Dentistry is important not just for adults, but for children too! Most children should have their first dental visit before they turn one, or when their first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. Afterward, it is important to stay up to date on your child’s health with routine appointments and check ups. By getting your child started at the dentist early, they develop good relationships and dental habits that can be carried on into adulthood.
Why Children’s Dentistry is so Important
Even though children start their life off with baby teeth that are expected to fall out, they still need to maintain proper dental hygiene. These baby teeth can develop cavities, which in turn lead to infection of a tooth or other parts of the body. When you visit our children’s center in Victorville, CA, our pediatric dentists and friendly staff do everything we can to help educate your child on their oral health, proper hygiene tips, and help them feel comfortable, so they are not afraid to return in the future. By starting early, you can get your child ready for a lifetime of good oral health and habits!
Children’s Dentistry Procedures
Baby teeth serve important functions in a child’s growing oral development. So when a baby tooth is damaged, dental crowns can still be used to restore the form and function of their tooth in order to allow for proper development.
We can see infants and babies to help make sure that their oral development is on track. Often, we prepare parents for what they can expect in the next few months, but if your infant has any problems, always feel confident in calling us right away!
Young teeth are easily susceptible to decay, so fluoride treatment helps protect against that. We can protect your child’s teeth with a fluoride coating that helps keep bacteria and decay from penetrating through the tooth enamel.
If your child is tongue- or lip-tied, a frenectomy can sever the small tissue holding development back. After a frenectomy, children will often be able to enjoy improved movement of the lip and tongue.
Similar to a fluoride treatment, sealants are protective coatings that protect hard to reach areas of your child’s mouth. This helps prevent bacteria and decay from affecting your child’s mouth as easily.
If a child’s tooth gets infected from an untreated cavity, we can perform a “baby root canal” on this tooth. Baby teeth have many nerves close to the surface of the mouth, so this infection can cause serious pain! A pulpotomy is an excellent solution for helping your child out of tooth pain.
As children lose their baby teeth, there is a chance the remaining teeth will shift within the mouth to fill in the gaps. This can cause problems for permanent teeth that are developing. Space maintainers help prevent this shift and keep your child’s oral structures right where they need to be!
If your child hasn’t been to a dentist yet, give Desert Dental Group Children’s Center a call today! Our designated children’s centers are a fun, safe, and calming environment for your little one to learn about their oral health and develop good habits for the future!