We love kids–and we especially love to see them smile. We also love seeing parents smile when they discover just how happy their kids are with us and how convenient it is to schedule family dental appointments. We start seeing kids as early as one-year-old, with the eruption of their first tooth. We also encourage little ones to come in with their parents or siblings to acclimate themselves and become acquainted with the sounds, sights, and smells of the dental office before any treatment is necessary. This helps dentistry feel safe and fun and reduces fear, stress, and trauma that can keep people out of the dental chair for life.
Prevention and Protection
We want healthy kids, not nervous ones! We take plenty of time talking to kids and their parents, helping them learn how to take care of little teeth at home, make daily hygiene a game, and even advise on how to offer a tooth-healthy diet, in addition to offering pediatric cleanings, Fluoride, sealants, and even, when necessary, pediatric cosmetic care. We also use the SMART technique to get rid of cavities in the most minimally invasive way possible.
We love to see special needs patients of all ages and have received training in how to help keep them comfortable and relaxed as well.
Thorough, Advanced Exams
You’ll notice that our comprehensive exams for children are now even more thorough, as we encourage prevention and acting proactively in order to avoid future issues. This includes:
- Checking for tongue-ties, examining jaw position, and doing an airway assessment
- Asking you about your child’s sleep habits – do they wake up a lot? Do they snore? Do they grind their teeth?
- Working with highly-trained specialists in the area, such as ENT specialists, Chiropractors, sleep specialists, and oral surgeons.
Navigating Through a Treatment Plan…. and Beyond
If your child is experiencing symptoms of sleep disordered breathing, or under-developed jaw issues, we can develop a treatment plan that includes custom-made dental appliances (similar to a nightguard) to encourage nose-breathing and proper tongue alignment. If your child’s permanent teeth aren’t coming in straight, we can also create a custom appliance called a Guided Eruption Device to guide the teeth into the proper position.
Using dental appliances and Myofunctional Therapy to ensure proper breathing techniques and jaw development can possibly eliminate the need for orthodontics, as well as eliminating symptoms like snoring, bedwetting, and having difficulty concentrating in school.
Do you have a concern about your child’s breathing, tooth development, or sleep habits? Give us a call and let us help.
