Prevention is the cornerstone in pediatric dentistry. It starts with your child’s first tooth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that regular dental care begin around one year of age.
Your child’s first visit to our office will include a comprehensive medical history review along with a thorough dental exam.
The exam will consist of an evaluation of the teeth and gums, a head and neck exam, and a preliminary orthodontic evaluation. We will determine if any x-rays are needed and discuss if a cleaning and fluoride treatment will be done at that time. We will then review our findings with you in detail and design a treatment plan to fit your child’s needs. Most importantly, a program of preventive home care will be discussed and reviewed to help build a lifetime of healthy habits and a cavity-free smile.
We strive to be a source of guidance for you and your child’s preventive pediatric dental care including:
- Regular 6-month exams
- Tooth cleaning and polishing
- Low radiation digital radiographs
- Fluoride treatments
- Brushing and flossing instruction
- Dietary counseling
- Nursing/ Baby bottle instruction
- Thumb sucking / pacifier counseling
- Sealant application
- Sports safety instruction
Sealants
Sealants are an excellent treatment in the prevention of cavities. According to the Center for Disease Control, “school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants.” Sealants are a safe plastic filling material which “seals” or fills in the grooves and crevices on the chewing surface of the teeth. This prevents plaque and food from getting caught in the teeth, causing cavities.
Sealant application is fast and comfortable. No drilling is required. The dentist will clean and dry the tooth, flow the sealant material on the tooth, and dry it with a special light.
With proper brushing and care, sealants last up to five years where they may be applied again.
Sports Guards
According to the American Dental Association, a sports guard or mouth protector should be used by anyone participating in any sport which carries a significant risk of facial injury. Sports guards minimize the risk of broken or knocked out teeth, and injuries to the soft tissues of the mouth and face by covering the upper teeth and cushioning blows to the face and jaw.
Pre-made sports guards or boil and bite guards are available in stores and are inexpensive; however, they often do not fit well, feel uncomfortable, and might not adequately protect during a facial trauma. Sports guards custom made in our office or dental lab will fit the child’s teeth precisely and comfortably to provide the most reliable protection as well as allow for normal speech.
