We don’t just offer care for grownups; we use children’s dentistry to help kids from babies and toddlers to kids and teens enjoy better oral health. Starting care in childhood can help give them the information and understanding to keep smiles strong and beautiful. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about our approach to children’s dentistry, so your little one can smile with confidence.
When Kids Need to See the Dentist
We suggest the first checkup visit at around age one, once the first baby tooth erupts. This is typically a simple knee-to-knee lap exam, with no treatment. We want to make sure teeth are erupting properly. At around age two, we recommend a visit every six months for a checkup and cleaning, so we can monitor the smile as it grows and catch problems in the early stages, often before your little one experiences discomfort or risks premature tooth loss. These visits can help lower the risk of dental anxiety, and let them become better informed about their oral health and the importance of good dental hygiene habits.
Checkups and Cleanings
During the dental exam, our team will conduct a checkup to look for signs of issues like tooth decay, gingivitis, or issues with primary teeth erupting and falling out, or complications with the arrival of permanent ones. We also clean the teeth in the same visit. With a dental cleaning, we will remove all plaque and tartar to help lower the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and periodontal issues. The process only takes a few minutes, but can help your little ones enjoy better oral health.
Fluoride Treatment
We know that kids have a high risk for tooth decay, and this is especially true in the months to come after the holiday season, when children have been consuming sugary and starch-rich foods and drinks. We can help lower the risk of cavities by strengthening the outer enamel. During the checkup visits, we can apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form, which will strengthen the enamel, even the portions weakened by plaque buildup and poor oral hygiene. The process takes just a few seconds. We recommend kids steer clear of food and drink for about 30 minutes afterward so the material can cure properly. This helps prevent the onset of cavities. We can apply this every six months. At home, your little ones should also use a fluoride toothpaste for this reason. Those three and younger need a rice sized amount, while those over the age of three can use a pea sized blot. Be sure they drink plenty of water too, as this hydrates and the fluoride content also protects teeth.
Dental Sealants
Our team can also help safeguard smiles against cavities with dental sealants. Sealants are a special acrylic layer that we add to the rear teeth. For most, these teeth are hard to reach when they brush and floss, so particles from their foods and drinks stay trapped between them, increasing the risk of tooth decay. But with dental sealants, we apply a special layer that coats them so no food and drink particles can be stuck on or between these teeth. The application takes seconds and your little ones need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour afterward. The sealants can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases, wearing away gradually with time. If needed, we can always re-apply them.
Improving Homecare
Our team also wants to talk to your kids about caring for their smiles from home, which helps control harmful plaque and tartar buildup before they can see us for their next checkup and cleaning visit. We want to make sure your kids brush for two minutes when they wake up and then do so again before going to bed. Each session should take about two minutes, and involves the use of a fluoride toothpaste. We also recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush! They also need to floss before bed, and if possible, eat a healthier diet low in sugar and starch.
If you have any questions about how our team will protect little smiles with routine care, or if you want to schedule a visit before the year ends and your 2024 dental insurance benefits expire, then reach out to our team today.
Talk to Your Lake Orion, MI Dentist’s Office About Children’s Dentistry
We want to help children of all ages maintain good oral health and obtain a better understanding of their smile. To schedule an appointment for our children’s treatments, then call Lake Orion Family Dentistry at (248)693-6213!
