Pediatric Dentistry
What Is Pediatric Dentistry?
A kid’s first dental appointment should ideally be after turning a year old or within six months of their first tooth’s arrival. Because even young children can get decay, it is vital to visit the dentist regularly. At Sedro-Woolley Family Dental Center, we provide comfortable treatments as well as instruction for parents on good oral practices for their children to prevent oral problems.
Here are some of the pediatric services that we offer:
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Dental Cleaning and Exam
When doing dental exams, we examine all the teeth in a child’s mouth properly. Dental cleaning is where plaque, tartar, and staining are removed to prevent cavities and make their teeth shine. The cleaning is an opportunity to help parents understand where improvements can be made in their child’s home care routine. If we identify troublesome spots, we will address the concerns before they become cavities.
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Pediatric Crowns
A dental crown may be needed to fix a tooth weakened by severe decay. It can help protect the tooth and hold it together. Crowns can also restore teeth that are cracked or fractured. Different crown materials and options will be discussed to help you decide the appropriate restoration for your child.
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Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is a naturally present mineral in teeth. It helps to prevent cavities and fight decay. As young children’s teeth are more prone to cavities, a fluoride application can help safeguard their pearly whites.
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Dental Sealants
Dental Sealants are used to fill in the deep pits and grooves on the biting surfaces of teeth. This prevents tooth decay development in those areas. Sealants can help to keep your child’s teeth healthy for a long time, aided by correct brushing and flossing.
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Tooth-Colored Fillings
We use tooth-colored fillings to fix cavities that may be barely visible. These fillings can help conceal minor impairments of the teeth.
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Pulpotomy
Pulpotomy is a treatment performed to save a tooth that is becoming infected. This keeps infection from spreading deeper and destroying the tooth. The procedure involves placing medicine deep into the tooth and covering it with a filling or crown.
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Space Maintainers
Space maintainers are utilized when children lose their primary teeth early. This may be caused due to trauma or when teeth cannot be repaired due to extreme decay or infection. When a tooth is missing, the neighboring teeth will shift to fill in the space. And this may result in spacing and alignment issues when the adult teeth start to grow. A space maintainer helps fill in the area created by the missing tooth. It is removed when the permanent tooth begins to emerge.
Call us at Sedro-Woolley Family Dental Center in Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284 at (360) 855-0351, and schedule a consultation if you have any queries about our pediatric services.
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Pediatric Dentistry Treatment Options
As parents, we endeavor to make sure our child grows up with the best oral health and a robust, healthy smile. Even with good home hygiene, decay and traumatic injuries can occur and affect the integrity of a primary tooth.
Pediatric dental sealants prevent bacteria and food particles from settling on the pit and fissures of the teeth. Applying sealants, when done alongside fluoride treatments, can provide maximum protection against tooth decay. At Sedro-Woolley Family Dental Center, we provide complete protection for your child’s teeth against cavities and recommend placing dental sealants over their teeth.
Fluoride is a natural mineral that is present in water and many foods. While your child will obtain some fluoride from their diet and fluoridated toothpaste as they brush, a professional fluoride treatment can help strengthen their tooth enamel to prevent tooth decay. At Sedro-Woolley Family Dental Center, we offer fluoride treatment to make your child’s teeth more robust and cavity-free.
Pulpotomy is a restorative procedure that is often performed on the primary teeth of children. When decay or damage reaches the pulp, the tooth’s innermost layer, children experience tooth pain and sensitivity. If not treated promptly, the tooth will develop an abscess that eventually requires extraction.
A child may lose a baby tooth even before their adult teeth are supposed to grow in. While at that moment, it might not seem like a significant problem, but it can lead to more problems if not appropriately maintained. Devices called space maintainers can allow their adult teeth to erupt unhindered.