As a parent, you already know that keeping track of a toddler can be quite the challenge. Trying to get them to take care of their teeth can be especially difficult at times, especially when their new favorite word is “No!” At The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to offer compassionate, quality care that can keep up with toddlers. We’re happy to provide all the specialized treatments and unique services your little one’s precious smile needs as it grows. If you have questions or concerns about your child’s oral health, or if you’d simply like to schedule and appointment, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
Excellent dentistry for toddlers in Garland starts early in life! As their teeth start to come in, we recommend you begin bringing them in for routine dental checkups and teeth cleanings every six months. During these appointments, we’ll examine their teeth, gums, and jaw to monitor their oral development. Then, one of our talented hygienists will give them a gentle but thorough teeth cleaning that leaves your little one’s smile gleaming and refreshed! We’ll also take the time to teach your child a few basics about caring for their oral health and answer all your questions as well.
It’s no secret that children aren’t experts at keeping their teeth cavity-free as they learn to brush and floss on their own. Thankfully, dental sealants can protect the most vulnerable areas of their teeth from decay as they practice. We can simply paint on a thin layer of sealant over the chewing surfaces of the molars. It only takes a short amount of time for it to dry and harden into a barrier that keeps out food particles, acids, plaque, and bacteria.
If your child has any cavities, we can use a silver diamine fluoride treatment to stop the spread of the bacteria that’s breaking down the enamel. This quick and easy application effectively contains the decay, kills the harmful bacteria, and strengthens the enamel all at the same time. It’s the most comfortable and conservative way to protect teeth with cavities until a more permanent restoration can be placed.
When it comes to treating cavities, the safest and most esthetically-pleasing option is a tooth-colored filling. We’ll use a composite resin that mimics the color of your little one’s teeth to repair the decayed tissue. Unlike traditional silver fillings, these fillings are made of a safe, biocompatible, and 100% metal-free material that can blend in seamlessly with the rest of your child’s smile.
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped caps that are designed to fit snugly over the top of a tooth. This common restoration is usually used to strengthen and hold together teeth that have been weakened or damaged. At The Dental Specialists Pediatric Dentistry, we’re proud to offer beautiful, custom-made metal-free dental crowns. Not only do these restorations protect against further damage and restore the tooth’s function, but they make it look like nothing was ever wrong with it in the first place.
While most baby teeth will have no problem falling out on their own, some may need a little extra help from your skilled Garland pediatric dentist. We may recommend the extraction of a baby tooth to make room for the permanent one underneath and ensure that it can come in correctly. An extraction may also be the best choice for teeth that are so damaged or decayed that they can’t be repaired.
Typically, cavities only affect the outermost layer of enamel on a child’s tooth. However, if one is left untreated for a long time, the decay can continue to spread and reach the sensitive nerve tissue underneath, which can be quite painful. Pulp therapy is a proven method that can quickly relieve pain without impacting the function of the tooth. Once we’ve numbed the area, we’ll simply remove the infected portion of the pulp. All the healthy tissue will be left untouched so the tooth can continue to develop normally.
It’s not uncommon to see a toddler sucking their thumb or a pacifier. However, if these non-nutritive habits continue for too long, it can begin to influence how their teeth come in, how their bite forms, and other aspects of their oral development. We know that breaking these habits can be quite stressful for kids and parents alike, so you never feel embarrassed about asking for help. We’d be more than happy to share proven strategies that focus more on positive reinforcement than punishment to help you and your little one through the process.