Apart from attending to your childs dental needs, a good Lakeville kids' dentist should also be able to educate you and your child on how to care for childrens teeth. Your childrens oral health depends on the regular hygiene he gets accustomed to. In the same vein, what they choose to eat or drink also has bearing on how their teeth turn out.
With these considerations, any Lakeville pediatric practice worth its salt should be able to give you the full low-down on all of the following topics: 1.) The proper care of an infants teeth. Since babies are incapable of caring for their teeth on their own, this responsibility falls to the parent. Baby teeth are quite fragile and malleable, so there are certain steps that parents must take to preserve them. Some pediatric dentists may even discourage the use of pacifiers for infants since these have been known to interfere with the development of proper alignment when used too often.
2.) The kind of tools or materials appropriate for cleaning the teeth of young patients. Baby teeth require a special kind of toothbrush, one with soft and short bristles, along with a different kind of toothpaste (i.e., one that is mild enough for infant use). Children and teenagers also require different kinds of toothbrushes and toothpastes depending on the development of their teeth.
A good pediatric dentist will be able to point you in the right direction with regards to this. Some of the bigger pediatric clinics may even be licensed retailers of various toothbrushes or toothpastes and can thus spare you the trouble of having to shop separately for your childs dental care accessories.
3.) The correct way to brush and floss teeth. Many people who grew up without the benefit of visiting a pediatric dentist tend to have incorrect methods for cleaning their teeth. These bad habits and dental care practices do more harm than good. Some adults end up wearing down the enamel of their teeth by brushing too vigorously. There are also a lot of people who fail to floss regularly. A good pediatric dentist will be able to teach your child the proper way to brush and floss, along with how frequently they should engage in such practices.
4.) How to handle damaged or chipped teeth properly. Only a pediatric dentist can treat teeth that has been damaged or chipped. There are also care tips that the dentist can give to the parents so that they can help their children while their teeth are healing. In some cases, there are activities that might not be allowable until the dental treatment has been completed. Certain types of alternative dental care tools might also be recommended.
5.) How your diet affects the state of your teeth. What you eat or drink can stain or rot your teeth. It would be a good idea to get advice from a Lakeville pediatric dental care practitioner regarding the kind of food you need to stay away from (e.g., hard, sugary candies) and which ones to consume for a healthier set of teeth (e.g., milk, green, leafy vegetables).