Listly by alyson-ellis-ny
We all know that it’s essential to brush and floss to keep our teeth and gums strong and healthy. Good dental health is especially important for kids since they’re more prone to dental cavities than adults. Plus, they can get gingivitis if they don’t follow proper oral hygiene and don’t visit dentists regularly. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease - a condition that can negatively affect overall health.
We all know that it’s essential to brush and floss to keep our teeth and gums strong and healthy. Good dental health is especially important for kids since they’re more prone to dental cavities than adults. Plus, they can get gingivitis if they don’t follow proper oral hygiene and don’t visit dentists regularly. Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease - a condition that can negatively affect overall health.
You don’t want your kid to experience tooth loss and the pain from cavities and decay. Proper dental hygiene and professional dental cleanings are the two best ways to prevent many dental issues. In this article, we’ll talk about professional teeth cleanings.
During a professional dental cleaning, a pediatric dentist will start with performing a physical exam of the kid’s mouth, taking X-rays, and performing a periodontal screening. Periodontal screening is aimed at checking gums for inflammation, bleeding, and sensitivity. After the exam, the doctor will remove tartar from the teeth using scalers and ultrasonic instruments. Once the teeth have been cleaned, the dentist will polish them and apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel.
Here are seven benefits of professional dental cleanings for your children that may surprise you:
Plaque that builds on a kid’s teeth consists of cavity-causing bacteria and is the leading cause of tooth decay. The harmful bacteria from plaque eat away the tooth enamel and, if left ignored, can result in multiple cavities. Plaque can be removed by regular brushing and flossing. But keep in mind that brushing and flossing are not enough to remove all plaque from teeth, that’s why professional dental cleanings are essential for mouth health.
Advanced gum disease is a long-term infectious condition that provokes severe gum inflammation. People with chronic, severe periodontal disease are at increased risk of certain cancers such as colorectal, lung, and pancreatic cancer.
Regular professional teeth cleanings and exams can help your kid avoid cavities and gum disease.
Even if your kid brushes and flosses every day, plaque still builds up in hard-to-reach areas, which can contribute to bad breath. Regular dental cleanings can help decrease the bacteria that provoke bad breath.
Some foods tend to stain teeth. During a professional dental cleaning, dentists will polish your kid’s teeth, remove stains, and return them to their original smoothness.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States. Although kids are not prone to heart conditions when they grow up their risk increases. So, teaching your kids to have regular dental cleanings is a good way to prevent further risk of heart disease.
Scientists have found that people who get regular professional dental cleanings have a 14% lower risk for heart issues than those who never go to the dentist.
Teeth cleanings will help your kid avoid dental cavities and gingivitis, so you won’t need to spend your money on cavities and gingivitis treatments. Plus, professional cleanings are a good way to prevent tooth loss and thus dental implants.
Unfortunately, diabetes affects children as well. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 210,000 Americans under age 20 suffer from diabetes.
The link between high blood sugar levels and gum disease has long been established. Good dental hygiene has been connected to a lower risk of diabetes.
Regular dental visits and professional cleanings can help protect your children from possible dangerous conditions and keep their teeth strong and healthy. It’s better to invest in dental cleanings than in dental implants or medications for treating heart conditions, diabetes, or other health issues.