6 Major Innovations That Changed Children’s Dentistry Forever

Since it is National Children’s Dental Health Month, we wanted to explore some of the changes that pediatric dentistry has experienced over the years. They range from advances that directly impact oral health all the way to being more sensitive to a patient’s experience in the dental office.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that are applied to the grooves on the chewing surfaces of teeth in order to better protect them from tooth decay.  A sealant can last as long as 5 or 10 years, providing great dental protection and benefits well into a child’s future.

Since most tooth decay in children occurs on the surfaces of teeth, these have helped reduce the amount of cavities caused by the result of tooth decay on the surface of a child’s tooth.  Research on sealants began in the 1960s, and was being used in dental offices by the early 1970s.

Lasers!

This might sound counterintuitive, but dental lasers were designed in order to promote minimally invasive dental visits.  Just think about how much of a positive psychological impact is created when you sit down for your appointment and do not see traditional dental instruments like needles and high speed, noisy devices.

Lasers are being used more and more in medicine generally and dentistry specifically.  For example, new dental laser treatments can be utilized to diagnose cavities in grooves of teeth and stains, which traditional methods were unable to detect.

TV Monitors

Kids, ask your parents.  Some of us still remember when there were no flat screens playing our favorite shows while we visited the dentist’s office.  Now, however, children and adults can relax and enjoy DVD’s and TV shows during routine cleanings.  Of course, while a television isn’t a dental invention, implementing this technology to improve patient experience certainly is.

New Toothpaste Flavors & Themes

In terms of pediatric dentistry, children’s toothbrushing has gone from a chore to an exciting activity.  Crest, for example, has Sesame Street Toothpaste, Disney Princess toothpaste, and Marvel Avengers themed toothpaste, to name just a few.  In addition to being thematic, these children’s toothpastes are flavored as well, so your children aren’t confined to only brushing with the familiar mint.

Toothbrushes for Children

Do children really need their own toothbrush?  Philips answered that question by creating a Sonicare toothbrush designed especially for kids.  Sonicare for Kids helps parents teach their children how to brush their teeth, and even encourages brushing together as a family activity.

Education & Preventative Care

We are big fans of preventative dental care at Rusnak Family Dentistry.

There has been a concerted effort among modern dentists to educate parents and children in order to improve oral health.  By helping adults and their children take care of their gums and teeth when they are away from the dental office, we hope to help all our patients have a more pleasant experience when they return.