From an early age, we are taught to take good care of our teeth, gums, and mouth. Often this can feel like a chore, but when your diligence is rewarded with a beautiful, healthy smile, it’s easy to see why proper dental care is so important. Your child will learn from our pediatric dentist in Inwood that proper dental care and hygiene can easily prevent future problems, such as cavities, gum disease, or tooth decay. Here at the dental office of Elliott Gutman, DMD, we are dedicated to creating beautiful, long-lasting smiles, especially for the little ones.
In an environment that is lighthearted and fun, Dr. Gutman will establish oral health habits with your child that will last a lifetime. We believe in a preventative approach for one’s oral hygiene by creating and maintaining beautiful and healthy smiles for younger patients. Teeth, whether natural or with restorations, survive and thrive in an oral environment that is clean and hygienic. Our preventative program is designed to prevent new cavities, preserve restored teeth, and manage periodontal disease. This includes brushing teeth twice a day in a circular, angled motion with a soft bristled toothbrush, flossing every night, eating a balanced diet, and using antiseptic and fluoride rinses. Avoiding sticky, sugary foods can be difficult for our adolescent, sweet-toothed patients, but the combination of all these practices are the best defense against tooth decay. In fact, a study showed that tongue and tooth brushing along with flossing significantly decreased swelling of gum tissue and reduced bad breath in a two week period. We also offer dental sealants, which are plastic coatings that protect the chewing surface of a child’s back teeth from decay/cavities. Food and germs can get stuck in pits and grooves in the teeth. These sealants fill in the grooves, protecting the teeth from a child’s inevitable consumption of those sticky, sugary foods. Children can get them at their pediatric dentist in Inwood once their permanent molars come in, before decay attacks the teeth.
Sealants, daily brushing and flossing, drinking fluoridated water, and regular dental checkups are the easiest and best way to protect your mouth, teeth, and gums from oral diseases. The earlier you start going to the dentist and practicing good oral hygiene, the sooner and better you will be smiling. We believe the best time to implement good dental habits and hygiene into part of your daily routine is as a child, and we are exactly the pediatric dentist in Inwood where your child’s good oral hygiene should begin.
