and the ability to change your child’s smile can instill a strong sense of confidence and self-worth for life.
Dr. Maxwell Abraham is the owner of Abraham Orthodontics in Leamington and now in Chatham at 729 St. Clair. A referral is not needed to see his #AOmazing team for a free smile exam (book one at http://www.abrahamorthodontics.com).
Children not ready for treatment are seen in their free Growing Smiles Club yearly! Dr. Abraham is also director of the board at Erie Shores HealthCare and treasurer of the Ontario Association of Orthodontists.
– This story is sponsored content.
