Pediatricians and dentists recommend a child’s first dental visit at age one. The first visit is to establish a dental home for your child and helps us to focus on prevention, guidance, and early detection and treatment of dental diseases that will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.
New environments can be intimidating for some children, so during our initial exam our staff encourages parents to sit chair-side. As your child becomes familiar with the sights, sounds, and friendly helpers in our dental office, we encourage parents to allow them to demonstrate independence at subsequent visits. Be proud of your child’s ability to get in the dental chair on their own and take responsibility for their personal hygiene. They will be proud, too!
As your child grows, he or she will need regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure optimal oral health. Our team will also teach oral homecare techniques so that your child can learn how to effectively brush and floss, with your help at first, then on his or her own. The dentist may recommend dental sealants or fluoride supplements. Sealants are thin, clear coatings that protect hard-to-clean back teeth from the sugars that cause tooth decay. Fluoride attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. Because most bottled water does not contain fluoride, your child may be deficient in this essential mineral. Sealants and fluoride supplements are quick and easy protective measures that can save your little one from cavities.
Let us help your children learn the importance of optimal oral health from a young age. We will help you make the best choices for your children.
Dental Sealants
Many people have deep pits and grooves in their teeth where bacteria and food particles can hide and cause decay. Through no fault of your own, you may be more susceptible to developing decay in these grooves
Children with poor brushing habits are the most prone to develop decay on hard-to-reach molars. For situations like these, dental sealants offer a means of protecting molar and premolar chewing surfaces from decay. Recognized by the American Dental Association as a key means of cavity prevention, dental sealants consist of a thin plastic film that is applied to teeth in these pits and grooves.
To apply a sealant, we first thoroughly prepare your teeth with a cleaning and etching solution. After about 15-30 seconds, we thoroughly rinse the solution off, dry the surface, apply the sealant, and harden it with a curing light. The entire procedure is fast, easy, and comfortable. It takes about 30 minutes, depending on the number of teeth to seal.
Dental sealants create an impenetrable physical barrier for small food particles and cavity-causing bacteria, making them highly effective in preventing tooth surface decay and the resulting cavities. Sealants can last up to ten years. Most insurance companies cover sealant procedures for children, but not always for adults. The good news is that insurance companies seem to be recognizing this technique’s value as a preventive measure that will help reduce future dental costs and more aggressive treatments.
Fluoride
Most US tap water contains fluoride today. However, most bottled water does not. Many people have fluoride deficiency, which puts teeth at a greater risk for getting cavities.
In some cases, parents think that they are protecting their babies by using bottled water to mix formula, but actually, tap water is better in this case. Many children pack bottled water in school lunches, and adults tend to toss a bottled water in the car instead of filling up a reusable water bottle with tap water.
Fluoride is an interesting mineral because it attracts other minerals and strengthens tooth enamel. At your checkup, we can determine whether your teeth would benefit from a fluoride supplement. If we find that your teeth would benefit, we will recommend the best fluoride option for you.
