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Pediatric Dentist in San Antonio, TX
Finding a separate dentist for your children is a pain. At Empire Dental, we prioritize your entire family. Schedule yourself, your spouse, and your children on the same day! Our dental professionals are patient and comforting in providing exceptional pediatric dental care to your children. As a busy family, finding multiple providers can make your life seem even more chaotic. Cut the chaos and schedule your children at Empire Dental!
Good dental hygiene and dental habits start at home. It is even more essential to start establishing routine dental care with a dentist as young as age one. Empire Dental will see you and your whole family with flexible and quick scheduling.
Common Dental Problems in Children
At any age, children can be prone to cavities, gingivitis and other common dental problems. However, it is important to remember that many of these issues are preventable with proper oral hygiene at home and regular visits to the dentist. In general, here are some of the most common dental problems in children:
- Tooth decay caused by sugary foods and drinks
- Enamel erosion due to acidic substances, such as soda and sports drinks
- Gum disease caused by plaque buildup
- Misaligned teeth or bite issues, which can lead to early tooth wear and jaw problems
It is important to see a dentist regularly to ensure that any of these issues can be caught and treated promptly. With proper care, your child’s smile will stay healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Common Pediatric Dental Treatments
Depending on the condition of your child’s teeth, the dentist may recommend various treatments to ensure a healthy smile. Common treatments for children include:
Fluoride
Fluoride treatments can help protect children’s teeth in a number of ways. It strengthens tooth enamel, making teeth more resistant to decay. Fluoride also helps remineralize teeth that have already begun to decay, reversing the damage in some cases. For this reason, many dentists recommend fluoride treatments for children who are more prone to cavities due to poor oral hygiene or a high-sugar diet. In addition, since children are still developing their permanent teeth, fluoride can help ensure that those teeth will be strong and healthy when they arrive.
Sealants
Sealants are an important dental care procedure for children, as they help to protect kids’ teeth from decay. Sealants involve painting a thin clear coating to the surfaces of the back teeth, providing physical barriers which defend against food particles and bacteria that can cause cavities. Studies have shown that preventative sealant treatments can reduce the occurrence of cavities in molars by 50-70%. It is recommended that children start having sealants applied between the ages of 6-14, when most permanent molars have erupted.
Fillings
Keeping up with your children’s oral health is important at every stage of their development, even before they are old enough to brush and floss on their own. It is normal for a child’s baby teeth to require fillings if the dental enamel has suffered damage because of cavities. It’s essential that parents ensure that any dental fillings needed for their child are both safe and effective, so that the child can feel comfortable and have healthy teeth for many years without complications or dangers.
What Age Do You Take Your Child to the Dentist?
It is recommended that children start visiting the dentist for regular check-ups by 12 months or a few months after the first sign of teeth. This is because at that stage, baby teeth are fully developed and prone to cavities and other dental problems. The earlier these issues can be caught, the easier they will be to treat and prevent in the future. Additionally, starting dental visits at a young age can help your child become more comfortable with the dentist and make dental care a normal part of life for them.
At their initial dental visit, the dentist will likely do a basic evaluation of your child’s teeth and gums. They may also take X-rays or apply a topical fluoride treatment to help strengthen the teeth. As your child grows, their dental visits will become more in-depth and frequent, and may include a thorough cleaning, cavity checks and any necessary treatments.
Schedule Twice a Year Children’s Dentist Check-Ups
Just like we recommend with adults, we highly encourage parents to schedule their children for a routine dental check-up twice per year. Establishing a daily dental routine by age 5 can set your child up for great dental health for their entire lives. As they lose their baby teeth between ages 5 and 12, learning the proper brushing and flossing techniques can prevent serious dental issues as their adult teeth grow in. During their regular dental appointments, our dental hygienist will perform a deep cleaning, which helps remove plaque and build-up from the areas your child may miss when brushing or flossing. The dentist and our team will also help teach the proper techniques for at-home brushing.
Regular appointments are more than just scraping off the gunk. These routine dental visits also allow the dentist to track the progress of your child’s dental development. The dentist will determine the presence of any abnormal underbites, overbites, or crossbites and evaluate the need for braces or other corrective devices. Coming in every 6 months is vital to your child’s dental health and preventing issues from arising later on.
How to Foster Good Oral Health Habits in Children
In addition to regular dental visits and treatments, it is important for parents to help their children develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. Some tips for helping your child have healthy teeth include:
- Encouraging them to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
- Limiting sugary foods and drinks
- Flossing regularly
- Teaching them the importance of a healthy diet
- Monitoring their brushing and flossing to make sure they are doing it correctly
Our Flexible Scheduling Fits Your Family’s Needs
Don’t delay! Contact Empire Dental to schedule your childrens’ dentist appointments today.