Pediatric Dental Services at Lifestyle Dental
Pediatric dentists, also known as pedodontists, receive additional training to learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children. They are also adept at working with the various syndromes, medical concerns, and situations that may occur with younger dental patients. This knowledge and training makes pediatric dentists uniquely qualified to work with younger dental patients.
Visit Our Dedicated Children’s Wing!
We know that many children have anxiety about going to the dentist and we wanted to make their experience with us a positive one. That’s why we have an entire wing of our office dedicated to children. Every child, from toddlers to teens, will look forward to their dental appointments knowing that they can watch television, play video games, read books and enjoy other activities while waiting to see us. Our fun-themed environment makes going to the dentist less scary for everyone!
Pediatric Dental Services
We are pleased to offer a wide variety of pediatric dental services for your family. These include:
- Checkups & Exams
- Fillings & Bonding
- Fluoride Treatments
- Sealants
- Extractions
- Mouthguards and Sports Dentistry
- Restorative Dentistry
- Nitrous Oxide & IV Sedation
- Emergency Pediatric Dental Care
Our pediatric team is specifically trained to help young children feel comfortable and at ease during their treatment. Our goal is to make every visit fun and to teach children long-term, healthy dental habits. We hope to see those brilliant smiles for many years to come!
When Should Your Child See a Dentist?
It’s important that your child sees a pediatric dentist by his/her 1st birthday or when the first tooth appears. This allows us to examine your child’s mouth and discuss proper oral hygiene with you. It also gets your child accustomed to visiting the dental office.
Although baby teeth are temporary, they should not be treated as such. Damage to baby teeth can have lasting effects on permanent teeth and gums. Even missing baby teeth can cause issues with alignment and oral health. Proper care of your child’s baby teeth is just as important as maintaining his/her adult teeth.
How to Protect Your Child’s Teeth
Many babies start teething between the ages of four and six months, but some start as old as 12 months. Whenever your child starts to teethe, it’s a good idea to wipe his/her gums with a soft cloth after every meal. This not only helps soothe your child, but also wipes away excess food particles that may irritate the gums and underlying teeth. Once the tooth is exposed, you should switch to a soft toothbrush and gently brush with water. With the addition of more teeth, flossing should be added to the mix.
As your child grows, routine dental checkups, good nutrition, and daily oral hygiene will help keep his/her smile cavity-free and healthy.
Pediatric Dental Care
Every child progresses at a different rate. There are, however, some general guidelines when it comes to pediatric dental care. The following is a good reference, but you should always check with your dentist to determine which dental treatment is right for your child and when to start.
0 to 6 Months
- Wipe Gums with Soft Cloth After Meals
6 to 12 Months
- Schedule 1st Dental Exam
- Brush Exposed Teeth w/ Soft Brush & Water
- Floss Any Teeth that Touch
12 to 24 Months
- Schedule Bi-Annual Dental Exams
- Brush with Rice-Sized Amount of Toothpaste w/ Fluoride
- Daily Flossing
- Reduce Thumb Sucking & Pacifier Use
2 to 11 Years
- Continue Regular Dental Checkups (2x a year)
- Start Fluoride Treatments
- Brushing & Flossing Daily & After Meals
- Prevent Sucking Habits (Thumb & Pacifier)
Teens
- Bi-Annual Dental Checkups
- Daily Flossing & Brushing
- Avoid Tobacco Use
- Discourage Oral Piercings
- Monitor Wisdom Teeth
Regardless of your child’s age, it’s important to keep sugar intake to a minimum. This not only includes candy and other sweets, but also soda and sports drinks. These products are harmful to your child’s enamel and can put them at an increased risk for tooth decay.
With a combination of routine dental checkups and good oral habits, we can help ensure your child’s teeth and gums will last a lifetime. To learn more about our pediatric dental services, contract our office or schedule an appointment today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Service
Why should I choose a pediatric dentist for my child?
Pediatric dentists receive an additional two years of specialized training to specifically prepare them for the unique dental needs of infants, toddlers and teens. They are also trained to work with children who may have other special health care needs.
When should my child start seeing a dentist?
We recommend children see the dentist around their first birthday, or as soon as they start developing teeth (6 to 9 months of age), for a visual exam. This will get them familiar with the dental office and start them on the right path for good dental hygiene.
Is baby bottle tooth decay a myth?
No. If you allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle in his/her mouth, or nurse for prolonged periods, you could put him/her at risk for early childhood caries, also known as baby bottle tooth decay. Avoid placing anything other than water in your child’s bottle at bedtime and plan to wean him/her from the bottle by his/her first birthday.
How can I reduce my child’s risk of getting cavities?
Bacteria uses sugar as an energy source to produce acids that break down the mineral in our teeth, thus causing cavities. To help reduce your child’s risk of cavities, limit the consumption of foods that contain sugars and starches, such as candy, cookies and crackers, as well as sugary drinks like soda, sweet tea, sports and energy drinks.
When should my child start using toothpaste?
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, you may begin using pea-sized amounts of fluoridated toothpaste to brush his/her tooth/teeth. It’s also recommended that you schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist who will advise you on the proper care of your child’s teeth.
What are sealants and do my kids need them?
Dental sealants help protect young teeth from cavities. It’s simply a thin coating applied to the biting surfaces to help prevent bacteria and other harmful debris from getting into the deep crevices of your children’s teeth. Since children are notoriously poor at brushing their teeth, sealants provide an extra layer of protection from tooth decay.
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