Being a child can be tough as everything is new to them. Dental visits can be a significant source of anxiety for younger patients. At OC Kids Dental we like to ensure that our patients and parents are properly informed about the importance of dental care. Children who understand the importance of dental care often Exhibit less anxiety about dental visits, maintain better oral hygiene practices at home and develop fewer dental cavities throughout their life.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are thin layers of resin that are placed on the pits, fissures, and grooves of molars to prevent decay on these surfaces.
The majority of decay on back teeth starts in the grooves and pits of chewing surfaces, especially during the first few years after their eruption. Sealing these surfaces with resins (Sealants) prevent this kind of decay.
Sealants are one of the most effective methods of preventing decay on the surfaces where they are placed. Although it is still a possibility that decay may develop on surfaces in between teeth, sealants significantly reduce the overall chance of having cavities. Please call Dr.Cima Mazar-Atabaki’s office in ALISO VIEJO for any questions.
Fluoride Treatment
Many years ago scientists started to notice that children who were born and raised in areas with natural fluoride in drinking water had fewer cavities than children in other areas. Fluoride absorbed by your body when teeth were forming (during mother’s pregnancy to early childhood) integrates into the structure of enamel and makes it stronger.
After teeth eruption, fluoride found in your toothpaste, mouthwash, or in what your dentist places on your teeth still has a positive effect on your teeth. It strengthens the enamel and reduces the chance of tooth decay.
If you have children and live in an area that has no fluoride in its drinking water, you should consult your pediatric dentist and physician about fluoride tablets that are available for children. As of 2007, Orange County increased Fluoride concentration in tap water, thus eliminating the need for fluoride supplementation for most children.
If you have any questions about Fluoride treatment Please call Dr. Cima Mazar-Atabaki’s office in Aliso Viejo !
Silver Diamine Fluoride
SDF, as silver diamine fluoride is commonly called, is a clear liquid that can be topically applied to a tooth’s surface that has caries. SDF has been shown to slow the progression of tooth decay.
Space Maintainers
Primary teeth stay in place until a permanent tooth comes in from underneath its position and pushes it out, taking it’s place in the mouth. Some children lose their primary teeth too early due to accidents or dental disease. When this is the case, a space maintainer may be recommended by your pediatric dentist to prevent space loss and future dental problems. It is important to remember the fact that some teeth are not replaced until a child is 12 or 14 years old.
Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that are custom fit to your child’s mouth. Most children adjust to them quickly. Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.
If left untreated, the condition may require future orthodontic treatment. Space maintainers hold open the empty space left by a lost tooth. They steady the remaining teeth, preventing movement until the permanent tooth takes its natural position.