Cavities are unfortunately very common in children, but luckily, regular dental care can make them much less likely to occur. Has it been more than six months since your child’s last dental appointment? Make sure their smile stays safe and healthy by scheduling a visit at Woodland Pediatric Dentistry today for children's preventive dentistry in East Cobb.
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend a child be seen every six months for a routine dental examination, teeth cleaning, fluoride application, and dental X-rays if indicated. We not only monitor each child for cavities, but also assess their dental growth and development, discuss habit cessation, check for any current or future orthodontic needs, and look for any signs of disease in the hard and soft tissues of the mouth.
Every child is unique, therefore their dental needs and treatment will be tailored to them accordingly. At Woodland Pediatric Dentistry, we want to be your family’s resource for dental concerns and oral health information. Our goal is to establish trust and confidence with our patients and their families that will last a lifetime.
Dental X-Rays
Dental X-rays are taken when additional information that cannot be obtained just by looking in the mouth is needed, such as when the back molars are in contact and the dentist cannot examine the whole tooth. This typically occurs at around age 3 or 4, but in some children, it happens even earlier.
We utilize digital X-rays, which use 90% less radiation than traditional X-rays. Digital dental X-rays also provide us with immediate images to quickly diagnose hidden problems as well as a much lower level of radiation exposure to your child.
We also follow the recommendation of taking a full mouth “Panoramic” radiograph initially at about age 5 or 6 to evaluate growth and development, check for the presence of permanent teeth/missing teeth/extra teeth, and rule out any pathology. Panoramic X-rays are recommended every 3 years as your child grows to evaluate the eruption of permanent teeth, canines growth, and eventually the “wisdom teeth” during the teenage years. X-rays are an essential part of diagnostic and preventive dentistry services, and a full comprehensive dental exam in Sandy Springs cannot be completed without them.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in water, soil, many different foods, and dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, gels, varnishes, and supplements. When fluoride is used in small amounts on a routine basis along with a healthy diet and good oral hygiene, it can help prevent tooth decay. Fluoride’s mechanism of action is remineralization of the enamel, which is the strengthening of weakened enamel (due to acid production by bacteria), thus decreasing the chance of tooth decay. The use of fluoride has been proven safe and effective if utilized in the correct amount and frequency.
At-Home Fluoride Use: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), fluoride toothpaste is recommended to reduce cavities in children. Children less than 3 years old should use no more than a smear or rice-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Children aged 3-6 years old should use no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride mouth rinse is recommended for children of age 6 or older who can spit and who are at high risk for dental cavities.
In-Office Topical Fluoride Varnish: Fluoride varnish is a treatment that is offered at Woodland Pediatric Dentistry during a child’s dental checkup. The fluoride varnish is painted on the teeth after the child’s teeth are cleaned. Fluoride varnish has a higher concentration of fluoride than is found in toothpaste.
At Woodland Pediatric Dentistry we discuss your child’s individual risk factors for dental decay and the fluoride application recommendation as well as the at-home fluoride application that best benefits your child.
Dental Sealants
The application of dental sealants is often recommended for permanent molars. Dental sealants are a protective white or clear coating resin that is placed on the pits and grooves of the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help prevent cavities. Sealants help stop food and bacteria from getting trapped inside the tooth crevices and ultimately prevent cavities in the deep grooves, therefore making them a great preventive tool in pediatric dentistry.
Sealants don’t last forever and can dislodge if good oral hygiene is not practiced. Avoiding sticky food, chewing gum, and ice will also help prolong the life of sealants.
Nutritional Counseling
Essential to both overall health and oral/dental health is having a healthy, balanced diet. Children with a diet that is high in carbohydrates or drinks with high sugar content have an increased risk for dental decay. In addition, sticky foods such as candy, dried fruits, and gummy vitamins also put your child at a higher risk of developing cavities.
Children’s nutritional habits are also subject to change as they grow and develop a stronger social life in school or in after-school gatherings. As part of your child's routine dental examination in Marietta, we will analyze your child’s diet at each visit and discuss nutritional alternatives.
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