Children’s Dentistry Sacramento – What You Need to Know
Children’s dentistry can be tricky. While adults tend to dislike the dentist, the same is even more true for children. Children tend to find more discomfort in the dentist’s chair, which often makes simple tasks such as check-ups take longer than they do for adults.
That said, proper dental care starts at a young age, and educating your child as soon as possible on their oral health is essential. This is exactly what children’s dentistry aims to do. Keep reading to learn more about pediatric dentistry and find out where to get the best kid care dental in Sacramento.
What Children’s Dentistry Covers
Pediatric dentistry is the dedication to children’s oral health from infancy to their teen years. Since children begin to develop their baby teeth as soon as six months old and tend to lose those same baby teeth at 6 or 7, it’s essential to start taking care of their teeth and educating them as soon as possible.
Children’s dentistry is meant to educate both you and your child about important dental information, including:
- The causes of tooth decay
- The use of dental sealants
- Proper dental hygiene and diet
- The importance of professional examinations and cleanings
- Fluoride
- And much more!
This should all be done in a child-friendly environment in which your children feel comfortable as soon as they walk through the door. While there are pediatric dentist offices, a variety of dentists offer services to children and accommodate them.
Types of Children’s Dentistry Procedures
There are a variety of treatments and procedures that children’s dentists cover. Here are a few of the most common ones:
- Kids dental exams
- Infant oral health exams
- Preventative oral care, such as fluoride treatments
- Habit practice, such as good brushing and weaning off thumb sucking
- Fillings for cavities and repair of other tooth defects
- Dental crowns
- Diagnosis of oral conditions associated with other diseases, such as diabetes or asthma
Children’s dentistry also involves caring for dental emergencies, such as accidental chipping or knocked-out teeth.
Another essential thing to cover when it comes to kids’ dentistry is the development of their teeth. Once your child’s adult teeth start to develop, it becomes clear whether they’ll need braces. That’s why, in addition, good children’s dentistry involves watching for potential orthodontic problems, and your dentist will discuss with you any need for early treatment.
Let’s talk about one kid’s dental procedure in particular: dental sealants.
What Are Dental Sealants?
Avoiding kids’ tooth decay should be your number one priority. Good oral hygiene practices are the best way to do that, but if you’re looking for an even more effective method, you may want to consider dental sealants.
Dental sealants are a preventative measure for avoiding tooth decay and are very effective. These sealants are applied to the biting surfaces of your child’s teeth, effectively sealing each tooth against decay.
By acting as a protective barrier between the tooth surface and plaque-forming acids and bacteria, dental sealants are a cost-effective method of long-term preventative dentistry. Sealants also help protect teeth from plaque buildup and food particles that brushing and flossing don’t.
Dental sealants are easily applied, with the usual procedure only taking a few minutes. The procedure shouldn’t be too uncomfortable for your child. Sealants are durable and hold up to normal chewing, often lasting several years before a reapplication is needed.
Lastly, dental sealants aren’t just for children. Adults can benefit from this procedure as well.
What to Expect From Your Kid’s First Visit
The first time your kid sees the dentist will be a foreign experience for them, and you must recognize that. They may seem uncomfortable at first due to the unfamiliarity of the process.
Your dentist will give you a choice to accompany your child into the dental room or to wait in the reception area. It may be a good idea to let them go in by themselves to let them get used to it, but do whatever is comfortable for your child.
If no particular problem has brought you in, the first dental appointment your child attends will likely be very short. It will probably involve very little or no treatment at all.
Here’s what you can expect from your child’s first dental appointment:
- Gentle examination of your child’s teeth and gums.
- Take X-rays – if necessary (to reveal decay and check on the progress of your child’s permanent teeth under the gums).
- A simple cleaning of your child’s teeth.
- May apply topical fluoride (to help protect against tooth decay).
Finally, the most important part of the appointment is reviewing with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.
When Should Kids Start Seeing a Dentist?
Kids should start seeing a dentist when they are 2 or 3. However, if a dental problem arises before this age, you should take your kid to see a dentist as soon as possible.
Until your kid starts seeing a dentist, it’s essential to form good habits at home, including brushing their teeth every day and checking for any problems from time to time.
Conclusion: Where to Find Kids Care Dental in Sacramento
If you’re looking for quality kids’ care dental in Sacramento, Arden Dentistry can help. Arden Dentistry is a kid-friendly dental office that accommodates children and makes their experience at the dentist’s office much more enjoyable. We take children of all ages and educate them on proper oral hygiene to ensure that their teeth are always taken care of.
We’ll also schedule a regular dental appointment to ensure a bright future for your child’s smile. Contact us today to book your first appointment.
