CARING FOR TEETH
Dental Check-ups
Children should see the dentist on a routine basis for cleanings, exams, and dental x-rays, scheduled based on cavity risk and dental development. Exams are customized to each child's needs and parents are encouraged to sit in the exam and treatment rooms in our office.
Preventing Cavities
Effective tooth-brushing and flossing at home, maintaining a nutritious diet, and regular check-ups are vital components of preventative care. At your child's cleaning, we may recommend fluoride application to strengthen teeth. Sealants also protect teeth with deep pits and fissures.
Healthy Diet
Restoring Teeth
Several options are available for restoring baby and adult teeth. Fillings, stainless steel crowns, and pulp or root canal therapy are possible options, depending on the health of the teeth and how deep the cavities are.
Losing Teeth
Primary teeth and permanent teeth may be lost for a variety of reasons: naturally loss of baby teeth, deep cavities, orthodontic treatment recommendations, or trauma. Most children will lose their 20 primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 12, but they are crucial elements of your child's smile and holding space for permanent teeth!
Treatment Appointments
We have a variety of techniques to keep your child comfortable for treatment, including basic guidance, nitrous oxide sedation, and moderate (conscious) sedation. With your help, we hope to make treatment appointments as safe and comfortable as possible for your child!
Teething and development
Children usually start teething between 5 and 12 months of age. The first two teeth to erupt through the gums are typically the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors, then upper and lower lateral incisors. Most people have a total of 20 baby teeth. After a transitional stage between 6 and 12 years of age, most adults end up with 32 permanent teeth (wisdom teeth included). Follow the timeline from the first few baby teeth through the complete permanent set:
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Diplomates of the American
Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Dental Development
Monitoring the growth and development of the head, jaw bones, and teeth, is a critical part of your child's dental health. At each of your child's appointments, we measure their growth, lost teeth, gained teeth, and indicators of crowding, excess space, or differences between their upper and lower jaws. If necessary, we will recommend a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation at the appropriate time, based on your child's individual growth pattern.