Dr. Morgan Chambers is a family dentist. She provides dental services for families and children in our Lexington dentist office, Complete Dentistry For All Ages. Family dentistry is both convenient and beneficial for establishing good oral hygiene routines at an early age. Preventive care and minimally-invasive dental treatments are the main focus of our children’s dentistry program.
Preventing Tooth Cavities in Children
You can prevent tooth cavities in your children with proper oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Regular brushing, flossing, and the use of fluoride treatments are essential for preventing cavities in young children.
Tooth cavities are as common in young children as they are in adults. Understanding how to prevent tooth decay is the key to maintaining a healthy smile. Dr. Chambers, Dr. Freano and our dental staff take time to show patients how to best maintain and improve their dental health.
Teaching the youngest patients how to brush and floss effectively is an important part of routine preventive dental care. The foundation of their lifelong dental health depends on it. For example, a healthy diet with limited added sugars can go a long way. It can reduce the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Be sure your child drinks plenty of water during and after meals to rinse sugars and food debris from their teeth and gums. Visit Dr. Chambers twice a year for checkups, dental cleanings, and preventive treatments that will keep their teeth strong and healthy as they grow.
Pediatric Dental Services in Lexington, KY
Our family dentistry offers comprehensive pediatric dental services to meet the needs of children and their families. We understand that children have unique dental needs and require special attention. Our team of experienced dentists provide the highest quality care with a gentle touch.
From preventive care to restorative treatments, we strive to provide the best possible outcome for your child’s oral health. Our family dental services focus on disease prevention. We will work with you and your child to make sure that your family receives the best care possible in Lexington, KY.
- Teeth cleaning
- Tooth bonding
- Digital x-rays
- Dental sealants
- White fillings
- Custom sports mouthguards
- Orthodontic consultations
From “Baby” To Permanent: Keeping Your Kids’ Teeth Healthy
One of the most important challenges of parenthood is ensuring that your child receives the best medical care he or she needs. Not just during childhood but, ideally, all the way through adulthood so that they can to lead a healthy life. It’s not just a health-related challenge ether!
As a parent, you know how important it is to establish behaviors early on that can set the stage for a lifetime of success. Many times, parents find themselves flying by the seat of their pants. Some may not understand the best way to lay that critical groundwork, but are doing their best just the same.
Other times, you’re fortunate enough to have a resource to guide you. Sometimes it’s an experienced parent, sometimes it’s a professional who understands your needs and the needs of your child. We can provide solid dental advice that can help you reach your goals.
Our dental care team provides care for children. From the moment they develop those first, all-important baby teeth, right up through adolescence and into adulthood. We provide a continuum of care that evolves with your child. We also provide resources for parents who want to make sure they take the right steps for their child’s good dental health.
Tips For Parents
In a nutshell, here are a few of the points you should consider when helping your child maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Begin when they’re babies. Caring for that gummy, toothless mouth may not seem too terribly important when there aren’t any teeth. But keeping gums clean serves two important purposes. It removes plaque-causing bacteria that can harm tiny teeth when they first emerge. It also helps your child learn and adjust to proper oral care right from the beginning.
- Teach your child the right way to brush their teeth. Lots of parents worry about the “best kind of toothpaste”. The fact is, pretty much any paste that contains fluoride will do. What’s more important is to teach your child how to brush properly and how often to brush.
- Start visiting the dentist at a young age. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends your child see the dentist by age one. This helps you make sure their teeth are developing properly. Starting young also helps reduce anxiety and makes dental visits “just routine”, rather than a scary experience to dread.
- What about braces? Whether your child needs braces and at what age they need orthodontic treatment depends a lot on how your child’s teeth are developing. We work with kids as young as five years of age all the way up into their teens.
We keep their teeth properly aligned for better function and greater self-esteem. Ideally, having braces while the jaw is still forming is the best way to get the most effective results. Products like Invisalign make treatment a lot easier – and more tolerable – than in the past.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Only you can teach them how to maintain a great smile and healthy teeth for the rest of their lives. If you’re like most parents, you have lots more questions about your child’s dental care.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Do you have remaining questions about family dental care? Read the following answers to frequently asked questions about this field of dentistry.
How do I make my child’s diet safe for his teeth?
A child’s diet has a direct effect on their teeth and oral health. Be sure that your child is getting the nutrients they need on a daily basis. Children should avoid eating too much sugary foods and candy, soda, sports drinks, and chips. They should also learn that chewing ice and on their nails is bad for their oral health.
What should I use to clean my baby’s teeth?
Most parents start cleaning their children’s teeth with a soft cloth. They also use a soft-bristled toothbrush and water. You can begin to brush with a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste when they are around 18 months to 2 years old. Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste, rather than swallow it.
What procedures do pediatric dentists most commonly practice?
Pediatric dentists typically practice the same procedures as general dentists. Some of the most common procedures are crown placement, fillings, cleanings, fluoride treatment, cavity detection, and extractions. The main difference between a pediatric dentist and a general dentist is that pediatric dentists will refer children who need more extensive treatment to a general dentist.
Pediatric dentists have unique training in the care of children and infants that you do not find in general dentists. These include the knowledge of dental care needs for specific age groups. It also involves an increased focus on oral health education for parents and caregivers.
What excess training do pediatric dentists receive that general dentists do not?
Pediatric dentists undergo extra training to learn to work with children. Pediatric dentists receive 4 years of dental school, with an added 2 years of residency training. They learn how to provide oral health specifically to children between infant age up to teenage years.
The pediatric dentist is also the most qualified dental professional to perform basic oral surgery on children. This includes tooth extractions and tooth root canals.
Schedule a Family Dental Exam Today
Give Complete Dentistry For All Ages a call at 859-251-3809 and set up a dental evaluation for your child. We’re ready to help your child establish healthy behaviors that can help your family enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.