Authentic Dental Care from a Pediatric Dentist in Darien

A pediatric dentist in Darien is a very important part of every child’s health. It’s essential that your child sees a pediatric dentist at a young age so they can be treated for dental disease and tooth decay early on.

A dental visit for your child should include an oral health exam, routine cleaning and fluoride treatment. These three procedures have a lot of value to a child’s oral health and can help to prevent future dental problems. 

1. Oral Health Exam

The Oral Health Exam is an essential part of pediatric dental care. It helps identify warning signs and habits that need to be addressed through follow-up care with your dentist.

A dentist will assess your teeth, gums, jaw, and mouth for signs of decay and oral cancer. He or she may take X-rays as necessary.

Oral health is closely linked to other aspects of overall health. For example, bacteria in the mouth can affect respiratory and digestive systems.

2. Routine Cleaning

Dental cleanings are essential to keep a child’s teeth healthy and free from decay. A pediatric dentist in Darien can remove plaque, tartar and food residue that’s too difficult for your child to reach with regular brushing or flossing at home.

At the end of their appointment, your child’s teeth may be treated with a fluoride treatment, which helps to strengthen teeth and prevent cavities. They may also be given dental sealants, which prevent tooth decay in the grooves and fissures of their molars.

3. Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens teeth and prevents tooth decay. It is commonly added to city water, toothpaste, and many other dental products.

It helps the body use minerals like calcium and phosphate more effectively and restores those minerals to tooth enamel (outer coating) where they have been stripped away by acids that form when bacteria eat sugars and starches in food and drinks.

The benefits of topical fluoride are greatest during tooth development, when it penetrates the outer surface of your child’s teeth to strengthen their enamel. The treatment can help protect against tooth decay in children who have slow saliva production and are prone to dental caries.

4. Sealants

Sealants protect the hard outer surface of children’s teeth from decay. They’re applied to permanent molars (usually the first molars, which come in at age six) by a dentist or hygienist and are highly effective at preventing up to 80% of cavities for two years after application.

A Cochrane review published in August cites several studies showing that children with dental sealants have significantly lower rates of cavities than those without them.

This is because bacteria are less likely to build up in the grooves and pits of a child’s teeth. In fact, a toothbrush cannot reach these deep grooves and can’t remove all of the food and plaque that can cause tooth decay.

It’s also a good idea to protect your child’s teeth with a healthy diet, a regular brushing schedule, and fluoride treatment. These are all excellent ways to prevent tooth decay and keep your child’s smile looking great!

5. Tooth Extractions

A dentist can remove teeth if they’re damaged, crowded, or too infected to be restored. They may also be removed to make room for dental prosthetics, such as braces or implants.

A tooth extraction is a common dental procedure that can be painful but worth it for relieving pain and improving oral health. Extractions can prevent future problems, such as dental caries and gum disease, from developing.

Before the extraction, your dentist will numb the area using local anesthesia. The dentist or oral surgeon will then remove the tooth by hand or with a tool called forceps.

For more information on a reliable and trustworthy pediatric dentist in Darien, be sure to visit the rest of our website for a complete list of services. If you have any additional questions or want to schedule your next appointment, give us a call today at 203-202-7610.