Kids need to see the dentist every few months, and we offer children’s dentistry to help their smiles shine! From routine checkups to care to prevent cavities, we can help little smiles of all ages. In today’s blog, your Ankeny, IA, dentist talks about ensuring healthier smiles with children’s dentistry.
Starting with Your Child’s Dental Exam
We want to see your child for their first visit at around age one, once the first baby tooth has erupted. This is a simple wellness visit with a knee-to-knee lap exam. Then at around age two, we want them to begin their routine checkup visits every six months, so we can monitor their smiles as they grow and watch for possible threats, like baby teeth failing to fall out on time, which could alter how permanent teeth erupt and lead to misalignment. We also look for the early signs of cavities so we can treat them with a filling. Even baby teeth need treatment because otherwise, they could be lost prematurely, which impacts alignment.
These visits help kids better understand their oral health and the importance of caring for their smiles each day on their own. They are less likely to develop anxiety and may even continue to see the dentist on their own as adults.
Cleaning Little Smiles
In the same appointment as the checkup, we will also clean their teeth. The process takes only a few minutes, and allows us to remove all plaque and tartar from the teeth with an ultrasonic scaling device and a manual pick. This helps brighten smiles and also lowers the risk of tooth decay and even gingivitis, while also fighting bad breath and teeth stains.
Fluoride and Dental Sealants
As part of our approach to children’s dentistry, we can also offer preventive treatments to help lower the risk of tooth decay. For example, as part of the checkup and cleaning visit, we can apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form, coating them, to keep the outer enamel strong and lower the risk of cavities. We also know kids have trouble brushing and flossing the molars, which sit at the rear of the mouth. Cavities tend to develop here more often for this reason. But with dental sealants, we can coat these teeth in a thin acrylic layer, so no food and drink particles can remain trapped there, stopping the onset of cavities. Sealants take seconds to apply but can stay in place for years to come!
If you have any questions about children’s dentistry, or if you want to make an appointment for your child, then contact our team today.
Dental Impressions Provides Children’s Dentistry
We offer pediatric dentistry to help kids enjoy healthier smiles. To schedule an appointment for your child, then call Dental Impressions in Ankeny, IA today at (515) 965-0230.
