Dr. Bridges volunteered at Give Kids a Smile Day, a non-profit event in which dentists provide free dental care to underserved children. Attending this event shed light on what the software developer wanted to do with the rest of his life: care for kids and families. Dr. Bridges applied to dental school and earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Oklahoma. 

In dental school, Dr. Bridges thrived. He earned the Pierre Faughard Academy Junior Scholarship, and for the American Student Dental Association, he was Speaker of the House. 

He then joined Dr. Schreiner’s practice, and Dr. Schreiner has since retired. Dr. Bridges bought the practice and changed the name to Chisholm Trail Smile Center.

To continue giving back to the community, Dr. Bridges volunteers with the American Dental Association Foundation, as well as the Oklahoma Mission of Mercy. He was President of the Southwest Dental Society from 2018 to 2021 and currently holds the role of Trustee in the Southwest region of the Oklahoma Dental Association. In 2021, Dr. Bridges was nominated for a fellowship in the American College of Dentists. 

In short, Dr. Matthew Bridges loves being a Duncan, OK, dentist, and he still thoroughly enjoys caring for children at Chisholm Trail Smile Center.

Special Dental Care for Children

By Age One

The ADA and other reputable dental organizations suggest that a baby visit the dentist by his first birthday. At this “happy visit,” the child will become accustomed to the friendly faces and helping hands of the Chisholm Trail Smile Center team. Dr. Bridges will conduct a brief exam, just to ensure your baby’s mouth and teeth are properly developing. 

Babies and Toddlers

After the very first tooth erupts in your baby’s mouth, you should begin using a small dot of non-fluoridated toothpaste and a soft baby’s toothbrush to clean the tooth/teeth in the morning and before bed. Around age three, toddlers understand how to spit toothpaste out after brushing, so they can advance to fluoridated toothpaste. Replace your child’s toothbrush every six months, and begin flossing once teeth touch one another. A child’s pre-threaded dental flosser makes the job easier.

Preschoolers

When kids reach preschool age, around four or five, they can understand how to sit in the dental chair during dental cleanings and exams. So, at this age children should begin twice-a-year preventive checkups with Dr. Bridges.

School-Aged Kids

When children start school, they still need Mom or Dad to inspect their brushing and flossing efforts. Children are prone to develop cavities and/or gingivitis if they don’t maintain effective daily oral care habits at home. (Kids who use an inhaler for asthma are at higher risk for gingivitis.) Even teenagers need daily dental care reminders, as well as regular dental checkups and cleanings.

To deter cavities, encourage your children and teens to drink water instead of soda, sports drinks, or flavored drinks like Kool-Aid. These beverages are high in sugar. The carbonation in sodas, as well as the acidity and sugar, can cause cavities. If your child is going to enjoy one of these beverages, encourage the use of a straw to limit contact between teeth and the harmful elements of the beverage.

Also, limit sweets and carbs. Sugars are carbohydrates, as are starches. Bad bacteria in the mouth consume the carbs and emit an acidic byproduct that causes tooth decay. An occasional sweet treat is fine, but be sure that your child rinses his mouth with water afterward, so carbs don’t sit on teeth. 

Sealants & Fluoride Protect Young Teeth

As your family’s Duncan, OK, dentist, Dr. Bridges wants to protect your children’s teeth and gums from harm. He often recommends that children get dental sealants once molars develop in the back of the mouth. The sealant is a clear, protective coating that we paint onto the chewing surfaces of molars. It fills in small grooves and crevices to create a barrier against bad bacteria, acid, sugar, and other starches. Over time, sealants naturally and safely wear off.

Fluoride treatment in our office also protects tooth enamel against decay. Children benefit from a small amount of swallowed fluoride, which comes from the public water supply. Be sure that your kids drink tap water because bottled water doesn’t contain fluoride. Kids also benefit from topical fluoride. We offer a topical fluoride treatment that takes only a few minutes. 

Fluoride is a cool mineral. It attracts calcium and phosphorus, minerals that strengthen tooth enamel. So, by coating teeth in fluoride, we prompt these minerals to naturally infiltrate enamel and strengthen it against decay.

Your Family Dentist in Duncan, OK

If you’re looking for a dentist to care for your loved ones, remember that Dr. Bridges entered dentistry as a result of a volunteer event that benefitted children. He loves kids! And your kids are sure to love him. Our entire team comes to work each day excited to serve the families of our community. Schedule appointments for everyone in your family. Call Chisholm Trail Smile Center at 580-255-4880 today.

The post A Favorite Children’s Dentist in Duncan, OK appeared first on Chisholm Trail.

Continue reading to learn more about what fluoride is and how it can help you little one avoid cavities now and later in life. 

What is fluoride?

Fluoride occurs naturally in nature. When used in dental treatments and products, it remineralizes and strengthens teeth before and after development. When babies consume certain foods that contain fluoride (like spinach and potatoes), the body absorbs the fluoride and uses it to strengthen the teeth, even before they erupt. Fluoride can also be applied topically, like with toothpaste. It is an essential element for tooth development that also protects against harmful bacteria and plaque.

Dental enamel can be worn down when exposed to acidic drinks, foods, and bacteria. Fluoride treatments and drinking fluoridated water can strengthen the enamel to protect against these substances. .

Fluoride can help protect your child’s beautiful teeth and gums—especially if they start young. Children who began receiving fluoride treatments are 43 percent less likely to develop tooth decay and cavities.

By reducing the risk of cavities and slowing the growth of harmful bacteria, fluoride can also prevent gum disease, tooth pain, and the premature loss of adult teeth.

Our family dentist might recommend fluoride treatments for your son or daughter during their routine dental cleanings and exams.

Benefits of Fluoride Treatments

There are many benefits of fluoride applications, including:

●     Strengthens Enamel—Especially against bacteria and acids that can cause your enamel to break down

●     Restores Minerals to Your Teeth—Acids can destroy essential minerals like phosphorus and calcium that are vital to the health and structure of your teeth. Fluoride reverses this loss by adding minerals back

●     Prevents Cavities and Tooth Decay—Fighting bacteria that causes cavities is a daily process. Fluoride can help provide the tools to fight tooth decay

●     Natural Preventative—Fluoride can naturally and effectively prevent possible damage to your child’s teeth

Talk to an experienced family dentist to determine if a fluoride application is beneficial for your child.

Fluoride Helps Maintain Good Oral Health

Preparing your child for optimal oral health includes:

• Routine dental care with your child’s dentist
• Daily brushing and flossing
• Regular hydration
• Proper diet and nutrition
• Fluoride treatments

Paired with good dental hygiene habits and regular dental visits, fluoride strengthens your little one’s developing adult teeth, blocks cavities from forming, prolongs the life of baby teeth,  and even reverses early cavities through the process of remineralization.

Are you looking for a gentle pediatric dentist?

Are you interested in a compassionate family dentist in Duncan, OK?

As a comprehensive family practice, we welcome children of any age. We know the importance of a warm and considerate dental practice that values your children’s needs.

Dr. Bridges and our friendly, gentle dental team works hard to make every dental visit as pleasant and stress-free as possible. We know that positive dental care that starts early can shape one’s dental future. We also respect that every child has their own unique dental needs and reactions.

Give our attentive and welcoming dental team a call at (580) 255-4880 to make an appointment for your child’s dental visit to start them on a life-long path towards excellent dental health.

The post Children’s Dentist Explains The Importance of Fluoride for Oral Health appeared first on Chisholm Trail.