Healthy Kids, One Smile at a Time
Regular dental check-ups are really important for keeping your child’s smile healthy. By going to the dentist on a regular basis, we can catch any dental problems early and take care of them before they become bigger issues.
The team at Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry believes in preventing problems instead of just fixing them later. When you come in for a check-up, we’ll carefully check your child’s teeth and gums to make sure everything is in good shape.
Dental Cleanings & Exams
Regular dental exams and cleanings play a crucial role in your child's oral health. These routine visits provide a proactive approach to preventing dental problems and keep your kids’ smiles shining bright. Here's why dental exams and cleanings are so important:
- Detecting Problems Early: Regular check-ups allow our experienced dental team to identify any potential issues in their early stages. This means we can address problems like tooth decay, gum disease, or orthodontic concerns before they become more serious and require extensive treatment.
- Preventing Tooth Decay: Dental cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup, which are the leading causes of tooth decay. By cleaning your child's teeth thoroughly, we help prevent cavities and keep their smile healthy and cavity-free.
- Promoting Optimal Oral Health: Dental exams go beyond just looking for cavities. Our dentists will assess the overall health of your child's teeth, gums, and jaw, ensuring everything is in proper alignment and functioning well. By maintaining optimal oral health, we set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
What Happens During My Child's Professional Cleaning?
The friendly Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry team creates a warm and welcoming environment to help your child feel comfortable and at ease during their dental cleaning.
Cleaning & Polishing
Our skilled Philadelphia and Cherry Hill hygienists will gently and thoroughly remove plaque and tartar from your child's teeth using specialized dental tools. This process helps eliminate the harmful bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
After cleaning your child’s teeth, we'll polish their teeth using a special paste. This helps remove surface stains and leaves their teeth feeling smooth and shiny.
Hygiene Tips
Our dental professionals will also provide valuable oral hygiene tips and techniques to help your child maintain a healthy smile at home. We'll guide them on proper brushing and flossing techniques, the importance of a balanced diet, and the role of fluoride in dental health.
Thorough Examination
Following the cleaning, our dentist will perform a comprehensive dental exam. They will carefully examine your child's teeth, gums, and oral tissues, checking for any signs of decay, gum disease, or other potential concerns.
If necessary, we may recommend additional treatments or preventive measures tailored to your child's specific needs. By prioritizing regular dental exams and cleanings, you’re giving your child the gift of an amazing smile.
Our caring team at Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry makes each visit enjoyable, educational, and empowering for your child. Let us partner with you in ensuring their smiles remain bright and healthy for years to come.
Keeping Cavities at Bay
Fluoride treatment is a simple but powerful dental procedure that’ll go a long way toward protecting your child's teeth from cavities.
During treatment, the dentist will apply a special fluoride solution or gel to your child's teeth. It quickly absorbs into the enamel, making the teeth stronger and better able to fight off decay.
Dentists have been using fluoride treatment for a long time, and it's recommended by dental experts worldwide. The amount of fluoride used is carefully controlled to ensure it's both effective and safe.
How Fluoride Treatment Prevents Cavities
Fluoride treatment works in the following ways to prevent cavities:
- Strengthening Enamel: Fluoride interacts with the minerals in the enamel, like calcium and phosphate, and makes them stronger. This process, called remineralization, helps repair the early stages of tooth decay and reinforces the enamel, making it more resistant to future decay.
- Fighting Bacteria: Fluoride interferes with the harmful bacteria in the mouth that produce acids. By inhibiting their ability to make acid, fluoride reduces the risk of enamel erosion and minimizes the chance of cavities forming.
- Boosting Saliva: Fluoride treatment encourages saliva production, which is important for oral health. Saliva contains minerals that help repair the enamel and neutralize acid in the mouth, promoting a healthy oral environment.
Why Does Your Child Need Fluoride Treatment?
Fluoride treatment offers several benefits for your child's dental health. Here's why it's important:
Strengthening Teeth
Fluoride strengthens the tooth enamel, which is the outer protective layer of the tooth. It helps make the enamel more resistant to the acids that can cause cavities, keeping your child's teeth strong and healthy.
Supporting Good Oral Health
Fluoride treatment complements regular brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet. It adds an extra layer of protection to your child's dental care routine, helping them maintain excellent oral hygiene and overall oral health.
Preventing Cavities
Cavities come from acids from bacteria and sugary foods attacking the enamel and creating tiny holes in the teeth.
Fluoride treatment creates a protective barrier on the teeth, making it harder for those acids to cause damage. By reducing the risk of cavities, fluoride treatment helps keep your child's smile cavity-free.
