Why early childhood dental visits are important

 The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating and other medical issues. Youngsters with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence. 

If your child is under 3 years old, they should only brush their teeth with close supervision. Apply only a thin layer of fluoride toothpaste to their toothbrush. The toothpaste should cover less than half of the bristles or be no bigger than a grain of rice.

Fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea is recommended for children ages 3 to 6 years old. You should watch children to ensure they spit toothpaste out while brushing.

 Braces are the key to a straighter smile for many children. For this reason, many parents have questions about orthodontic treatment. 

These braces are the most common type of orthodontic treatment and are usually the least expensive option. Metal braces are often made from stainless steel or titanium.

They apply pressure to the teeth with a series of metal brackets attached to an archwire. Metal braces use elastic bands called ligatures to secure each bracket to the archwire. These ligatures may be separate o-rings or come linked together as power chains.

Treatment time can vary from 6 months to over 2.5 years, depending on your child’s needs.

Clear aligners are thin plastic trays that fit over the teeth. They offer a less invasive alternative to metal and ceramic braces, though they vary in quality.

Invisalign is a popular clear aligner brand. They may be an alternative to braces if your child only needs minor corrections.

Treatment time is often between 1 year and 18 months. This makes clear aligners a potentially faster alternative to conventional braces. This is because clear aligners are only used to treat mild problems.