Preventive Procedures in Pediatric Dentistry
Our pediatric dental services in Rock Hill, SC, are designed to stop tooth decay before it starts. For parents with infants, we encourage you to bring your child in when their first tooth erupts, and no later than 1 year old, for their very first visit. From there, we can monitor your child’s oral development through each stage of growth, be it their primary teeth or their secondary teeth. We will maintain their oral health by detecting and treating dental concerns before they become larger problems. The best way to do that is to come in for your child’s regular visits with our pediatric dentists twice a year.
Dental Cleanings & Exams
Regular dental visits are essential for clean, healthy smiles, and that goes for your child too! Our pediatric dental team need to see your child for routine care to maintain good oral health and to locate or address any potential problems. During your child’s checkup, we will:
- Gently clean their teeth to remove plaque and tartar to prevent cavities, infections and gum disease.
- Floss between each of their teeth to remove the food particles and plaque your child could not reach by brushing alone.
- Examine their smile to see if there are any health issues. This may include taking dental X-rays.
Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)
X-rays are valuable aids to help us diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be visibly seen. X-Rays can detect much more than cavities. They can show erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, measure the damage of an injury, or help with the planning of pediatric treatment.
Digital x-rays, a quick and efficient method for capturing images of your child’s dental health, are used only when deemed necessary by the dentist. Typically, x-rays are recommended every few years, though children with a higher risk of oral disease may need more frequent scans.
Oral Hygiene Instructions Review
- Children under 3 years old: Help your child brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a soft toothbrush with a smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste.
- Children 3 years old and older: Help your child brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teach your child to spit the toothpaste out. When your child has teeth that touch, help them floss once a day.
- Children 10 years and older: They usually can brush and floss on their own. Help them remember to brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time and floss once a day.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is considered to be nature’s own cavity fighter. Fluoride helps build tooth enamel which helps protect your teeth from tooth decay. Here at New Kids Dental Rock Hill, we are dedicated to the prevention of tooth decay. We believe that fluoride works well to strengthen children’s teeth. It also has been shown to help prevent tooth decay in people of all ages. For this reason, the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association believe that topical fluoride is necessary for good oral health.
Sealants
Dental sealants are like invisible tooth protectors! We paint a clear, safe resin on your child’s teeth that hardens under a special light. It acts like a shield, keeping away cavity-causing bacteria and food particles. This treatment is especially great for back teeth, where cavities are most likely to form. Sealants “seal off” the pit and fissure of your child’s molars to prevent food and plaque from collecting and forming cavities.
SDF – Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive alternative to fillings. SDF treatment doesn’t require any drills or shots, and takes only a few minutes. Our team will apply the SDF solution on the affect areas. This solution seals and strengthens the tooth, protecting it from further decay. This kid-friendly procedure is quick, pain-free, and doesn’t involve any drills or shots. It’s like painting a superhero shield on their tooth that fights off decay-causing bacteria and strengthens their tooth.