Pediatric Dentistry
Your children establish lifelong oral health attitudes when they are young. By getting them on a regular exam schedule, you teach them to see the dentist’s office as an important and welcoming place, and help them learn how to care for their teeth for the rest of their lives.
Drake Dental offers dental care for patients of all ages. If you’re looking for a new office for your entire family, schedule your appointments today – we look forward to meeting you!
When should my child first visit the dentist?
Professional dental care starts earlier than you may think. Your child should visit the dentist either by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Most infants’ teeth begin erupting when they are around 6 months old. Baby teeth are a roadmap for permanent teeth. By ensuring that their primary teeth are cavity-free and healthy, you help guide the proper growth of their adult teeth. Children with health primary teeth are also better able to chew properly, speak clearly, and feel confident about their smile and overall appearance. They also learn brushing and flossing habits that will stick for decades to come.Getting Your Child Comfortable with the Dentist
There are a few ways to help your children feel at home in the dental chair.- Have them watch your own cleaning & exam – They can shadow you and learn that there’s nothing to fear.
- Try dental activities at home – There are many different fun activities, science experiments and games that you can try out at home to help your kids understand the important of good oral health.
- Play dentist – Try play-acting a dental exam to go over what your kids can expect.
- Plan family appointments – By scheduling exams for yourself and your children on the same day, you can all take part in exams together.
Sealants
We typically offer sealants to our young patients to help prevent cavities on the back teeth. Children’s molars are typically decay-prone for a few reasons: they are used in the chewing process, they are most likely to have cracks or fissures that hold onto bacteria, and they are also the most difficult to clean when brushing teeth. Children’s molars typically erupt between the ages of 5-7, with a second set coming in between 11-14. We recommend that sealants be placed after the first set of molars comes in. This provides protection from an early age.- The sealant process is quick and comfortable.
- First, an adhesive is applied to the teeth.
- Next, the liquid sealant is placed over the adhesive.
- The liquid hardens, creating a barrier around the tooth that protects it from harmful bacteria.
- Sealants typically last up to 10 years, and can be reapplied.