Pediatric Dentistry
If you are looking for an experienced, kid-friendly dental office, you have come to the right place. We work hard to create an environment where you and your child feel comfortable.
The First Visit
Your baby’s first visit to the dentist should be after the first tooth appears, but no later than the first birthday. This may sound early, but being proactive about your child’s dental health can help lead to good habits and a healthy smile that should last a lifetime. At your first visit, the dentist will examine your child’s mouth ensure everything is developing properly, check for any cavities or other issues and give you tips for daily care. If necessary, your child may also receive a professional cleaning.
Kid’s Complete Checkup
Regular exams and cleanings twice a year are vital for maintaining a healthy mouth and as a preventive measure against cavities and decay in your child’s teeth.
Kids’ dental checkups may include the following:
- Examination of the teeth and gums
- Fluoride
- Sealants
- Digital X-rays (when needed)
- Education about at-home care
Preventive Treatments
In order to help maintain your child’s healthy mouth, we provide many preventive measures including sealants and fluoride treatments.
Dental Sealants are a treatment used to prevent tooth decay, especially on back teeth (molars). These teeth have pits and fissures on the chewing surface, which makes them difficult to clean, leading to bacteria buildup and decay. Dental sealants are painted over these chewing surfaces creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. The process is simple and does not require any anesthesia.
Fluoride Treatments when used along with dental sealants, are one of the most effective ways to prevent tooth decay in children. Fluoride makes the tooth more impervious to acid attacks caused by sugars and plaque bacteria and acts as a shield for the outer enamel layer. In very early dental decay, fluoride can even reverse the process in some cases. Fluoride is a naturally existing mineral found in water and many foods, as well as in toothpastes and other over-the-counter products. Professional dental fluoride treatments are applied to the teeth as a gel, foam or varnish and consist of higher levels of fluoride than water and toothpastes.
Restorations
While we always focus on preventive care in order to avoid any invasive treatments, sometimes things happen and restorative treatments become necessary for our young patients.
Fillings: Whenever possible, we use fillings that are tooth-colored and are almost invisible! These fillings can be used with sealants. After a filling, we will encourage you and your child to continue with consistent home care including brushing twice and day and flossing daily.
Dental Crowns: When a filling is not enough, it is important to protect your child’s tooth with a crown. Whether stainless steel or composite, we will choose a crown that will be durable and comfortable for your child.
Space Maintainers: Sometimes baby teeth are lost too early. In these cases, we may recommend a space maintainer to hold the space open for the permanent tooth.
We are committed to creating a comfortable environment for our youngest patients. Give us a call today at (516) 366-1486 to make an appointment for you child.
