Most parents know children’s oral health basics: brush regularly, reduce sugar intake, limit snacking, and get adequate amounts of calcium and Vitamin D. Cary Family Dental recommends three additional tools for preventing cavities in toddlers and children.
Sealants
Fluoride supplements
Oral rinses
Resin dental sealants are applied by your dentist. The material bonds to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, preserving the pits and fissures from decay. Some North Carolina dental insurance providers cover dental sealants, so check with your provider if you are considering them.
Fluoride supplements help strengthen still-forming teeth prior to eruption. You can get a prescription from your pediatrician or talk to us at Cary Family Dental in Cary. There is one caveat, however: if you have fluoridated water, your pediatrician may counsel against taking additional fluoride in supplement form.
If your child is taking fluoride supplements, is an oral rinse redundant? Actually, no. Fluoride supplements help strengthen teeth that are still forming, but a fluoride rinse helps teeth that have already come in. Make sure you choose one specifically formulated for children. Products labeled as mouthwash are usually intended only for breath-freshening and may not contain fluoride.
I advise children to use an oral rinse after they brush and floss at night. They are most effective when they are the last substance on teeth before kids go to bed.
At Cary Family Dental, we believe that with proper preventative dentistry, kids can enjoy healthy teeth for life.
Contact Cary Family Dental:
919-371-4428
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
915 Kildaire Farm Rd
Cary, North Carolina
27511
