A family dentist has a front row seat to the different challenges that families have with their teeth over the course of generations. It also means that we are in a perfect position to advise your family on how to avoid some potentially expensive and uncomfortable circumstances by helping to prevent dental emergencies. Preventative medicine is a hallmark of our Mission Viejo office and our ability to form bonds with all members of the family, from the youngest children up, allows us to insert a positive influence into things like habits while always maintaining a careful watch on your teeth, gums, and jawbone. By offering a holistic approach to healthcare, we can identify potential dental problems, well before they can occur, and take action to reduce or remove the threat immediately.
One thing we encourage is to reduce your exposure to dental problems by improving your habits. As a family dentist, we have the benefit of seeing all the problems bad habits cause the older members of the family, for example, acidic foods and sweets causing erosion. This shows us what patterns can be avoided by younger members of the family. For example, a recent study found that way too many parents allow their children partake in high sugar based snacks. We can help you to create a strategy that reduces your children’s exposure to cavities, decay, and some of the more serious problems that can occur when a person eats too much sugar. In fact, cavities are the most common problem we deal with in children, making reducing their risk extremely important.
The most common ailment among young people is cavities, and they cause children to miss more days from school than most other sicknesses. Cavities are formed by acid eating into the enamel of the tooth. When the enamel becomes soft enough, a small hole will form in the tooth which is known as a cavity. They are as a direct result of plaque build-up on teeth and plaque occurs naturally in food with sugar-based and acidic foods being able to do the most damage. The good news is that cavities are not hard to prevent. Proper oral hygiene habits, like brushing twice per day and having teeth cleaned, can help to reduce the risk.
Here are some of the additional habits you can develop and help your children to develop, in order to prevent cavities.
Make it a habit to rinse your mouth, and by default your teeth, after meals. This does wonders to reduce the amount of plaque buildup on the teeth. Floss between the teeth on a regular basis. This removes any plaque that may be building up between the teeth.
Visit the family dentist at least once every six months to remove the plaque that cannot be removed with just a toothbrush.
We also recommend eating a healthy diet that contains dairy products, green leafy vegetables, lean protein, nuts, and complex carbs for balanced nutrition, energy, and healthy teeth. For more tips and suggestions, visit our Mission Viejo family dentist office for a teeth cleaning and exam.