Some young patients fear going to the dentist. They may have heard that the dental office is unpleasant or scary, thus leading to stress and anxiety. However, we do everything in our power to disprove that worry. We have designed our offices for patient comfort. This includes televisions in the exam areas and play areas where children and their siblings can enjoy themselves. Moreover, before we start any procedure, we talk with our patients about what will happen. We reassure them that they will experience absolutely no pain.
Tooth cleaning, polishing, and fluoride treatments are all part of your child's prevention program. Nevertheless, there is much more. Your pediatric dentist has unique training to develop a combination of office and home preventive care to ensure your child maintains a happy smile.
Using small amounts of fluoride routinely can help prevent tooth decay. As a result, fluoride becomes absorbed into structures such as bones and teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to fractures and decay.
Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where children develop most cavities. Made of clear or shaded plastic, dentists apply sealants to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free.
We typically recommend taking dental films around two to three years of age. Consequently, these dental films help us ensure your child's teeth and jaw remain healthy and properly aligned.
A space maintainer is a simple appliance placed to hold the space for a permanent tooth if the baby tooth exfoliates prematurely.
Dentists use nitrous oxide and outpatient General Anesthesia as safe, effective sedative agents to calm a child's fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. However, some need more frequent dental visits because of increased tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene.
Your child should visit a pediatric dentist 6 months after the first tooth comes in, usually around 1 year of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Therefore, early examination and preventative care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.
Most children need to see an orthodontist by the age of 7, but in some cases, your child may not start any orthodontic treatment until much later. For children who are at least 14 years old, there is an alternative to traditional metal braces that may be more appealing - both for you as a parent and for your teen. To learn more, please consult with your dentist.