The dental care that kids receive as infants and toddlers affects their oral health for life. Problems with baby teeth can impact the permanent teeth waiting to erupt, and severe untreated decay can lead to infections by child dentistry Thibodaux La.
Fortunately, pediatric dentists can help. They provide a kid-friendly environment that can make your child’s first visit to the dentist a pleasant one.
Preventative Care
Pediatric dentists are specially trained to provide the best care for young patients. They focus on creating a relaxed environment that is fun for children and make them feel at ease during their visit. They can help children with dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, or bad breath. They can also advise parents on diet and nutrition to keep their child’s teeth healthy. They can even help children cope with habits such as thumb sucking or using a pacifier with the help of child dentistry Thibodaux La.
Routine Checkups
During these visits, pediatric dentists keep meticulous records of the patient’s ongoing dental health and jaw development. As a result, they are able to anticipate future problems and intervene before they become serious.
In addition to visual examinations, pediatric dentists provide thorough dental cleanings that eradicate plaque and debris from between teeth and in hard-to-reach areas. They also apply topical fluoride gels to the child’s molars. This remineralizes the teeth, staunches mineral loss, and protects against tooth decay.
Cleanings
Cleanings are the first step in maintaining good dental health for children. A pediatric dentist is able to discover warning signs or problems that may arise, such as tooth decay or crooked teeth. They can also clean the hard-to-reach nooks that form between crooked teeth.
This allows for early treatment and prevention of more serious problems down the line. They can also teach children about the importance of good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day and flossing regularly.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a mineral that can strengthen the outer coating of your child’s teeth and help prevent tooth decay. It can be delivered topically or systemically. Topical treatments include toothpastes with fluoride, mouth rinses, and gels. Systemic fluoride includes tablets and mouthwashes that are swallowed.
Children should receive professional fluoride treatments at regular intervals. This is especially important for those who have a high risk of cavities or whose home water does not contain enough fluoride.
Fillings
A dentist will use fillings to repair cavities that form when food, bacteria, and sugar attack the tooth. The dentist will numb the area with an anesthetic, and then put in the filling. The dentist may also give your child oral sedation or laughing gas if they are nervous about the procedure.
Regular checkups can identify warning signs of dental problems, such as crooked teeth or gum disease. This can prevent these issues from getting worse and save you money on expensive corrective treatments later.
Sealants
Applied through a painless procedure, dental sealants are thin plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of children’s back teeth to prevent decay. They seal off the deep grooves and pits that can trap food particles and bacteria, and when used properly, they reduce cavity risk by up to 80%.
Brushing and flossing are the best ways to keep kids’ teeth healthy, but it’s impossible to get into all of the tiny nooks and crannies of their mouths, especially in the hard-to-reach places where decay-causing bacteria hide. Sealants create a protective shield that can last for years.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics is the specialty of dentistry that corrects dental irregularities such as crooked teeth and misaligned bites. It requires several years of additional training in addition to dental school and is one of the nine specialty areas sanctioned by the American Dental Association.
Pediatric dentists understand that many children are visiting a dentist for the first time, so they make sure to provide a relaxed kid-friendly environment. They often offer books, toys, and brightly colored walls to help kids feel more comfortable during their visits.
Oral Sedation
Sedation can help reduce your child’s anxiety, making them more receptive to dental work. It can also increase their cooperation. It is often administered to children who have a low pain tolerance or those that need extensive dental work.
Nitrous oxide is a mild form of sedation, commonly known as “laughing gas.” It’s used in conjunction with oxygen to produce a calming effect. Patients are awake and able to respond, but they feel relaxed.
