As a family dentist, Dr. Morgan Chambers provides dental services for 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 educate patients on their dental health and how to best maintain and improve it.
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. A healthy diet with limited added sugars can go a long way toward reducing 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 the 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. With our commitment to education and 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 (and often confusing) challenges of parenthood lies in ensuring your child receives the best medical care he or she needs to lead a healthy life. Not just during childhood but, ideally, all the way through adulthood.
It’s not just a health-related challenge: As a parent, you know how important it is in every area of life 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, not really understanding the best way to lay that critical groundwork, but 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 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’ll need to 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: Lots of parents get hung up on the “best kind of toothpaste”. The fact is, pretty much any paste that contains fluoride will do. The most important thing 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 to make sure teeth are developing properly. Starting young also helps reduce anxiety. Establish dental visits as “just routine” rather than a scary experience to dread.
- What about braces?: Whether your child needs braces and at what age is most appropriate to have 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. If you’re like most parents, you have lots of other questions about your child’s dental care and the role you can play in helping them maintain a great smile and healthy teeth for the rest of their lives.
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. It is important to be sure that your child is getting the nutrients they need on a daily basis. Children should avoid 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 child’s teeth with a soft cloth. They also may use a soft-bristled toothbrush and water. Around 18 months to 2 years old, you can begin to brush with a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste. 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 typically refer children who need more extensive treatment to a general dentist.
Pediatric dentists have some unique considerations 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, and 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 excess training in order to learn to work with children’s oral health. They are required to receive 4 years of dental school, with an added 2 years of residency training dealing with the oral health of children between infant age up to teenage years. The pediatric dentist is the most qualified dental professional to perform oral surgery on children. This includes 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 work with you and your child to establish those healthy behaviors that can help your family enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.