Pediatric Dentistry
At AmeriPlex Family Dental Care, we strive to provide quality dentistry to every member of your family, children included.
Bringing Your Child to See Dr. Cave
Dental care should begin early, so it’s recommended that your child visit the dentist at six months, after their first tooth has erupted. This will give Dr. Cave an opportunity to perform an examination to check for any dental or developmental problems. You’ll also get recommendations on how to prevent problems such as baby bottle tooth decay, how to deal with teething issues, and prolonged thumb-sucking.
At your child’s first appointment with us, we will:
Go over proper home hygiene techniques
Check for cavities and other developmental problems
Teach your child that the dentist's office isn't a scary place to visit
Why Dental Care Is Important for Children
While baby teeth will one day be replaced by permanent teeth, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to keep them healthy. Baby teeth hold the space for the permanent teeth that will follow them. Losing these teeth too early can cause problems for the permanent teeth when they come in. Tooth decay and infections in baby teeth can also cause developmental problems for the permanent teeth as well.
Malocclusion, or problems with teeth alignment, tends to start early as well. Bringing your child in to see Dr. Cave will provide him an opportunity to keep an eye on how their permanent teeth are coming in and recommend any necessary orthodontic treatments.
Fluoride
Tooth decay is the most common disease in the world, and preventing it requires dedication to good oral hygiene, as well as proper technique. As this can be difficult for children to master, fluoride treatments can help offer them extra protection.
There’s already a small amount of fluoride in the water we drink and most brands of toothpaste. Fluoride makes teeth enamel stronger and more resistant to decay, and a fluoride treatment from the dentist can even help reverse cavities that are just beginning to form.
Sealants
The surfaces of molars have small crevices that can trap food and are difficult to clean, even for adults. Dental sealants are a preventative measure to keep food from getting trapped and causing cavities in these teeth.
Sealants are a thin coating, made of plastic or other material, that is brushed onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth. They typically last for several years before needing to be reapplied. Dental Sealants are a safe and easy treatment that has proven extremely effective in preventing tooth decay on molars.
Children tend to get their first molars around age six, and the second set around age twelve. We recommend sealing these teeth to keep them cavity-free.
Mouthguards
For children in sports, keeping their mouth and teeth protected from injury is important. The best way to do this is with a mouthguard custom-made specifically for their teeth.
Home Care and Important Ages
When caring for babies, you should gently wipe their gums and any teeth they have with a damp washcloth after each feeding.
Around age two, when more teeth are present, it’s time to start establishing a tooth-brushing routine. Always use a soft-bristled brush and just a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Your child will need your help and supervision with this but should be capable of brushing their teeth on their own by age six.