Oral health is important at every stage of life, but it’s especially important at a young age. Texas Dentistry offers patients a wide variety of treatments that make sure that your child’s oral health is in good shape from their first visit as a child to their future visit as a young adult. With routine checkups, cleanings, and restorative treatments, our dental office will ensure that your child’s oral development is a positive one. Feel free to schedule their first appointment today for pediatric dentistry in Kaufman!
We recommend that children have their first dentist visit either by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. During this initial visit, we’ll take a brief look inside their mouth to make sure no cavities are present. You’re more than welcome to have them sit on your lap if that makes them feel more comfortable. Most of the first visit will be catered towards answering questions you may have about at-home care, diet, potential future treatments, and other important information regarding their oral development.
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Routine cleanings and checkups are crucial for patients of all ages. However, children experience a higher risk for tooth decay compared to other groups, which is why consistent checkups and cleanings are especially important. During their visit, we’ll closely examine all of their teeth, gums and other oral structures for plaque and tartar development, then remove it carefully and precisely. We’ll also provide a fluoride rinse to protect their developing tooth enamel.
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While all teeth are susceptible to tooth decay, the molars and premolars are especially vulnerable because of the many pits and fissures they contain. As a result, food debris, plaque, and bacteria can easily become trapped inside these teeth and develop decay faster than neighboring teeth. Dental sealants can protect these teeth, therefore reduce the risk of cavity development. After brushing the composite resin and hardening it instantly using a special curing light, your child can expect protection for at least 10 years.
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In many cases, teeth can develop incredibly small imperfections in teeth that are essentially the early stages of a cavity. When a dental filling is too much to treat these teeth, our dentists can use silver diamine fluoride instead. This procedure is performed to not only strengthen tooth enamel like typical fluoride but stop the development of cavities in their tracks in a more conservative way. It can even reduce sensitivity that is typically associated with early cavity development.
In the event that a cavity does appear, our dental office can effectively restore your child’s tooth and do so without the use of metal or silver amalgam materials. Tooth-colored fillings also make use of composite resin, which more moldable and therefore easier to shape once placed inside of a tooth. After forming it properly inside your tooth, we’ll harden it into place using a special curing light. With proper care, they can last at least 10 years without issue.
Are your youngest active? Do they play a contact sport like football, basketball, hockey or other sport that involves a high risk for injury? If so, making sure that have a mouthguard that fits them properly is crucial for a number of reasons. If their mouthguard is uncomfortable, it doesn’t only mean they won’t bother to wear it. It also means that their protection is not optimal. To reduce the risk of a broken or even knocked-out tooth, it’s best to give them a custom-made mouthguard they’ll actually want to wear.
All family members deserve the same high-quality care. Unfortunately, many dental offices are not able to meet all the needs of families, including those with children who have special needs. As dentists who take pediatric dentistry seriously, Texas Dentistry is prepared to meet your child’s needs, provide patience throughout your appointment, and do everything possible to ensure their safety and comfort from start to finish. Please give us a call before your appointment so that we can ensure a swift and efficient visit for your child.
Has your child always found it difficult to move their mouth or tongue? If so, it could mean that the frenulum, the thin piece of oral tissue connecting the lips and tongue to the floor/roof of the mouth, has become too large. With our gentle and conservative frenectomies, we can give your child full movement of their tongue and mouth, making it easier for them to speak and eat the foods they enjoy.
If a tooth has become severely damaged and developed an infection, our goal is to save that tooth at all costs. Pulp therapy works to treat, restore and save affected teeth, including baby teeth and permanent teeth. Upon close examination of your child’s tooth, which includes x-rays and a detailed visual exam, we’ll develop a treatment plan and walk you throw each of the steps beforehand. Keep in mind that pulpotomies and pulpectomies are both very common.
While it is not necessarily common, there are instances where baby teeth need to be extracted manually. For example, if a baby tooth fails to fall out as a permanent tooth begins to erupt, we’ll take the steps to gently remove it. Baby teeth may also need to be extracted in order to make room for orthodontic treatment, treat tooth decay, or because their tooth broke as a result of physical injury.
These custom-made, acrylic or metal oral appliances are used to create space inside your child’s mouth. This allows permanent teeth which have yet to erupt to develop properly and come into a healthy position. These appliances can be designed to be removable or fixed, depending on our recommendations and your preferences. While it will take a few days for your child to get used to the appliance, it will ensure your child’s teeth develop without future complications.
We understand that many children struggle to receive dental care, especially if they had a negative experience with a previous dentist or have a mental disability. In both circumstances, we can help put them at ease and make it easier to sit in the dental chair. One of the most common forms of sedation we provide is nitrous oxide, a sedative combining oxygen and nitrous to ease patients with mild levels of anxiety or fear of dental treatment.
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