Flossing is an important step in preventing dental cavities in children

Early dental care in our Brentwood dental practice is focused on the prevention of common problems such as cavities. Most of us think of brushing as the primary hygienic step to accomplish this goal. In fact, there is much more to cavity prevention that teaching your child to brush his or her teeth.

Dr. Alkhoury works with parents of our young patients to demonstrate the most efficient brushing techniques. We are also happy to help parents learn the various ways they can encourage their children to practice effective oral hygiene habits. Beyond brushing, however, we also discuss other factors that play a role in the development of cavities, such as nutrition and flossing.

Flossing, though vitally important to oral health, is a habit that many adults struggle to maintain, let alone teach their children. There are many people, in fact, who continue to question the necessity of flossing when brushing seems to get the job done. Brushing without flossing is like washing only one part of your body when you bathe.

Tooth brushing is done not only because we want to remove any particles of food that may have been stuck in our teeth, but because we must remove harmful oral bacteria if we wish to avoid cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Our mouths naturally host millions of microorganisms, living creatures that eat and excrete. In the mouth, however, the waste left behind by oral bacteria is extremely damaging due to its high acidity. This acid sits on teeth and gums, weakening these protective tissues that help keep our smile attractive and pain-free. Brushing removes food particles and sugar residue that feed bacteria, as well as some of the bacteria present in the mouth. This activity alone, however, cannot reach bacteria that live between teeth.

Plaque and tartar are not reserved as an adult dental problem. Children may also develop plaque when teeth are not adequately cleaned, and plaque harbors aggressive bacteria. The areas where plaque and tartar tend to build up are at the gum line and between teeth, right where the toothbrush tends to miss. Hence, flossing is important.

When it comes to preventing dental problems like cavities and gum disease, your dentist has solutions that work. Contact Brentwood Family Dental to schedule check-ups for your family.

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