We don’t just offer care for grown-ups. We want to help smiles of all ages, including kids, stay strong and beautiful. With children’s dentistry, we can take on issues like tooth decay and even offer unique preventive treatments. In today’s blog, your Lake Orion, MI, dentist talks about how we approach children’s dentistry.
When Kids Need to See Us
When should children see the dentist? We recommend an initial wellness visit at around age one, once the first baby tooth has erupted. This visit usually just involves a simple knee-to-knee lap exam. Starting at around age two, kids should see our team for a checkup and cleaning every six months. But you should also consider an appointment if your child injures a tooth or complains about a toothache, as treatment could prevent worsening decay or infection and keep smiles intact!
Dental Checkups and Cleanings
During your child’s routine dental exam, our team will take a close look at the smile with digital x-rays and intraoral cameras. Doing so will allow our team to carefully examine the smile and make a diagnosis with precision and accuracy. We look for common issues like tooth decay, infection, and gingivitis. We also watch for signs of teeth grinding, and make sure baby teeth fall out on time and that permanent ones can erupt without complication, preventing issues like misalignment. We also take time to talk to kids about their oral hygiene routines, and how they can help protect their smiles from home.
In the same visit, we will also conduct a dental cleaning, on which we use an ultrasonic scaling device to gently remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth, along with a manual pick. Doing so helps brighten the smile and lower the risk of bad breath, teeth stains, cavities, and gingivitis. These visits also help kids become accustomed to the dentist, so they don’t develop dental anxiety and are more likely to seek care on their own as adults.
The Need for Fillings
What if we discover a cavity in your child’s tooth? Many parents assume since baby teeth fall out anyway, the cavity can just be ignored. But often, the tooth may not fall out on its own for months or even years to come. The cavity then has a chance to grow in severity and could increase the risk of infection, premature tooth loss, and dental misalignment. But our team can treat the tooth in only one visit with a dental filling, a biocompatible and metal-free restoration that is safe for kids of all ages. The holistic restoration can stop decay and keep the tooth beautiful and intact!
Dental Sealants
Our team also offers treatments to help kids avoid the onset of tooth decay. We know that many children have trouble reaching the rear teeth when they brush and floss, so food and drink particles can remain there and increase the risk of cavities. With dental sealants, we apply a special acrylic coating to these teeth so no food and drink particles can be lodged between them. The application only takes a few seconds, and they can stay in place for up to ten years in some cases! Kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour after placement to allow them to fully cure. We can re-apply as needed too!
Improving Your Child’s Homecare Routine
Our team will also talk about how to care for little smiles from home. Kids need to start each day by brushing their teeth with an age-appropriate and soft-bristled toothbrush. They should do so for two minutes, and you can time them with a fun song or video, or a sand timer. Kids also need to do this again in the evening, and also floss to remove what is beyond the reach of a toothbrush. Try to limit the amount of sugar and starch in their diets too!
If you have any questions about our approach to children’s dentistry, or if you want to schedule a visit for your little one, then contact our team today to get started. We look forward to helping your kids enjoy better oral health and smiles that shine, and this journey starts with a simple checkup and cleaning visit.
Schedule a Visit With Lake Orion Family Dentistry
Children’s dentistry can help smiles of all ages stay healthy and strong. To find out more about how we help little smiles or to schedule your child’s visit with our team, call Lake Orion Family Dentistry in Lake Orion, MI at (248)693-6213.
