Sedation Dentistry

If you’re anxious about visiting the dentist, talk with your dentist’s office about sedation dentistry before your visit. Sedation dentistry is the practice of using medication to help you relax during your visit. There are several types of sedation, depending upon your anxiety level as well as your preference. You may opt to be minimally sedated, meaning you’ll still be awake and aware, yet relaxed. If the thought of still being aware during the procedure makes you anxious, you may choose to be moderately sedated, in which you’ll still be conscious, but likely not remember the procedure.

If you want to be even further sedated, you could ask your dentist for a deep sedation, in which you’ll be barely conscious, or finally, just have general anesthesia done, in which you’re completely unconscious. Most dentist offices offer sedation dentistry and you’ll need to confirm and ask what types will be available to you on the day of your visit.

Advanced Technology

When was the last time you went to the dentist? If it’s been a little while, remember that modern technology has changed the field of dentistry and the dentist today likely isn’t the dentist of your childhood memories. Most of the tools the dentists use are quiet, small, and minimally invasive. Technology makes many dental procedures less invasive, such as laser treatments and quiet drills. Nearly any treatment offered by your dentist now is able to be completely pain-free! It’s always important to voice your fears to your dentist or dentist office before treatment so that your appointment will be comfortable and painless for you.

Finding the Right Dentist

Remember that while dental appointments and dental work might make you anxious, the longer you put off treatment, the more work you’ll need and the worse your oral health will be. So while it’s challenging to visit a dentist while you have anxiety, you can start by looking for the right dentist to help you. The right dentist will be someone who’s caring and compassionate, especially in regards to your dental anxiety. You might start by asking your friends and family for recommendations: dental anxiety is very common, and some people might be able to recommend a dentist they’ve had positive experiences with even with dental anxiety. There are plenty of dentists out there who see patients with dental anxiety all the time—you just have to find a dentist that you’re confident will fit your needs.

Take the time to visit different dentist offices, talk to the receptionists, ask about sedation dentistry, and even meet the dentist. Don’t delay your dental appointments because of your anxiety—remember that you can find the best dentist for you with a little research, and sedation dentistry and technology can help make your appointment worry-free!

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What Causes It

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again—sugar is terrible for your teeth. The same is true with children, who can experience tooth decay if they frequently drink sugary drinks and then the sugar is left to sit on their teeth for long periods of time. Baby bottle tooth decay can also happen if you let your child go to bed with a bottle filled with a sweet drink. Tooth decay happens as a result of bad bacteria in the mouth that can cause cavities. Even if you’re careful about not letting your child have too many sugary drinks, you could pass bacteria from your mouth to your baby’s mouth if you share utensils, etc. Tooth decay is generally result of a combination of these factors when it comes to baby bottle tooth decay.

How to Prevent It

Tooth decay is preventable for your toddler! To help prevent baby bottle tooth decay, try not to let your saliva end up in your child’s mouth, whether it be from sharing food or cleaning pacifiers. You can also clean your baby’s gums by wiping them with a clean cloth after each meal. When the baby teeth arrive, you can already start brushing them gently!

Other healthy habits include never letting your child drink sugary drinks out of a bottle, which should only be reserved for milk, and don’t let them go to sleep with their bottle. Around the age of one, your child should be able to drink from a cup. Encourage this as well as healthy eating so your child has minimal chances of developing tooth decay among their baby teeth!

How Important Are Checkups?

Dentists are trained to notice the signs of tooth decay long before you would ever see a problem. Pain is often the last sign that things are going wrong and the teeth are damaged. Taking your child in for a checkup when their baby teeth come in can ensure everything is healthy in your baby’s mouth and that tooth decay isn’t already happening. Baby teeth are important because they allow the permanent teeth to come through properly in the jaw—you can think of it as saving space for the adult teeth to come in.

Baby bottle tooth decay is preventable, and your child can have healthy baby teeth to encourage the growth of healthy adult teeth! Remember that sugar isn’t just damaging to your child’s body—it’s also not good for their oral health, especially if their mouths are exposed to sugar for lengthy amounts of time. If you haven’t already, schedule a visit with your dentist for your child if their baby teeth have started to come in. Developing healthy habits early can save your child’s teeth!

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Eating Habits Increase Risk

One of the greatest factors influencing tooth decay in children is diet. The fact is that young people love candy, desserts, and soft drinks. Between fast food, vending machines, and sugary beverages, it’s no wonder that young people are experiencing tooth decay.

How does a diet high in sugar result in tooth decay? The bacteria in the mouth thrive in acidic conditions. Sugars create acidic conditions in the mouth. As a result, bacteria can multiply faster leading to plaque, tartar buildup, and tooth decay.

Poor Oral Care Habits Also to Blame

The average youth also struggles to stay on a good oral care schedule. We may remind our children to brush their teeth in the morning and evening when they are little, but do we keep after their routine as they get a little older and should know better? It’s no wonder that tooth decay, already prevalent in younger children, increases dramatically around age 12.

How to Promote Good Oral Care in Your Household

How can you help your children not to become a part of the statistics listed above? Here are some suggestions.

Set the Example – Let your children see you brush your teeth. If there is room in the bathroom, make brushing a family routine, and have your child brush at the same time.

Teach Technique – Your children will need your help to learn how to brush properly. Teach them how to floss as well. We are always more likely to do something regularly when we know how to do it.

Education – When we know something is beneficial, we are more likely to go out of our way for it. Train children to understand the importance of caring for their teeth.

Dietary Instructions – Replacing colas with water can go a long way toward preventing tooth decay. Kids often grab the sweetest options available, so swap sugary snacks for fruit.

With a little training and encouragement, children can have strong and healthy teeth well into adulthood. Start training young, and don’t forget to schedule regular dental visits.

The post Did You Know: Children Are at High Risk for Tooth Decay appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.