• 03 JUL 19
    • 0

    Dental Work That’s Safe for Kids

    smiling baby boy with blond curly hair in dental chair. Pediatric dentistry.

    Visiting the dentist is something that can make kids apprehensive at first because of the bright lights, dental tools and loud sounds. That is why it’s important to start children off with frequent dental visits at an early age. Children should be visiting the dental office at least twice a year for dental cleanings and exams. If they have cavities, they will need them fixed promptly so they don’t need extensive dental work. Here are some services we offer for children that’s safe for kids and some tips to keep their mouths healthy and clean!

     

    Take Care of Children’s Teeth at Home

    When your child’s first tooth comes into the mouth, you will have to start proper oral care for your infant, as they won’t be able to care for their own teeth until they’re about 3 or 4.

     

    The front teeth will come into the mouth first, followed by the bottom teeth and that pattern will continue on top and bottom until 20 teeth are in the mouth. The teeth will fall out the same way starting around age 7 or 8 through age 12 and 13. For your child’s teeth, you want to make sure the tooth (or teeth) is getting brushed at least twice a day. Use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste for infants and pea-sized for children. Brush for 2 minutes each time. Floss with flossers (because they are easier for children) 1-2 times a day once the teeth move closer together.

     

    Mouthwash is not safe for most children unless it is made specifically for children. Only use mouthwash or fluoride specifically given to you by a dentist for your child. The best way to avoid cavities is to follow the guidelines for brushing and flossing. You also want to limit your child’s sugar intake. The American Heart Association recommends that infants get zero sugar throughout the day, as added sugars is not a nutrient that the body needs. Children 2-18 should have no more than 6 grams a day. That will limit acidic plaque production the mouth makes that comes directly from eating sugar. That plaque is a sticky substance made in the mouth when sugar is eaten and it’s what decays the teeth.

     

    smiling baby boy with blond curly hair in dental chair. Pediatric dentistry.

    Prepare Children for the Dental Office

    The habits we listed are the ones you want to follow to keep your child’s mouth as healthy as possible. You also want to make sure you follow the American Dental Association’s recommendation to see a dentist at least twice a year for dental cleanings and comprehensive exams. This is a time when oral issues like tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease can be found and corrected before the issues become severe.

     

    These visits are especially beneficial for children. The most important part of the first few dental visits is for an infant to become comfortable for a dentist. When this relationship is established early, and dental visits happen biannually, children will grow up knowing they need to visit the dentist. Parents will be alongside infants for visits for several years, and infants can even be in a parent’s lap for their exams. With regular dental visits for infants:

    • They can avoid tooth decay that can lead to premature tooth loss.
    • Toddlers can become familiar with dental visits, leading to less dental phobia as they grow.
    • The baby teeth can come in correctly, setting a patient up for great oral health for life.
    • Children learn early how to properly take care of their oral health.
    • Bite and alignment issues can be caught early, preventing extensive procedures later on.

     

    Child as patient with female dentist during dental intervention in dental clinic

    Pediatric Dentistry

    Most of our restorative or general dentistry services are perfectly safe for children. We may simply make the dental environment more colorful, quieter or more inviting for a small child or infant so that they stay calm in the dental office for their dental work.

     

    At Evanson DDS, we do our best to make kids feel comfortable in our office. We recognize that going to see the dentist can be stressful for some kids. Our kind and courteous team of hygienists and doctors help put kids at ease.

    We provide the following services for our young patients:

    • Preventive Care – Includes oral hygiene instruction, diet counseling, fluoride treatment and gentle dental cleanings.
    • Sealants – Plastic dental coatings painted on the teeth to prevent decay
    • Tooth-Colored Fillings – These are done with laser dentistry (see below), a pain-free method without injection.
    • Emergency/Trauma Care
    • Orthodontic Evaluation/Referral
    • Nitrous Oxide – This laughing gas option can be used for root canals or other restorative procedures to help ease young children and even adults.

     

    Little girl and her mother brushing teeth together on color background

    What If Your Child Gets a Cavity?

    There are cavity treatment options for small infants, children or adults. One of the best options is laser dentistry, which is a method of removing tooth decay with laser light. This is a virtually pain-free way to remove decay, where the tooth area is then filled with composite resin to restore the tooth. You want to do all that you can to avoid cavities in the baby teeth.

     

    Much of that prevention will come from how well you take care of your infant’s teeth. When cavities do happen, we can work with you to help make your infant’s teeth healthy once more so no permanent dental damage happens. We use the least invasive dental options possible to help remove decay and disease and to restore optimal oral health in your child. From fillings and sealants to cleanings and x-rays, all of the services we offer to children are safe and are used to help improve oral health.

     

    Schedule Your Child’s Dental Exam Today!

    No parent wants their child to struggle with decaying teeth. Luckily, they don’t have to. With good dental care at home and frequent dental visits, your child can have a healthy smile for life. Call Dr. Evanson’s office today at (720) 409-0008 and learn how to get started with baby or child dental visits or to learn specifics about the services we provide!

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