Dental Care Is Different For Child Patients

All About Children’s Dentistry at Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry

Here at our family dentist office in Midlothian, VA, we teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth and that going to the family dentist can be fun. We want to provide the best experience possible, meaning an experience that is calm and inviting.

Dental caries is the most common disease of childhood, affecting nearly half of kids between ages 2 and 11. A third of kids between 9 and 11 develop cavities in their brand new permanent teeth. The biggest factor contributing to childhood tooth decay for kids in Midlothian is sugar. This can begin with baby formula that contains added formula and sugary fruit juices. Even breast milk contains natural sugars that can cause cavities if the residue isn’t cleaned away.

When Should Dental Care Begin?

Dental care should start as soon as the first tooth makes an appearance. A great way to fight childhood caries is to pair good daily oral hygiene with regular checkups with the family dentist. Beginning no later than the first birthday, we recommend regular six-month dental visits, and at a family dental practice like Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry, you can have your appointments right alongside your child. That will help to establish them as a normal routine part of their life for the day when they’re scheduling their own visits!

Important Steps for Child Dental Care

There are a lot of things a parent can do to protect their child’s teeth and gums outside of regular dental visits. With a baby, always rinse their teeth with water or wipe them with a damp cloth after feeding, particularly before they fall asleep. Even the youngest patients can get cavities from milk or formula residue. Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, even if it’s barely poking through the gums. Use a soft-bristled brush and water and ask us about what kind of toothpaste to use, if any. Help your child brush as they get older and keep in mind that small children don’t have the dexterity to do a good job of brushing their own teeth until they’re able to tie their shoes. Avoid giving your child bottles or sippy cups of sugary drinks or milk before bedtime. Water is fine.

• If you do offer your child sugary drinks like soda or juice, have them use a straw to minimize contact with their teeth. Also, limit these drinks to mealtimes instead of letting them sip on them throughout the day. Limit overall sugar consumption.
• 
  

Midlothian, VA’s Premier Children’s Dentist

When you visit our office in Midlothian, VA you’ll feel comfortable and relaxed. Our team is caring and friendly and we work hard to create a welcoming and compassionate atmosphere. With years of experience in family dentistry and working with kids, we’ve developed a wide array of family dentistry services. The services we provide for child patients include:

BPA Free Tooth-Colored Fillings

You may have heard some worrying things about BPA, or Bis-Phenol A, a compound in tooth-colored dental fillings, but don’t go rushing back to silver amalgam just yet. We can leave tooth-colored fillings with BPA and the dangers of mercury poisoning that come with amalgam fillings behind, because there are numerous tooth-colored materials available that are free of BPA.

Interceptive Orthodontics

Certain issues with the bite, dental alignment, and facial development can start to appear long before the last few adult teeth show up. This is where interceptive orthodontics can make a big difference, by correcting these problems early on — which also makes future orthodontic treatment (or phase 2) much faster and easier, and sometimes it is no longer necessary!

Nitrous Oxide for Children

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas commonly referred to as laughing gas. It consists of two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom bonded together. Studies indicate that it reduces a patient’s perception of pain and increases the release of dopamine. Laughing gas is one option to help anxious patients relax and feel comfortable during a dental procedure, or even during a routine dental appointment.

Pit and Fissure Sealant

Typically, sealants are applied to the molars because these teeth are the ones that do the most chewing and have those deep crevices where bacteria can hide. The sealant will fill in and cover any crevices on the tooth to act as a shield from the bacteria. What makes them even better is that the sealant application process is quick and painless!

Space Maintainer

If a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected or their adult tooth is late in erupting, they may benefit from space maintainers to hold the place for the incoming tooth or teeth. Space maintainers are orthodontic appliances that help ensure that adult teeth come in where they should. They can be fixed or removable and they are custom-made for each child.

Our Dentists Can Help With Your Family Dentist Needs

If you’re looking for a great dentist for your child for simple checkups and to help you instill good dental habits in them, our dentists are just the ones you’ve been looking for. The whole team at Virginia Center for Advanced Dentistry is excited to meet you and your child! Give us a call at [phone] or email us to set up your first appointment. You can also learn more about us through our business page, and make sure to check the map before you head our way!