PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY FOR KIDS KATY
Avoid Dental-Related Headaches
Your schedule is busy enough as it is. The last thing you need is for your child to develop a toothache or chipped tooth that throws off your routine. Our preventive dentistry services are designed to stop these kinds of headaches before they start, keeping your child’s mouth healthier, while lowering how much you spend on dental care overall—a true win-win! It all starts with a simple dental checkup and cleaning, which you can schedule today on our site or by calling ourKaty pediatric dental office.
Why Choose Wellspring Pediatric Dentistry for Kid’s Preventive Dental Care?
- Led by Award-Winning Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Able to See Children of All Ages, from 0-18
- Pediatric Dentist Fluent in Spanish
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Dental checkups and cleanings give Dr. Mehta and our team the opportunity to examine your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw to make sure everything is in great shape, and they also allow us to build a relationship with them that shows that there is nothing to fear when it comes to dentistry. We never judge a child for the condition of their teeth—we just use these appointments to be proactive and stop many problems before they even start.
Learn More About Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Fluoride Treatment & Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment
Although its incredible tooth protecting benefits were discovered by accident over a century ago, today fluoride treatments are specifically designed to help reduce the formation of cavities by up to 25 percent. In fact, this safe, natural-occurring mineral is frequently added to public water supplies, oral hygiene products, and even during your child’s dental cleaning to help provide an added layer of protection for their growing smile.
Additionally, silver diamine fluoride, or SDF, is a relatively new dental treatment in the United States but can safely and effectively repair cavities without the need for invasive drilling or the use of restorations like fillings.
What is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in many of the foods we already eat, such as leafy green vegetables and certain types of seafood. It can also be found in many water sources including rain, lakes, and creeks.
Fluoride is also a common additive in most toothpaste and public water supplies. Although it can be harmful in extremely large doses, the amount of fluoride you’ll find in most oral hygiene products and tap water doesn’t even come close to that amount.
Small children who ingest toothpaste may experience some indigestion or a stomachache, but this will not likely have any long-term effects unless they’re regularly eating entire tubes!
How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?
Fluoride treatment works by applying the mineral topically via a varnish, gel, or foam that is brushed directly onto their professionally cleaned teeth. It takes just moments to apply, and will instantly begin strengthening the teeth, bonding to the minerals in your child’s enamel such as phosphate and calcium. Over the next 30 to 60 minutes, your child will need to refrain from eating or drinking anything while the fluoride works its magic, but they should be fine to resume their normal diet once complete.
What’s the Difference Between Fluoride and SDF?
In addition to traditional fluoride, Dr. Mehta also offers silver diamine fluoride (SDF) treatment. Silver diamine fluoride is a liquid substance comprised of four parts: silver, water, fluoride, and ammonia. Although it is applied to the teeth in a similar way to regular fluoride, SDF doesn’t just strengthen enamel. When applied directly to the tooth’s surface, it can help stop emerging cavities and prevent new ones from forming, all without needing to remove damaged enamel and replace it with a filling or crown.
Does My Child Need Fluoride Treatment or SDF?
Because fluoride is naturally occurring, there’s a good chance your child already receives some benefit from it by regularly brushing their teeth and drinking tap water. Additionally, their teeth can receive an additional layer of protection with fluoride treatments from Dr. Mehta at their regular checkups.
For children who are experiencing the beginning stages of tooth decay or cavities, silver diamine fluoride may be an effective way to prevent the damage from worsening and ultimately requiring a filling, however this treatment is likely not necessary on teeth that are in good condition. If you are interested in trying SDF instead of a traditional filling, speak to Dr. Mehta at your child’s appointment.
Dental Sealants
If a child is going to get a cavity, it will most likely occur in their back teeth. The molars have deep pits and grooves that can trap bacteria and food particles, plus they are the easiest to miss while brushing (especially for little hands that are still learning). We can place a thin layer of transparent dental plastic over these teeth, essentially creating a shield that will stop decay for the next decade.
Athletic Mouthguards/Sportsguards
Most dental injuries stem from sports-related accidents, and almost all of them could have been avoided if the athlete wore a mouthguard. Rather than forcing your child to deal with a generic guard from the store they will inevitably “forget” or “lose,” we can give them a custom-made appliance that fits so comfortably that they’ll forget they’re even wearing it.
Non-Nutritive Oral Habits
While thumb-sucking is harmless (and adorable) when babies do it, this habit can hamper the development of the teeth if it persists past the age of three or four. Getting a child to stop can be stressful, so we’re happy to offer strategies and be by your side to make this transition as smooth as possible. If needed, we can even place an appliance in your child’s mouth that physically prevents them from sucking their thumb which can be easily removed when the time is right.