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TOOTHBRUSHING: Encourage your child to
brush after each meal. The last brushing of the day should either be
done by you, or supervised by you depending on your child's age. The use
of a soft bristle brush or an electric toothbrush are excellent for
removing plaque. Fluoridated tooth pastes are recommended for patients
who know how to rinse and spit (at age 3). Patients who do not yet
rinse should use a non-fluoridated tooth paste.
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FLOSSING: Encourage the use of dental
floss once daily. Work with your school age child until dexterity is
developed to handle it alone. Commercially available floss aids may help
make the task simpler.
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DIET: It is essential that children
develop proper dietary habits early. Emphasis should be placed on
nutritionally balanced meals, reduction of refined carbohydrate intake,
and reduction in the frequency of eating. Studies have shown, for
instance, that if your child must have 12 chocolate chip cookies, it is
better to eat them all at once for dessert and brush the teeth, rather
than one at one o'clock, one at two o'clock, etc. Gummy fruit snacks and
other sticky fruit candies often stick in the crevices of teeth and
increase cavity rates. These snacks should be used infrequently.
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NURSING CARIES: Prolonged nursing and
putting a child to sleep with the bottle can cause severe destruction of
the child's teeth. Try to discourage this practice. If you cannot
eliminate the bottle at bedtime, then change the contents to plain
water. Children older than one and a half years old that are still on
the bottle or nursing have an increased rate of cavities. The use of
sippy cups on a constant basis with juice and high sucrose drinks also
increases the chance of cavities in children.
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FLUORIDE TABLETS/DROPS (systemic): The
most effective method of reducing decay. We strongly recommend their
continued daily use from the age of 6 months to approximately 14 years
of age.
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FLUORIDE RINSE: A good preventive
measure for children age six through adolescence. Use daily after the
evening brushing and flossing routine. Do not swallow.
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SEALANTS: An effective method to
prevent cavities on the chewing surface of the molar teeth. We will
advise you if we feel your child can benefit from this advancement in
dentistry.
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X-RAYS: X-ray examination is
important to detect problems not seen clinically such as cavities
between teeth. However, we do not routinely take x-rays at each
examination visit. Naturally, we will always advise you of the need
prior to taking them.
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PREVENTIVE RECALL VISITS: We maintain a
well organized preventive recall system. You will be notified at six
month intervals. At this time your child will be thoroughly examined for
any signs of dental disease or oral problems. The occlusion ("bite")
will be evaluated. Oral hygiene will be reviewed. A professional
cleaning and topical fluoride treatment will be applied. Regular
preventive recall visits promote superior dental health.
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OBSERVATION VISITS: These are short
"look-see" appointments to check on a specific problem which we feel
should be followed prior to the next regularly scheduled examination.
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Remember, PREVENTION REALLY WORKS!
Let's work at it together!
