Preventive Dental Care for Children

Preventive Dental Care

for Children

Our goal through preventive dentistry is to ensure that your child establishes a healthy, strong foundation for a beautiful set of permanent teeth to emerge!

Commitment to excellent oral health begins with preventive dentistry during childhood, and will continue to benefit your child throughout the rest of their life.

Pediatric Dental Cleaning

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that every childs see a dentist by the time their first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday. During a routine check-up, your child’s teeth will be polished to remove any plaque build-up or tartar.

Teeth cleanings are just as important for baby teeth as they are for permanent teeth!

Comprehensive Oral Evaluations (Routine Exams)

During routine exams, we assess your child’s teeth and gums and discuss the best techniques for at-home dental hygiene. Preventive dentistry starts with instructing patients and parents in proper brushing and flossing techniques. We do this at every visit! If the child’s teeth exhibit decay or other problems requiring further treatment, your dentist will discuss them with you at this time.

Fluoride Varnish

Fluoride is essentially a vitamin for the teeth! Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making it more resilient. We recommend fluoride treatments after dental cleanings. Can I brush the fluoride off my teeth? You don’t want your child to brush the fluoride varnish off their teeth right away. (We’ll tell you everything you and your child need to know about proper aftercare when you visit us!) Your child should avoid brushing and flossing for 4 to 6 hours after the fluoride varnish. This allows it to set in and strengthen the teeth. Fluoride varnish is safe for children. Only a small amount of fluoride is used, and only a tiny amount of that may be swallowed. This treatment doesn’t hurt, shouldn’t cause any discomfort, and only takes a few minutes.

Dental Sealants for Kids

A dental sealant is a protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars, where four out of five cavities are found! Sealants act as a barrier against food, plaque, and acid. They’re effective for protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth to prevent future cavities from developing.

Sealants have proven to reduce the risk of decay (cavities) by nearly 80% in molars!

Low Radiation X-Rays

We use digital radiographs with less radiation than traditional radiographs. X-rays are needed to diagnose and treat issues in-between and inside teeth as well as below the gum-line. A clinical exam alone cannot see the areas of a tooth that a radiograph can!

Child dental x-rays enable us to get a clear picture of your child’s dental development. We can assess jaw bone health, tooth roots and the underlying dental structure to ensure that everything is developing properly and healthily.

Have questions about our preventive dental care for children?

We’re here to answer your questions, and we want you and your child to know your options! Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time.

Dr. Sierra, Dr. Kwon, Dr. Pettit and our team are here to help guide you and your child. We offer kinder, gentler dentistry for kids and teens. It is our goal that your child develops and maintains a positive association with dental care and we do everything we can to create a pleasant, supportive, and fun environment for our little patients.

Ready to schedule an appointment? Let’s get started. Visit us in Town & Country, South Tampa, North Tampa or Bradenton!