Pediatric Dentistry

 

Pediatric Dentistry

Your child’s oral health is essential to promoting his or her proper growth and development. We have a lot of experience working with kids of all ages, and our hands off approach helps them feel safe and comfortable.

We want your child to have a positive first impression of the dental office, so we’ve provided a special kids’ area filled with books, games, and all sorts of neat toys. Every member of our dental team has the goal in mind of making your child’s visits to our office more fun and enjoyable. So that way we can start them on their way to a lifetime of healthy smiles.

 

Oral Health Care During Pregnancy

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Hormonal changes during pregnancy can greatly influence your oral health. You may have an increased risk for getting some form of gum disease, like gingivitis or periodontitis.

Moreover, research has shown a link between serious gum disease and complications during pregnancy like premature births and babies with low-birth-weight. One of the best ways to protect your baby’s health is to be proactive with your oral health during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, be sure to maintain a healthy diet and a solid oral health routine, including regular dental cleanings, exams, and good at-home-care.

Your child’s first dental appointment should be scheduled no later than the age of 1. During teething, the risk for developing cavities goes up once your baby starts consuming things other than breast milk.

During the first appointment, we will ensure that they have a positive experience by taking the time to help them feel comfortable with the environment of a dental office. We will then examine your child’s teeth for any obvious issues, but our goal for very young children is got get them used to the idea of visiting a dental office.

 

Pediatric Oral Health Care From Age Two to Six

After the initial visit, we recommend scheduling appointment for your child twice a year at our Queen Anne dental office for check ups. They will receive oral health exams and cleanings We will continue to ensure that your child has a pleasant experience to for their peace of mind. Once your child reaches the age of two or three, they will  usually have all their baby teeth. Routine exams, cleanings and application of sealants and fluoride help to prevent cavities, protecting the baby teeth.

You can think of your child’s baby teeth as the building blocks for future oral health. Think of them as placeholders for permanent teeth. Losing a baby tooth too soon may cause the permanent teeth to come in and drift at funny angles, resulting in alignment issues.

 

Ongoing Oral Care for your Growing Child

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A child’s permanent teeth may erupt as early as age five; by age ten, a child will typically have most of his/her permanent teeth. At this time, a routine of good oral hygiene, regular check ups, cleanings, and a proper diet should already be established.

Regular exams also allow us to make sure your child’s teeth are developing properly, and to help us determine the need for possible orthodontic treatment.

Older kids are usually participating in sports. So it’s very important to make sure their teeth are protected, especially during contact sports. We can make your child a custom-designed mouth guard to help avoid teeth damage that may be sustained during certain sports.

 

Does Your Kid Need Sealants?

Dr. Chiang and Dr. Goel can help you determine this. Many kids benefit from sealants because more often than not they miss brushing the deep grooves in their molars. Kids Frequently miss these hard to reach areas with their toothbrush, which leads to buildup of plaque and bacteria, which can cause tooth decay and possible tooth loss.

Sometimes the grooves can be so deep that toothbrush bristles can’t really get inside them to clean them. Our dental sealants protect these problem areas from decay-causing bacteria. How do sealants work? Sealants are a resin material that fills in the grooves of the teeth that often hide food and bacteria. Sealants make it impossible for the plaque to build up in the fissures of teeth by sealing these areas and blocking them off.

 

Contact Us to Schedule Your Child’s Appointment

For your scheduling convenience, we offer extended evening hours on weekdays as well as Saturday appointments. If your child has a dental emergency, we can usually see him or her during the same day to help diagnose/treat the problem.

We want your child to get started on a lifetime of quality oral health care. Please contact our Queen Anne dental office to schedule an appointment or a complimentary consultation.

We look forward to meeting you and your child!