Just like you, kids benefit from routine care to combat issues like tooth decay, so they can enjoy bright and healthy smiles. We offer a full range of treatments for children, so they can enjoy their best smile for years to come. Our Oklahoma City, OK, dental practice can help your child maintain a beautiful smile free of issues like cavities with a comprehensive approach to pediatric dentistry.
Your Child’s First Visit
We would love to see your little one once the first primary tooth erupts, usually around age one. This is a wellness visit that involves a simple knee-to-knee lap exam. Starting at around two, kids should attend regular checkup and cleaning visits every six months. These appointments enable us to watch for issues that could threaten the teeth, such as tooth decay, and take action to prevent or treat them. We also make sure baby teeth erupt and fall out on schedule, and that your child’s permanent teeth have a clear path to proper eruption. The cleaning portion protects the smile from cavities and gingivitis, as well as bad breath and teeth stains, by removing all harmful layers of plaque and tartar.
Dental Fillings
What if we discover a cavity that needs treatment? Even if the decay forms in a baby tooth, treatment is crucial because while the tooth may eventually fall out on its own, this could be months or even years later, so the tooth could become infected, fall out prematurely, and increase the risk of misalignment. Instead, we can treat the decay in one visit with a filling, one made from a safe and gentle composite resin, which offers a more lifelike appearance and bonds with the tooth, providing years of quality restoration.
Preventive Treatments
We can also discuss preventive visits to help lower the risk of cavities in little smiles. For example, as part of your child’s six-month appointment, we could apply fluoride in a varnish form to the teeth, strengthening the outer enamel to make cavities less likely to occur. This takes seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes. Dental sealants could also be applied to the rear teeth, which are hard for kids to reach when brushing and flossing, which lowers the risk of cavities for years to come! Sealants can stay in place for ten years, and only take seconds to apply. If you have any questions about our approach to pediatric dentistry, then contact our team today.
Talk To Your Oklahoma City, OK Dentist About Pediatric Dentistry
Kids need routine care to maintain good oral health too, and we’re ready to help. If you would like to find out more about pediatric dental care, then call our Oklahoma City, OK dental practice at (405) 752-0111.
