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Pediatric Preventative Dental Care

Dental Cleanings and Screening

Professional cleanings performed by a hygienist or dental assistant are important to your child or children’s dental health. Daily brushing and flossing is important to maintain healthy teeth.

Utilizing specialized tools and kid-friendly language, we will:

  • Remove plaque build-up from the surfaces of teeth. Bacteria in the mouth form plaque, which collects on teeth and causes decay, gum disease and gingivitis
  • Remove tartar from teeth surfaces. Tartar, or calculus, is plaque that has become so hardened on the teeth that its removal requires special procedures. Tartar below the gum line is also an indicator of gum disease, and generally appears on older children and adults
  • Help with brushing and flossing techniques, and encouraging healthy eating habits at home to promote good oral development
  • Remove surface stains from teeth through polishing

Examinations

Regular examinations help detect and prevent health issues before they become serious. Dental check-ups twice a year will help us catch problems when they are small and easier to treat. Left unattended, small treatable problems become worse and may require more extensive, expensive procedures to repair.

Dental examinations in our office generally include the following:

  • Digital x-rays to assess proper tooth development and healthy eruption of primary and permanent teeth
  • Thorough examination of the teeth, looking for areas of decay, teeth that will be may becoming out soon, future orthodontic needs, and any treatment diagnosis
  • Head, neck, and mouth visual examination(s)

Fluoride Varnish & Sealants

Fluoride is a natural mineral that has been proven to strengthen teeth and prevent the incidence of tooth decay. The American Dental Association recommends fluoride treatment for children as soon as new teeth emerge. This preventive measure of applying a fluoride varnish to a child’s first teeth can strengthen teeth at risk for decay and create a tooth surface that is more resistant to decay.

Applying a fluoride varnish protects a child’s primary (first) teeth from decay. Fluoride is applied twice a year. Fluoride varnish works by repairing gaps in the tooth enamel, protecting teeth from plaque forming bacteria that likes to colonize in small pits and gaps.

Fluoride is easily applied to teeth. It dries almost immediately upon contact with clean dry teeth and will not be removed by saliva. The procedure is quick, painless, and often included in dental insurance coverage. You can check with your insurance provider to be sure.

Once children have their permanent teeth, dental sealants may be applied for the protection of the back teeth or molars. Sealants are a thin plastic coating painted on the chewing surfaces of teeth (usually the back teeth) to prevent tooth decay. Most children get their first molars between the ages of five and seven and their second (permanent) molars around the ages of 11 – 14 which is the time to apply sealants. 

Using both fluoride varnishes on your child’s primary teeth and sealants on the chewing surfaces of your child’s permanent teeth are effective solutions to help prevent or slow down tooth decay.

If you have ANY other questions or concerns – please contact our office.