When you’re looking for a Manhattan orthodontist or orthodontic treatment, we at Goodman Orthodontics strive to go above and beyond in meeting your orthodontic needs. Dr. Goodman is a trusted source of orthodontics in New York, capable of providing a wide array of efficient orthodontic treatments, from braces to Invisalign Teen, from his Riverdale and New York City offices. Because it’s National Children’s Dental Health Month, Dr. Goodman and the entire staff here at Goodman Orthodontics would like to take a moment to reinforce the importance of childhood dental care and oral hygiene.
The Importance of Childhood Dental Care
We all understand the importance of taking care of our teeth. However, many people tend to disregard how critical it is to take care of baby teeth due to the fact that they fall out so quickly. Baby teeth are actually vital for a child’s development in the following ways:
- A child’s baby teeth will help with the functions of chewing, eating, and speaking.
- They will also serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth. They’ll help guide the permanent teeth into place and ensure that they don’t come in crooked.
- Starting out with healthy oral hygiene habits as a child will likely build toward a lifetime of maintaining those same healthy habits.
The Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay will generally affect a child because of one of two reasons. The first is that your child is eating too much sugar. Sugary foods are a main culprit for causing cavities so it’s important to adjust your child’s diet to limit these foods. Some of the foods you’ll need to watch out for include candy, soda, and fruit juices. The other main reason is a lack of adequate oral hygiene. If your child doesn’t maintain good oral hygiene habits, including brushing twice a day and flossing, his or her teeth will be more at risk for developing cavities.
Signs That Your Child May Have a Cavity
Your child may have a cavity if he or she has:
- A sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures.
- A dull white band on the tooth surface that’s closest to the gum line.
- A yellow, brown, or black band on the tooth surface that’s closest to the gum line.
- Teeth that look like brown or black stumps.
If you happen to notice any of these signs, please contact your dentist as soon as possible. While tooth decay isn’t a major problem to treat, when it’s ignored, it can develop into more problematic dental issues, including the loss of teeth.
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Contact Your Manhattan Orthodontist Today!
If you’re looking for New York, Riverdale, or Manhattan orthodontic treatments, you’ve come to the right place! Please feel free to fill out our online appointment request form or give us a call to schedule an appointment with us. You can reach us at (212) 688-4663 for our New York office or (718) 543-4300 for our Riverdale office. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions or comments. We can’t wait to hear from you!