We Keep Your Child's Smile Healthy: A to Z This section covers various dental treatments we offer to keep your child's smile bright and healthy.
Regular Exams and Cleanings
Regular checkups are key to healthy teeth! During these exams, we'll:- Check for unseen problems
- Look for cavities and decay
- Inspect gums for gingivitis or gum disease
- Give your child a thorough cleaning
These cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, taking about 45 minutes. It's also a chance to ask any questions you have about your child's oral health. Regular checkups require appointments, so call us to schedule your child's next one!
Bonding
Got a chipped, discolored, or slightly crooked tooth? Bonding can fix that! A white filling is placed on the tooth to improve its appearance. It blends well with natural teeth and can even be used for fillings instead of silver ones. Bonding is affordable and usually done in one visit. However, it can stain and break more easily than other options. If it does break, it's usually an easy fix.
Crowns
Crowns are tooth-shaped caps used to improve a tooth's strength or shape. They're most common for broken, worn, or decayed teeth. A crown covers the part of the tooth above the gum line, like a new outer surface. Crowns can be made of porcelain, metal, or both. Porcelain is popular because it looks natural and is very strong. Crowns are needed when there's not enough tooth left for a filling. Unlike fillings, crowns are made in a lab based on your child's unique tooth impression, ensuring a perfect fit.
Extractions
Sometimes, a tooth needs to be removed. This could be due to:
- A baby tooth with misshapen roots blocking permanent teeth
- Severe decay putting other teeth at risk
- Infection
- Orthodontic correction needs
- Wisdom tooth problems
The dentist removes the tooth by separating it from the ligament holding it in place. While quick, you can discuss sedation options with the dentist if you have any concerns.
Fillings
Traditional fillings can be made of gold, porcelain, or composite materials. Newer fillings mimic natural teeth, especially important for front teeth. Fillings come in two types: direct (placed in one visit) and indirect (requiring multiple visits, like inlays and veneers).
Fluoride
Fluoride helps prevent cavities and plaque buildup. A fluoride treatment at our office is quick and takes just a few minutes. Afterward, your child might need to avoid rinsing, eating, or drinking for 30 minutes to allow the teeth to absorb the fluoride. Depending on your child's oral health, these treatments might be needed every 3, 6, or 12 months.
Mouthguards
Mouthguards are essential for protecting your child's smile during sports, whether they wear braces or not. The American Dental Association recommends mouthguards for anyone participating in full-contact sports. There are three main types: pre-made, boil-and-bite, and custom-made by the dentist. Choose one that's tear-resistant, comfortable, well-fitting, easy to clean, and doesn't hinder breathing. We can help your child pick the right one!
Nightguards
Does your child wake up with jaw pain, headaches, or earaches? Or do you see them clenching or grinding their teeth? This might be bruxism, a common condition. Nightguards are a simple solution to prevent the damage caused by teeth grinding. These custom-made soft material guards fit over your child's top or bottom teeth and prevent them from touching the opposing teeth.
Root Canals
In the past, a diseased permanent tooth meant tooth loss. Today, root canal treatment can save the tooth! When a tooth is cracked or has a deep cavity, bacteria can enter the pulp tissue and cause an infection. If left untreated, this can lead to pain, swelling, and even jawbone damage.
Root canal treatment involves removing the infected tissue, cleaning and sealing the inside of the tooth, and finally filling it with dental composite. If the tooth has extensive decay, a crown might be recommended for additional strength and protection. With proper care, the restored tooth can last a lifetime!
Sealants
Brushing isn't always enough, especially for those hard-to-reach areas. Sealants offer extra protection against cavities by covering the deep grooves on your child's teeth. This makes the grooves smooth and less likely to trap plaque. Sealants are typically applied to permanent teeth after they erupt and usually last 3-5 years. If your child's sealants come off, let us know so we can re-seal them.
Veneers
Does your child hide their smile because of gaps, chips, stains, or misshapen teeth? Veneers can fix these imperfections
Wisdom Teeth: Why They Might Need to Come Out
Wisdom teeth, those extra molars in the back of your child's mouth, usually show up in the late teens or early twenties. But sometimes, there's just not enough space for them to erupt normally. This is called an impacted wisdom tooth, and it can cause problems.
If your child's wisdom tooth is impacted, it might need to be removed by a dentist. Leaving an impacted wisdom tooth in can lead to tenderness, swelling, or even severe pain in the gums. Cleaning impacted wisdom teeth can be tricky, making them more likely to get cavities, infections, and even gum disease.
Wisdom teeth are usually removed in the late teens or early twenties. This is because the roots haven't fully formed yet, and the jawbone is less dense. This makes removal easier and recovery faster.
To take out a wisdom tooth, the dentist will first numb the area with an anesthetic. Since the tooth might be under the gum and stuck in the jawbone, the dentist might need to remove some bone to get to it. To minimize bone removal, the dentist might cut the wisdom tooth into sections and take it out in pieces through a small opening.
Once the wisdom teeth are out, healing begins! How long it takes depends on how difficult the removal was. Your child's dentist will give you specific instructions for a smooth and comfortable recovery.
