When Should Children have their first Dental Visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) suggests that parents should make an initial “well-baby” appointment approximately six months after the emergence of the first tooth, or no later than the child’s first birthday.
Although this may seem surprisingly early, the incidence of infant and toddler tooth decay has been rising in recent years. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications.
Dr. Be will provide comprehensive oral health care for a child that will follow them into their teenage years. Some of the services vary slightly from adult dental care, but still just as important.
Sealants
What are dental sealants?
Dental sealants are plastic coatings that are usually placed on the chewing surface of the permanent back teeth to help protect them from decay.
Why are dental sealants placed on teeth?
The chewing surfaces of the molar and premolar teeth have grooves and pitted areas that make them vulnerable to decay. These areas can be deep and difficult to clean, causing cavities to develop. Dental sealants provide extra protection for the grooved and pitted areas by providing a smooth surface covering over the these areas.
Fluoride varnish provides extra protection against tooth decay when used in addition to brushing. Fluoride varnish is a pale yellow gel that sets quickly when applied to children’s teeth using a soft brush. The varnish sets quickly, has a pleasant taste and a fruity smell.
Dr. Be offers fluoride varnish application at least twice yearly from the age of two. This is applied to teeth at the dental practice by a member his dental team.
Stainless Steel Crown
A stainless steel crown is an extremely durable restoration use in primary teeth typically following a pulpotomy/pulpectomy; for teeth with developmental defects or large carious lesions involving multiple surfaces where an amalgam filling is likely to fail; and for fractured teeth.
A space maintainer is an appliance that is custom-made in acrylic or metal material. It can be either removable or cemented in a child’s mouth. One of the key functions that baby teeth perform is acting as placeholders for the set of permanent teeth that will replace them. If a baby tooth is lost early and adequate steps are not taken to preserve the space it occupied, problems may develop. Depending on the child’s current stage of dental development, this can include the misalignment, or even impaction, of permanent teeth.
A pulpectomy is required when the entire pulp is involved (into the root canal(s) of the tooth). During this treatment, the diseased pulp tissue is completely removed from both the crown and root. The canals are cleansed, medicated and in the case of primary teeth, filled with a resorbable material.
Nitrous
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas,” is an option that may be offered to help make you more comfortable during certain procedures. It is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. It is not intended to put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions Dr. Be may have for you.
