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(989)
872-3870
6240
Hill Street
Cass City, MI 48726
E-mail us
for more
information
Copyright © 2003
James
D. Thomas, DDS, PC
All Rights Reserved |
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Children’s
Oral Health
During the erupting
of permanent (adult) teeth, gingivitis (inflammed and red gums,
caused by bacterial plaque) is frequently a problem. It
is important to monitor your child’s brushing habits and work with
them to build good oral hygiene habits :
- Brushing 2-3 times
per day is recommended.
- Flossing once a day
is sufficient.
- Be sure your child
is brushing in a circular motion and toward the gums in order
to remove bacterial plaque and prevent
gingivitis (Click here for proper brushing
and flossing techniques).
- Remember to watch
their snacking habits. Avoids foods and drinks with simple sugars,
especially pop (even diet pop), which can be very destructive
to the teeth.
Fluoride is an important
component of children's oral health. Children receive fluoride from
different sources, including drinking water. The recommended level
of fluoride in drinking water is 1 ppm. You can have your water tested
to determine the amount of fluoride it contains. Typical fluoride
levels in Cass City ground water are about 0.5 ppm. We may
recommend that
the child's
fluoride level
is supplemented. If
your child is
getting a lot of cavities or if you have questions about whether
fluoride supplements should be used, talk
to your
dentist.
Orthodontic
Treatment for Children
Although orthodontics
commonly begin in the preteen or teenage years, orthodontic treatment
can be initiated as early as 3 years of age. When
the teeth or jaws do not align properly it may be necessary to start
orthodontics. Orthodontics are necessary for the following reasons:
- Proper
speech
- Prevent decay due
to crowding or improper spacing (it is easier to clean when teeth
are aligned properly)
- Proper breathing
- Appearance
- Proper alignment
of teeth, which not only provides better chewing (which is what
the teeth are for), but also allows the jaw joints to function
naturally and harmoniuosly
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