We offer children’s dentistry to help kids of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens, to enjoy good oral health and strong smiles. We can offer preventive care and even lifelike dental restorations. In today’s blog, your Garland, TX, dentist talks about the benefits of children’s dentistry.
Checkups and Cleanings
Kids need to see us for a checkup and cleaning every six months starting as young as age two. These visits help instill good oral health habits, and also prevent kids from developing dental anxiety as they become accustomed to dental visits. A checkup is a chance to keep a close eye on the smile as it grows and develops, so we can address periodontal problems early on. We also clean the teeth, which involves removing all plaque and tartar from the smile to prevent cavities, infections, and even gingivitis, bad breath, and teeth stains.
Fluoride Treatments
During your child’s checkup and cleaning visit, we could also apply a topical fluoride gel to the teeth, a process that only takes a few minutes and helps safeguard the smile against tooth decay. Fluoride occurs naturally, and has been shown to strengthen outer enamel to keep cavities at bay. We can apply this directly to the teeth to help limit tooth decay. You can further help by making sure your kids three and younger use a rice sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when they brush, and kids over the age of three use a pea sized amount! Drinking plenty of tap water too, as it hydrates and likely contains fluoride to protect little smiles (and your smile too).
Dental Sealants
Children often have trouble reaching the rear teeth when they brush and floss. This means that food particles can remain trapped there and tooth decay is more likely to develop. To help prevent cavities, we can apply a special plastic coating to these teeth. The sealants prevent food particles from becoming stuck on or between the teeth, and they can last for ten years! As they wear away, then cling the longest to the more vulnerable portions of the teeth. These can provide long lasting protection against tooth decay for young children, or those with special needs or dexterity issues that make thorough brushing and flossing difficult.
Dental Fillings
If a cavity does form, we can offer treatment with a lifelike dental filling, one that is metal free!
Your Garland, TX, Dentist Helps Smiles of All Ages
Our team is ready to help kids maintain good oral health. To learn more about treating little smiles, then please schedule a consultation today by contacting Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX at (972)-530-0552. You can also find our practice at 6850 N Shiloh Rd, Suite C Garland, TX 75044.