Preventive Dentistry for Children– Aspen Hill, MD
Helping Small Smiles Thrive
The key to maintaining a healthy, problem-free smile into adulthood is children’s preventive dentistry. This includes any treatments or services that we offer to minimize your child’s risk of developing common oral health problems like cavities and tooth infections. With the proper smile maintenance, you’ll be able to rest-assured that their chances of needing an urgent trip to their children’s dentist will be minimal thanks to preventive dentistry for children in our Aspen Hill, MD dental office.
Why Choose Healthy Kids Dentistry for Preventive Dentistry?
- Friendly Team of Experienced Dentists
- Children’s Sedation Dentistry Available
- We Accept Dental Insurance
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends starting to bring your child in for routine checkups and cleanings by the time their first tooth appears in their mouth. As your child gets older, we’ll conduct a thorough examination of their teeth and gums as well as clean their teeth to prevent oral health problems from developing. During these visits, we’re also happy to answer any questions from parents about oral hygiene or dental habits.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are an excellent way to minimize your child’s risk of cavities if they frequently get them. All we do is brush a clear coating on the biting surface of their molars and harden it using a UV light. Once the process is complete, the sealants will form a protective barrier that prevents plaque and food debris from becoming wedged in the deep pits and grooves of their molars, making it hard to brush and floss away. With these protective, umbrella-like barriers, brushing away harmful substances is easier and more effective.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride is an FDA-approved treatment that helps treat cavities and prevent them from spreading, as well as address dental sensitivity. If your child has a cavity, we’ll clear away any loose debris within the tooth and place a liquid on the decayed portion of the tooth. This will clear all harmful bacteria and help strengthen the tooth to protect it from future threats. Finally, we’ll place a tooth-colored filling on the tooth to seal it off.
Oral Health Risk Assessment
If your child isn’t 100% comfortable with visiting us for routine checkups and cleanings yet, we can conduct a shorter, less daunting oral health risk assessment by examining their mouth to identify any potential concerns or risk-factors. After the assessment is complete, we’ll discuss your child’s risk of common oral health problems, like cavities and misalignment, and speak with you about preventive measures that we recommend being taken.
Teething
Babies typically begin teething between four and six months old, and you’ll know when they start! Typically, parents notice that their little one becomes fussy and cries more than they usually would. Some other tell-tale signs are excessive drooling that can cause a rash to develop on their face and wanting to chew on hard things. Our team can help your baby find some relief by making recommendations on methods to tackle this period of their growth at home!
Non-Nutritive Habits
It’s typical for babies to begin sucking on their thumbs, fingers, pacifiers, and even blankets at a young age to help them feel calm and comforted. Unfortunately, once they get to a certain age, this habit can begin impacting the development of their oral cavity. Our team at Healthy Kids Dentistry can provide you with tips and tricks on how to ween them off of thumb-sucking and reduce their risk of developing severe orthodontic issues when they grow older.
Athletic Mouthguards
If your child participates in hobbies or sports that could put their teeth or jaw at-risk of becoming damaged or injured, then we recommend investing in a customized athletic mouthguard. These are made from a durable acrylic material that your child will be able to comfortably wear as they run, jump, and score on the field or court.