Gentle Care for Little Smiles
Going to the family dentist really can be a fun and educational experience for children. We love seeing kids and teaching them lessons in good oral care that will stay with them into adulthood. We see youngsters of all ages – from infants to adolescents.
When Should My Child Visit the Dentist?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that children visit the dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts. We encourage you to schedule an appointment for your little one no later than around his or her first birthday. The sooner your child becomes familiar with visiting the dentist, the sooner he or she will understand and appreciate the importance of good oral hygiene. After that initial visit, we will want you to bring your little one in every six months so we can keep track of his or her oral health and address any developments that may arise. From tips for brushing and flossing properly, to fluoride treatments and dental sealants to strengthen and protect young teeth, Mai Dental provides complete care for younger patients.
A Dentist Who Nurtures
Dr. Vi Truong-Mai is proud of our youth-friendly office. We have the reputation for comfort, fun, and energy. Here are some of the highlights we have for children:
- Blankets and pillows
- Stickers
- Movies
- Play area with toys
- Coloring books that teach about oral care
- Nitrous oxide to help our young patients feel at ease
We know that dental procedures can make children anxious, thus we take a gentle yet enthusiastic approach to working with our young patients. While we take digital x-rays and examine your child’s teeth and gums for gum disease and tooth development, we are looking for common childhood risks and concerns including:
- Baby Bottle Syndrome: Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of sugary juice or formula, but instead use only water. Other beverages can result in rampant tooth decay; the upper front teeth are most commonly affected. This phenomenon also occurs when children suck on pacifiers dipped in honey.
- Thumb sucking: This common childhood habit may look cute but it can ruin proper alignment of developing adult teeth, causing them to protrude, and eventually require braces.
After the initial exam, we will thoroughly but gently clean your child’s teeth and apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen the enamel. We can also place dental sealants to protect against cavities if we feel it’s necessary. Finally, your child will leave with a grab bag with a kid-sized toothbrush and toothpaste. We look forward to seeing your child.
Does Your Little One Need Children’s Dentistry?
We have the knowledge and expertise to offer kids of all ages quality children’s dentistry. We also want to help educate children on the proper ways to maintain healthy smiles. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in Spanish and Vietnamese. To learn more, or to schedule your next appointment, call our Garland, TX office today at (972) 530-0552.
