Children's Dental Care in Union

What Is Children's Dentistry?

Pediatric or children's dentistry, which is also called pedodontics, is a dental branch that concentrates on the treatment of children and teens. Dentists who work in this specialty can be called pedodontists or pediatric dentists. They are different from general dentists, who care for people of any age. When it comes to complex oral conditions, pedodontists offer more expertise because they undergo extra education and training. In fact, they're trained according to a different set of standards in order to offer dentistry for kids. Call us to request details about our dentists' education and training.

When Should Kids Visit the Dentist?

If you're wondering, "When should I look for a children’s dentist near me?", the answer is as soon as the first tooth emerges, according to a recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Even when children don't have teeth by their first birthdays, they should still see a dentist. However, you can never consider going to the dentist too soon to keep your child's gums and teeth healthy. Having an oral exam every six months is important to prevent dental issues in the future, such as cavities.

When Do Kids Get Their Baby Teeth?

When babies are born, their jawbones already have baby teeth in them. Before they turn three years old, some of these teeth will emerge through the gumline. While some babies experience their baby teeth coming in by six months old, others don't begin to get their primary teeth until after their first birthdays. By the time kids turn six, most of them have all 20 baby teeth. Protecting baby teeth is important because children need them to chew food and talk. In addition, they reserve space in the jaws for permanent teeth to come up into the right place. Otherwise, the adult teeth could emerge crooked. The best ways to protect baby teeth are to brush two times a day for two minutes each time with a fluoride toothpaste and to keep regular checkups with a children’s dentist. Ask our staff for more information about caring for primary teeth.

When Do Kids Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Children start to lose their primary teeth between the ages of six and 12. Over the next five years, their permanent teeth emerge. The molars appear first and help to shape kids' faces. Wisdom teeth are the last to appear—after the age of 17. Practicing good kids’ dental care is important to avoid developing cavities in adult teeth.

Why Do Children Get Toothaches?

Although toothaches can cause a lot of discomfort and pain, mouth injuries aren't usually the culprit. Instead, several issues can lead to toothaches. The most simple cause could be hard food that gets stuck between two teeth. Simply flossing will get the food out and relieve the pain. Another possibility is cracked enamel from biting on hard objects. The cracks can make teeth sensitive to cold and hot liquids. Most of the time, tooth decay is the cause of toothaches that linger for longer than a day. Typically, cavities occur on the surface of molars. When the pain becomes severe and throbbing, the cavities may have festered into abscesses. At this point, a root canal may be necessary to remove the infection. A fifth possible cause of kids' toothaches is gingivitis, which is a gum disease that makes the gums tender and bleed during brushing and flossing. Visit our children’s dentist in Union to get this condition under control.

What Procedures Do Dentists Perform for Children?

A kids’ dentist can use several procedures to protect and treat young people's teeth. Below is a quick look at some of the services our dentists offer:

• Teeth Cleaning: Our dental team uses a caring touch to clean children's teeth.
• Fluoride Treatment: We apply topical fluoride to tooth enamel as a natural cavity fighter that makes teeth resist decay.
• Dental Sealants: To prevent food and bacteria from getting trapped in the grooves of teeth, we put this thin layer of plastic on them.
• Dental Bonding: This procedure involves repairing minor fractures and chips with tooth-colored materials.
• Cavity Fillings: Our pediatric dentists remove damaged tooth pulp carefully and fill the hole to avoid further dental decay.
• Baby Root Canals: This treatment requires our pedodontists to clean the inside of a tooth down to the root.
• Pediatric Crowns: When kids have root canals, or when fillings can't repair the gaps from cavities, we use crowns to cover their teeth.
• Mouthguards: To protect kids' teeth during sports or sleep, we can provide these soft plastic mouth inserts.

What Should Parents Expect During the Dental Visit?

Besides assessing your kid’s mouth for cavities, dentistry for children includes a jaw and teeth alignment exam. In order to uncover possible hidden issues, our dentists may take X-rays. In addition, our team teaches parents and kids how to practice proper dental hygiene. Set up a visit with our children’s dentist today.