First Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child should see a pediatric dentist around the time of his or her first birthday.

During your child’s first visit, we will evaluate the development of your child’s mouth, review how to care for these new teeth, and help stop or prevent any harmful habits. Providing education and teaching prevention can lead to a lifetime of great dental health.

Our goal is to make this first visit enjoyable for both the child and the parent. Our staff is trained to treat children of all ages and will work to make everyone comfortable. If your child should have decay or other issues needing treatment, this would typically be scheduled at a follow up appointment.

Cleanings

Dental cleanings are an important step in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. While daily brushing and flossing keeps plaque and tartar from building up on the surfaces of the teeth, professional cleanings remove buildup from places that toothbrushes simply cannot reach, as well as polishes the teeth to mitigate stains and future buildup. If it’s been longer than a year since your last cleaning, then it’s time to make an appointment!

Cleanings are done twice a year for our patients at Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. Cleanings help prevent gum disease and allow for the removal of plaque and calculus that can lead to poor oral health. During these appointments, we will also apply a fluoride treatment and take dental radiographs when needed. This appointment concludes with a comprehensive exam by Dr. Jamie to assess any possible issues since the patient’s previous visit.

Bacteria from the foods that you eat causes plaque, the white film that sits atop the surfaces of the teeth. Brushing and flossing daily is a great way to remove plaque from teeth, but a professional dental cleaning scrapes away plaque buildup that you may not see with the naked eye.

If not removed from the teeth, plaque hardens into dental calculus (also called tartar). Calculus builds up between teeth and between your teeth and gums, and can cause gums to become inflamed or infected. This in turn can lead to gum disease, which has been linked to a host of other medical issues, including diabetes, dementia and heart disease.

Dental Radiographs

Dental X-rays allow Dr. Jamie to examine how adult teeth are forming in the jaw, detect problems, diagnose disease, evaluate the extent of injuries, and plan treatment for each child. Every child we see is different, and the need for certain digital x-rays will vary from child to child. Our office uses only digital radiography equipment, which further minimizes radiation exposure even lower than the recommended levels.

Sealants

Dental sealants protect teeth by reducing their risk of developing cavities in the deep grooves of the molars. These sealants are made of a thin plastic material applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth which lead to a smoother surface which is easier for a child to keep clean.

Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. However, toothbrush bristles cannot always reach all the way into the depressions and grooves on the chewing surfaces of the teeth (also known as pits and fissures), to remove food and plaque. Dental sealants protect these surfaces by keeping plaque and bacteria out.

Sealants are easy to apply and can be done during a regular checkup and cleaning visit. The sealant is painted onto the tooth enamel, where it bonds directly to the tooth and hardens. As long as the sealant remains in place, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and may last several years before a needing to be reapplied. During your child’s regular dental visits, Dr. Jamie will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them if necessary.

Fluoride

Fluoride applications after your child’s cleanings can help decrease their risk of developing tooth decay. For children with an increased risk of decay or who are undergoing orthodontic therapy, prescription strength fluoride toothpaste may be prescribed for everyday use at home. Fluoride supplements also are effective in reducing prevalence of dental caries and should be considered for children at high caries risk who drink fluoride-deficient (<0.6pmm F) water.