Our goal with children is for them to have a great experience in a caring and fun environment. We begin seeing children at age three. For younger children, this appointment is approximately thirty minutes long, while for older children we will need an hour. Parents are always welcome to come into our treatment rooms to observe and participate in their children’s dental care. With children, we have found the most effective method for them to grow to enjoy the dental care they receive is to allow them to progress and accept treatment at their own pace. As a result, we choose not to take a forceful approach when dealing with our youngest patients. During a child’s first visit, the hygienist will do the following:

• Take necessary radiographs
• Perform dental prophylaxis (dental cleaning)
• Perform fluoride treatment, if desired
• Instruct in proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing.

After the hygienist has completed her treatment, the doctor will then come in and perform the following:

• Complete full intra-oral exam
• Assess potential need for orthodontic intervention
• Reinforce proper oral hygiene practices if needed
• Discuss with child and parent any findings and questions.

As with our adult patients, at the completion of the initial visit, reservations will be made for any future treatment needed. Children will then be invited to pick a prize from the prize box to reinforce the positive experience they have enjoyed to this point in their visit. We strive to create a fun and enjoyable atmosphere for children such that they look forward to coming back to our office.

Preventive Care

One particular point of emphasis in our office is helping you understand the causes of dental decay and preventive measures that you can take to help avoid the formation of decay. We will use dietary counseling, videos, and demonstrations to instruct you in these methods of preventing decay. We will also use fluoride treatments and sealants as additional techniques to help deter the development of decay. Preventive care tips:

• Use proper brushing and flossing practices.
• Limit acidic/sugary beverages.
• Eat nutritious meals and snacks.
• Limit frequency of snacks.

The Importance of Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is the proper use of toothbrushes, floss, and other related tools to help prevent the buildup of plaque and calculus in your mouth. Each time you eat, the digestive process begins in your mouth through the mechanical action of chewing and the enzymatic breakdown of the food by saliva. As a result of these two processes, a colorless, sticky film forms and adheres to your teeth at the gum line. This film is called plaque. Plaque is full of bacteria that can cause decay and periodontal disease. Proper oral hygiene will remove this plaque from your teeth, helping to prevent decay formation and periodontal disease. Our office places great importance on oral hygiene, and we will take advantage of any opportunity to discuss this with you.

Periodontal disease is a disease of the tissue surrounding your teeth, including gum tissue, bone, and some of the root structure of the tooth. Periodontal disease usually stems from poor oral hygiene, resulting in the build-up of plaque. When plaque is not removed from your teeth within twenty-four hours, that plaque can harden, calcify, and turn into calculus. Both plaque and calculus have bacteria in them that produce toxins that irritate your gums, resulting in red, swollen gum tissues that can bleed easily. The build-up of calculus can cause the recession of gums and bone structure from around the tooth.