Your dentist uses preventive dental care to stop serious oral health issues from ever forming. Preventive dental care entails a list of treatments, but it also refers to an approach. When you have a preventive mindset at home, you’re more likely to follow through on daily care routines. Brushing and flossing twice per day prevents bacteria from building up on the surfaces of your teeth. Visiting your dentist every six months prevents serious issues from developing without your knowledge. During these visits you may even choose additional preventive dental care.

How Do Preventive Dental Care Treatments Interact with Daily Care Steps?

When you or your child visits the dentist, your dentist will perform a cleaning and examination. The cleaning removes any bacterial buildup that you may not reach at home. The examination allows your dentist to get a closer look at the development of your teeth. While regular recommended cleaning at home can reduce cavity risk by a significant degree, not everyone’s mouths are the same. Genetics play a role in how susceptible you are to cavity formation. Additionally, children develop at different rates, and their ability to properly care for their teeth may vary as well.

What Additional Preventive Dental Care Options Do I Have?

For children, additional preventive care can help as they learn how to care for their teeth. Dental sealants provide a great option for protecting molars and back teeth as children learn how to brush and floss. Sealants are thin layers of biocompatible material that cover the recesses in back teeth and prevent bacteria from building up inside. In addition to sealants, your pediatric dentist may also recommend fluoride rinse. Fluoride treatment remineralizes enamel and fortifies it after the enamel experiences wear. Both of these additional preventive dental care options can reduce your child’s risk for long-term oral health issues.

Preventive Care Includes Oral Cancer Screenings

Oral cancer rarely occurs in children, but screening for this condition still provides benefits. Catching oral cancer early on leads to the best patient outcomes. These screenings can be completed during routine dental checkups, and they offer peace of mind. Signs of oral cancer include red or white patches in the throat, difficulty swallowing, moving the tongue, or chewing, and dry ulcers on the lip. Keeping an eye out for any developing conditions between dental visits ensures that your child maintains strong oral health.

Schedule Preventive Care at the Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock

Your child’s oral health care impacts their long-term oral health. Additional preventive care treatments can reduce cavity risk and lead to bright smiles throughout your child’s lifetime. The Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock provides regular checkups, screenings, and additional care when necessary. Schedule an appointment for additional preventive dental care with the Pediatric Dentistry of Round Rock in Round Rock, TX by calling 512-733-5311.