Preventive Dentistry
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive Dentistry 101
Preventive Dentistry 101Visiting the dentist every six months for preventive dentistry services is important to keep your children’s developing smiles healthy and beautiful, and the key to reducing the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and the need for dental procedures in the future. Smile Wright Dental offers several preventive dental services, including:
The goal of preventive dentistry is to keep teeth and gums clean to avoid damage caused by tooth decay and periodontal disease. Regular visits to the dentist help manage plaque and tartar build-up and ensure that any possible problems are identified and managed as quickly as possible. Dr. Wright can work with you and your children to set up a preventive dentistry plan that works for your family and will result in beautiful smiles for years to come!
Recommended Oral Habits
In addition to regular visits to the dentist, it’s important to practice good oral care habits at home. It’s never too early to introduce your child to a good oral care routine. There are many things you can do to prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. The team at Smile Wright Dental in Xenia, Ohio, recommends you follow these guidelines to help minimize your children’s chances of developing oral health problems:
- Brush teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste
- Floss between teeth at least once a day
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet with minimal sugary, acidic foods
- Visit our office twice a year for check-ups and dental cleanings
- Ask our staff about optional dental sealants and fluoride treatments to find out if they are right for your children’s smiles
Preventive Dentistry FAQs
At Smile Wright Dental, we focus on helping children build strong oral health habits from an early age. Here are some common questions parents ask about preventive dentistry and how we help kids maintain healthy smiles.
Preventive dentistry lays the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Regular cleanings, exams, and fluoride treatments help us catch small issues early, before they become bigger problems. These visits also give your child a chance to get comfortable at the dentist and learn how to care for their teeth at home.
Tooth decay, cavities, and early gum inflammation (gingivitis) are the most common dental issues in kids. Cavities can develop quickly in baby teeth, especially if your child snacks frequently or doesn’t brush well. Preventive care through routine dental cleanings and exams can significantly reduce your child’s risk.
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in speech, nutrition, and guiding adult teeth into place. Regular checkups with dental X-Rays every six months help us monitor growth, remove plaque, and catch any signs of decay or developmental concerns early.
If your child has a prolonged thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting habit, it could affect how their teeth and jaws develop. A habit appliance is a small device placed in the mouth to gently discourage these actions and prevent bite or alignment problems down the road. We only recommend them when we see that a habit is likely to cause lasting changes.
Sealants are a protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. If your child has deep grooves in their molars, is prone to cavities, or has trouble reaching those areas with a toothbrush, Dr. Wright may recommend sealants. We’ll assess this during a routine visit and let you know if they’re a good fit.
For children under age three, use a smear (about the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. Once your child can spit, switch to a pea-sized amount. Look for toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance and supervise brushing until your child can brush their teeth effectively on their own, which is usually around age 6 or 7.
Do you have more questions? The Smile Wright Dental team is always here to help guide your child’s smile in the right direction. Feel free to call our office or use our online appointment request to schedule your child’s next visit today!
