Pediatric Dentistry
The doctors and team at Midlothian Family Dentistry understand the importance of establishing a dental care routine early in life and are here to develop a path to a lifetime of oral health for both children and their parents. Our practice is built upon providing superior dental services with compassion and exceptional care.
The goal of our team is to create a calm, gentle, and nurturing environment. We want your child to feel comfortable, to have a positive experience, and to feel proud of a job well-done! When you or your family visits us, you are not a patient but instead a member of our family who receives the highest-quality care and treatment. We are always here to answer any questions or address concerns you or your child may have.
Establish Strong Dental Health For Your Infant Or Toddler
As a family practice, we are proud to provide dental care for patients of all ages, including infants and toddlers. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), infants should visit the dentist before the age of one or within six months of their first tooth erupting.
- Developing healthy dental habits that will last a lifetime.
- Preventing bite problems or malocclusion.
- Avoiding tooth decay as soon as your child's permanent teeth come in.
- Establishing a strong, safe and caring relationship between the child and dentist to avoid dental anxiety and fear later in life.
- Improving oral health helps to improve a child's overall health.
During your infant child's first visit we will examine any their developing teeth and discuss at-home care steps, such as how to gently brush their teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush and select an appropriate toothpaste.
Childhood Dentistry Plans Designed To Develop Good Habits
As your child’s primary teeth grow in, it is important to help them learn how to properly brush and floss. Our team will walk you and your child through the basics of oral hygiene to establish good behavior early in life. Just like adults, we recommend children visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and routine cleaning. These checkups will consist of a thorough cleaning, an examination of the teeth and gums, and any suggestions for continuing their dental health. These checkups also allow our doctors to monitor the growth of your child's permanent teeth and identify any potential issues, such as cavities, early.
Family-Friendly Cavity Prevention and Treatment
While proper brushing and flossing will reduce the chance your child has a cavity, they can still occur. Most cavities occur in the back teeth or molars because of the uneven surfaces that allow bacteria to stay in the tooth even after thorough brushing and flossing. Additionally, sugary drinks and snacks can break down your child's enamel, leading to cavities. If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity or pain, it could be a sign they have a cavity. Our team is here to help treat and repair any cavities your child may have and provide tips to prevent future ones.
Protect Your Child’s Teeth With Dental Sealing
To further help prevent cavities, a dental sealant is often applied to protect teeth from a buildup of bacteria or debris. Dental sealants are proven to be both safe and according to the American Dental Association (ADA), they can reduce the risk of cavities by 80%. We recommend applying one after your child's permanent molars are formed, which typically occurs around age five. Ask about treatment options during your child's next appointment and we'll help ensure their teeth are healthy and protected.
Continuing Dental Care For Teens And Early Adults
As your child enters their teenage years and early adulthood, maintaining a proper dental hygiene routine and regularly visiting us for a checkup and cleaning remain important steps in protecting their dental health. During a routine checkup, our dentists will also identify any current or future issues, such as erupting wisdom teeth or misaligned teeth, and provide solutions and treatment options. Whether your teen is an existing patient or a new one, our knowledgeable team is happy to discuss any concerns, such as orthodontics, sports dentistry, and continuing care.
Wisdom Teeth — To Remove Or Not To Remove?
Wisdom teeth typically come in between the ages of 17-21, but the age can vary as everyone is unique. While they can sometimes come in straight and without any complications, wisdom teeth must often be removed to avoid a potentially more harmful issue such as pain, infection, or damage to the gums and surrounding teeth. If you or your child is experiencing discomfort or pain, call our office to schedule a visit so our team can complete an examination. If it is determined that the teeth should be extracted, we will walk you and your child through all extraction options to find what works best for you and educate you about the procedure. Additionally, we will provide thorough post-op steps, each designed to promote a quick recovery and minimize pain.
Correct Alignment Issues With Braces Or Invisalign
As part of our routine checkup, we perform an examination to ensure your teen's teeth are coming in properly and that there aren't any potential alignment issues, such as an underbite or overbite. A misalignment may make teeth and gums more difficult to clean and can lead to issues such as tooth decay or gum disease. We take the time to discuss all orthodontic treatment options, including Invisalign®, Invisalign Teen®, and traditional braces, and go over the pros and cons of each solution to find the best one for your child. Our team is always here to answer any orthodontics questions or concerns you and your family may have.
A Dentistry Practice That Treats You Like Family
Our entire team is dedicated to providing outstanding care to you and your family as if you were a member of our family because, in our opinion, you are. We are invested in the long-term dental health of each of our patients and work with each one to develop a personalized care plan.
If you have any questions or concerns about you or your child's dental care, please give us a call. Our friendly team will provide you and your family with a lifetime of smiles.
FAQs
When should my child have their first dental appointment?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), infants should visit the dentist before the age of one or within six months of their first tooth erupting. We love to see our new newborn patients right around this age!
When should I start to brush my baby's teeth?
As soon as their first tooth appears, typically around six months of age, you should brush their gums and teeth gently with a soft child-size toothbrush and water twice a day.