At Dentree Dental Studio our kid-friendly approaches include phrases we use when explaining the procedures, sunglasses for kids to wear to avoid the bright lights during exams, televisions with children’s programs, various sedation options for intense procedures or nervous kids, and even prizes after the visit.

Baby teeth are very important to your child’s health and development. They help him or her to chew, speak and smile. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. 

But cavities aren't all that parents need to learn about their child's dental health. The age 1 dental visit lets parents discuss:

• How to care for an infant's or toddler's mouth
• Proper use of fluoride
• Oral habits, including finger and thumb sucking
• Ways to prevent accidents that could damage the face and teeth
• Teething and milestones of development
• The link between diet and oral health

Fissure sealants are resin coatings that are painted on to the grooves of the back teeth. The sealant forms a protective layer that keeps food and bacteria from getting stuck in the tiny grooves in the teeth and causing decay. Resin-based fissure sealants should be applied to the permanent molars of all children as early after eruption as possible.

During the dental exam, your child’s dentist may identify cavities. The digital x-rays used in our office, along with a tooth-by-tooth exam with a dental explorer (dental tool) can help uncover areas of decay. As long as the decay is not too large, in which case it would need pulp treatment, the tooth can be restored with a simple composite filling.

When a baby tooth is extensively decayed and using other filling materials isn't likely to be successful, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends restoring the tooth with a stainless steel crown especially if the tooth has received pulpal therapy.

Advantages

• Durable and Inexpensive
• Full coverage protection for the tooth
• Very little sensitivity
• Less likely to need retreatment

The pulp of a tooth is the inner, central core of the tooth. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels. The purpose of pulp therapy in Peadiatric Dentistry is to maintain the vitality of the affected tooth (so the tooth is not lost).