Dentistry for Kids The health of your child's teeth and gums is crucial in that it helps determine how their bite will be in the future. Every parent wants their child to have a beautiful, healthy smile. Starting to see a dentist at an early age for oral checkups and exams plays a vital role in ensuring good oral hygiene and maintaining healthy gums and teeth. Our pediatric dentistry team at Jerome Riddle DDS advises you to bring your child into our office for early assessment, cavity prevention, and other oral care needs. What Does Pediatric Dentistry Involve?Our dental office takes care of the oral needs of children from infancy to their teen years. Baby teeth are already present in the jaw of a child at birth and that is the reason why dentists say gum and tooth care need to start even before the initial baby tooth comes in. You need to ensure you get your little one to our office for their first dental visit within six months from the time their first tooth comes in. Ideally, you should make sure the first dental visit is no later than the time they reach their first birthday. Early assessment and exams are very important since they can identify oral issues that, if left alone, could adversely harm the health of the mouth. While the first visit does not mean wearing braces or other restorations like dentures, it is an ideal time to see whether the gums and teeth are healthy and developing properly. It is during this time that our dentist is able to determine if a child has dental issues such as malocclusion. The dentist can take X-rays to help critically examine the structures of the mouth. X-rays are able to reveal cavities forming in teeth or below the gums, impacted teeth, and other oral issues that are unable to be detected otherwise. Kids and teens are still undergoing development and changes in their face and jaw since the permanent teeth are still erupting. Tooth decay starts on the chewing surfaces of teeth. The teeth at the back of the mouth are responsible for chewing and for that reason, they have deep pits and grooves. The pits and grooves tend to trap plaque, food remains, and bacteria. Our dentist provides sealants to help prevent cavities. Your child will need sealants if they are susceptible to cavities and decay. In addition, our pediatric dentistry team provides education to patients so that they learn how to help their little ones brush and floss and maintain their oral hygiene. Educating parents about dental health for kids is paramount because it prevents many oral issues that can develop due to poor oral hygiene. Our dentist will provide more information about nutrition and diet for kids that helps promote dental health. Parents will find out what foods their child should avoid, such as frequent intake of sugars and acidic foods and drinks. We also provide fluoride treatment to strengthen your child's teeth and ensure protection from decay and cavities. Visit our team at Jerome Riddle DDS to see how we can help with oral care for your child. Book your appointment by calling us at 480-991-4410 today. |
