Pediatric Treatments
WHAT WE DO
The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a pediatric dentist before their first birthday. At this visit, the parent will hold the baby while the doctor checks the health and development of the baby's teeth and mouth.
The doctor will then talk with the parent about the exam findings and answer any questions about the baby's oral health and how to best ensure the baby's continued healthy growth and development.
Understanding The Basics
Dental sealants consist of a clear, liquid dental resin that is applied directly to your child’s teeth. When it’s hardened using an ultraviolet (UV) light, the resin hardens into a durable, strong barrier that helps prevent cavities from forming on your child’s teeth.
Essentially, dental sealants add an extra layer of protection onto your child’s enamel. They prevent the direct contact of oral bacteria, acid, and food particles with your child’s teeth. This, in turn, helps prevent the formation of cavities.
The Treatment Process
Dental sealants can be applied as part of any regular six-month teeth cleaning at Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry. After your child’s teeth have been cleaned, your hygienist will place a few cotton rolls to their mouth to absorb saliva, and keep the teeth dry.
Then, each tooth is very slightly roughened with acid to prepare for the procedure, and the area is rinsed, and dried again. Then, the sealant will be applied in a liquid form, covering the entire tooth. Once the tooth has been covered, a UV light will be used to harden the resin.
This process will be repeated for each tooth that is getting treatment with sealants. It only takes a few minutes to seal each tooth, and the process is totally non-invasive, so your child will feel comfortable and safe throughout the whole procedure.
Why Dental Sealants
Dental sealants protect against 80% of cavities in the first 2 years after application and 50% of cavities in the first four years. Dental sealants are an effective and worthy investment in your child’s oral health because the procedure is very fast, painless, and affordable.
Even if your child practices good oral hygiene practices such as brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing each day, it is very difficult to thoroughly scrub the grooves on the rear molars. These grooves can trap food particles, leading to plaque buildup and causing bacteria to feed off of left behind sugars to produce acids that attack tooth enamel and lead to cavities.
Sealants create a smoother surface on these teeth to allow for a more thorough removal of food particles and bacteria. The sealant also acts as a protective barrier that does not allow acids or bacterial plaque to penetrate the enamel.
Steps to Follow
If your child is having a dental emergency, there are some basic steps you can take to make sure they get the help they need. First and foremost, contact Clubhouse Paediatric Dentistry and let us know that you are coming in for a same-day appointment. Some dental emergencies, like a knocked-out-tooth, require treatment within 1-2 hours.
The next step you should take is to treat bleeding, if present. You can use clean gauze, paper towels or cotton balls to absorb blood flow, which should mostly stop within 1 hour. You can give your child medicine like Motrin or children’s Tylenol to help with their discomfort. Ice packs can also be applied externally for pain and swelling.
The above steps are all helpful, but not intended for long-term treatment. To get care and ensure your child gets relief from their pain and discomfort, come see Dr. White at Clubhouse Paediatric Dentistry as soon as you can.
Treatment options
When a tooth has fallen out - If your child's tooth has been knocked out, try to find it. Once located, rinse the tooth under lukewarm water without scrubbing it. Next, place it in a cup of milk and bring it with you to your child's dental appointment. We will try to save the tooth, if possible. If not, Dr. White, will discuss options for replacing the tooth.
When a tooth is broken - It is common for children to damage a tooth while playing sports or eating. It is likely the damage will result in the tooth becoming cracked or chipped. As long as the tooth structure remains in place, it can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry. There are multiple ways to restore teeth in UT. Some of which include dental bonding or a dental crown. Both are excellent options that can restore your child's tooth to full functionality and maintain a natural appearance. As an emergency dental facility, we can provide you with information on what your options are and the best way to restore your child's tooth. We can also help your child achieve the goals for his or her smile. To schedule an appointment, call 801-542-0817.
When a tooth is infected - As an emergency dentist, we will assess the situation, inform you of what is infected, and offer the best way to treat it quickly. Our job is to keep your child comfortable, healthy and pain-free. Our patients in West Jordan, UT, trust us to remove infections, while also keeping their teeth and gums in excellent oral health. If we are fixing a general cavity or treating a dental abscess, we will free the patient from infection and pain. Dr. White is an expert at resolving the issue in a way that keeps patients comfortable during any necessary procedures.
Importance of Fillings
In most cases, fillings are the best option for restoring minor cavities. If your child has been complaining about a sore tooth or you notice discoloration or visible pitting on one or more of their teeth, they may have a cavity.
Cavities are a very common problem among kids. About 43% of all kids ages 2 and older have had at least one cavity, and many kids get multiple cavities in both baby teeth and adult teeth.
During the filling process, Dr. Treagan White will remove any damaged or decayed enamel from your child’s tooth, then rebuild it using a special dental composite, restoring the natural shape, function and appearance of your child’s tooth.
The Filling Process
Your child’s filling will only take about an hour at Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry. First, we will gently clean and numb their mouth. Once the treatment area is completely numb, Dr. White will remove any damaged or decayed enamel from the tooth, and clean it to prepare for the filling.
Once your child’s tooth has been prepared, Dr. White will choose a tooth-colored composite filling, and apply it to their tooth layer-by-layer, rebuilding its natural shape. Then, the tooth will be trimmed and sculpted to ensure the filling fits perfectly. Dr. White will check your child’s bite and make any necessary adjustments. Then, the filling will be polished to ensure a seamless appearance, completing the procedure.
Visits to the dentist
Many of our patients ask how frequently their child should visit our office for routine dental care. This is an understandable question since most people associate going to the dentist with visits to stop discomfort or a perceived health issue. Visiting the dentist is a little different. We want to see your child when he or she is not experiencing any problems to help keep it that way. Typically, when plaque and bacteria form on the teeth, your child will not see an immediate problem. When the plaque and bacteria are left on the teeth, your child can develop cavities and gum disease. Even small cavities will not always cause immediate discomfort, making it difficult to judge the condition of your child's mouth at home. This is why you should visit our office twice a year. We can examine your child's teeth, identify issues while they are small and treat them immediately. Our team will also clean your child's teeth in the same visit to prevent gum disease and infections.
The Treatment Process
When you visit our West Jordan, UT office for routine dental care, we will do several things. First, we will examine your child's teeth with a visual inspection. We will look at every single tooth to determine if your child has any tooth decay. We will also look at your child's gums to see if there are signs of gum disease and take images of the mouth to see if there are any infections not visible to the naked eye. If we identify anything, we will discuss a treatment plan with you. Otherwise, we will proceed with cleaning your child's teeth and gums. Depending on your child's age, we will also recommend specific procedures that can prevent future cavities. For example, we often recommend fluoride as part of routine dental care. Fluoride is a mineral that, when placed on the teeth can strengthen them and reduce the risk of getting cavities by 30 percent. If your child tends to get cavities or live in an area of West Jordan that does not have city water, this simple procedure can help your child to stay healthy. As a bonus, getting a fluoride treatment is painless and fast.
Routine care at home
Routine dental care must also include good oral hygiene at home. At Clubhouse Pediatric Dentistry, we recommend that your child brush his or her teeth with a soft toothbrush for two minutes at a time, twice per day. You should purchase a new toothbrush for your child every three months, have your child brush with fluoride toothpaste, and have your child make circular motions during the brushing. Follow this up with flossing once a day, drinking water and avoiding foods that are high in sugar. This will help your child's teeth to remain strong and healthy in between dental visits.