A Clear Picture of Your Child’s Dental Health
Digital X-rays capture detailed images of your child's teeth, jaw, and surrounding structures. They give us valuable insights that help your Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry team assess their oral health and develop effective treatment plans.
Digital X-rays use electronic sensors instead of traditional film to capture images. These sensors transmit the images to a computer, where they’re instantly displayed in high resolution. The result is clear, detailed images that allow our dentists to identify dental issues with greater accuracy.
Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays, so they’re safer for your child. The technology minimizes radiation exposure while still providing the necessary diagnostic information for effective treatment.
Why Dental X-Rays Are Important
Dental X-rays are essential for comprehensive oral care because they:
Detect Hidden Issues
X-rays help our Philadelphia and Cherry Hill team identify dental problems that may not be visible during a regular examination. They can reveal tooth decay, infections, cysts, bone loss, and abnormalities in the jawbone or tooth roots.
By detecting these issues early, we can provide timely treatment and prevent further complications.
Are Dental X-Rays Safe?
Dental X-rays are considered safe, and the benefits they provide far outweigh the minimal risks associated with radiation exposure. Here are some key points to consider:
- Low Radiation Exposure: Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation compared to traditional film X-rays, minimizing the potential risks.
- Protective Measures: Our dental team takes precautions to ensure your child's safety during X-ray procedures. They will use lead aprons and thyroid collars to shield the rest of the body from radiation.
- Risk Assessment: Before recommending X-rays, our dentists consider your child's specific dental needs and medical history. They only prescribe X-rays when they are necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Shielding Teeth From Decay
Sealants are thin, protective coatings your Cobblstone Kids Pediatric Dentistry team applies to the chewing surfaces of your child's back teeth (molars and premolars).
They act as a shield, creating a barrier between their teeth and harmful bacteria, food particles, and acids that can lead to tooth decay.
How Sealants Work
In a quick and painless procedure, Dr. George, Dr. Katie, Dr. Bret, Dr. Tran, Dr. Malay, or Dr. Shah will apply your child’s sealants, which will work in the following ways to protect your child's teeth:
- Smoothing the Surface: Sealants fill in the deep grooves and pits on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, creating a smooth and easy-to-clean surface. This prevents food particles and bacteria from getting trapped, reducing the chance of decay.
- Acting As a Barrier: The sealant material acts as a physical barrier, sealing off the tooth enamel from acids and bacteria that can cause cavities. It forms a protective shield, keeping your child’s teeth safe from decay.
When Should I Get My Child Sealants?
Dr. George, Dr. Katie, Dr. Bret, Dr. Tran, Dr. Malay, and Dr. Shah may recommend sealants as soon as your child's permanent molars and premolars erupt, usually between the ages of 6 and 12.
It's best to apply sealants shortly after the teeth have fully emerged to provide immediate protection.
How Long Do Sealants Last?
Sealants are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper care, they‘ll protect your child's teeth for many years. However, regular dental check-ups are important to monitor the condition of the sealants. If necessary, they can be repaired or reapplied to ensure continued effectiveness.
Preserving Room for Healthy Smiles
Space maintainers hold the space for permanent teeth when a primary (baby) tooth is lost prematurely.
They make sure there’s enough room for the permanent teeth to erupt in their proper positions, preventing potential orthodontic issues.
When Does My Child Need Space Maintainers?
Space maintainers are recommended when your child loses a primary tooth prematurely before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Here are some situations where space maintainers may be necessary:
- Early Tooth Loss: If a baby tooth is lost due to tooth decay, injury, or extraction, and the corresponding permanent tooth is not ready to emerge, a space maintainer may be needed.
- Orthodontic Treatment: In cases where your child requires orthodontic treatment, space maintainers may be used to hold the space for the teeth being adjusted or moved.
- Dental Development Issues: Some children may have dental development issues, such as missing permanent teeth or delayed eruption. Space maintainers can help ensure proper alignment and spacing as their permanent teeth come in.
- Preventing Crowding: Premature tooth loss can lead to nearby teeth shifting and crowding, potentially affecting the alignment of the permanent teeth. Space maintainers help prevent this crowding, promoting a healthier and more balanced smile.
The timing of space maintainer placement is crucial, as early intervention can prevent future dental complications and the need for more extensive orthodontic treatment later on. Our skilled dental team at Cobblestone Kids Pediatric Dentistry will assess your child's specific needs and recommend the appropriate space maintainer if necessary.