Teeth Cleaning

It is important that your child receives regular dental cleanings to prevent plaque buildup and oral diseases. Children are at a higher risk for developing tooth decay, so monitoring this and cleaning children’s teeth can prevent serious and permanent issues. During a routine dental exam and cleaning, your child may receive dental x-rays, have an exam performed to determine the current health of your child’s teeth and mouth, and then receive a cleaning.

Dental Emergencies

Our office is available for dental emergencies throughout the week and Saturdays (during the school year).  We take dental emergencies with kids very seriously and will ensure the best care is provided at Smile First Pediatric Dentistry!

Dental Crowns

Our young patients may require a filling or a crown depending on the severity of a cavity, tooth decay, or chipped tooth.  A filling is used to patch a small spot of a tooth when a cavity has been removed and can be more cost effective.  A crown (or a cap) although more costly, provides more protection to the tooth once treated.  Talk to your child’s dentist if a filling or a crown are needed.  We will discuss the best approach for your child.

Sedation Dentistry

We provide sedation treatments, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or general anesthesia, to address a wide range of anxiety experienced when visiting the dentist.  Following the use of sedation treatment, our dental team may request that your child remain after their appointment to monitor them.

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a coating that serves as protection for your child’s teeth to help prevent decay.  One of the more common places we see tooth decay starting are the molars, where there are bumps and grooves that trap food and bacteria.  Sealants are especially important for our little ones who have a difficult time managing a toothbrush back in those hard-to-reach places.

Tooth Extractions

The prevention of pain for our patients is contingent on the preferences of the parents, your child’s age and health, as well as the preferences of the dentist. Our dentists will frequently use a flavored topical numbing cream, but sometimes they will need to administer a shot. In the event that your child requires general anesthesia, we will go through all of the pertinent information with you. We will make it a priority to discover a way to regulate the pain while preventing unnecessary use of painkillers.

Digital Dental X-Rays

Dental X-Rays help identify:

• Tooth abscesses or cysts
• Bone loss
• Tumors, both cancerous and non-cancerous
• Decay between teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Problems inside a tooth and below the gum line

Nitrous Oxide/Laughing Gas

Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a useful sedative that is often given to children who are nervous about going to the dentist. It is usually said if your child has “butterflies in his/her stomach.” Nitrous oxide is a gas made by mixing oxygen with nitrogen. It is very safe and doesn’t cause allergies.

Braces for Kids

Smile First Pediatric Dentistry can identify by the age of 7 whether or not a child’s teeth are coming in crooked or crowded, and treatment can begin at that time. If early treatment is suggested, the doctor can administer pediatric dental therapy to begin addressing abnormalities. This can cut down on the amount of time needed for braces later on, and in some cases, it can even remove the need for braces altogether.

Space Maintainers

In most cases, a child’s baby tooth will stay in their mouth until the adult tooth grows in and forces it out. On the other hand, a child’s baby tooth could fall out early if the child has an accident or has a cavity. When this occurs, it is vital to ensure that the gap that is created by the missing baby tooth is not filled up.

Fluoride Treatment

The American Academy of Pediatrics says that all children should get fluoride treatment as soon as their first tooth comes out to prevent tooth decay and dental infections in the future. There are several fluorides that can be put on the skin, but the varnish is the best choice for kids.

Dental Fillings for Kids

Tooth-Colored Fillings are an option for kids who need to fill cavities or fix stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth without making the fillings stand out. Tooth-Colored Fillings are hard to notice because they are the same color as your natural teeth. This is why many parents choose this type of filling for their kids to keep their smiles looking great.