Dental Care for Kids
Preventative Pediatric Dental Visits
Do you know that tooth decay is the number-one preventable childhood disease? Prevention begins with good dental habits, the right diet and regular visits to the dentist at a very early age.
Infants
0 to Year One
Our goal is to help you and your child establish good dental habits and reduce the risk of cavities early on. This is a very informal, one-on-one visit with Dr. Lewis, in which she examines your child’s mouth while you hold your child in your lap.
Dr. Lewis will also talk to you about the teething process, pain-relief remedies, proper brushing techniques and diet choices that can impact dental health.
We see your toddler as a cavity free young adult and we try to give you the tools to make it happen.
Toddlers
Year One to Year Three
Your visit will start with a Caries (decay) Risk Assessment to see whether your child’s teeth have cavities or are showing early signs of decay. Our team will also provide you with brushing and flossing instructions and guidance regarding nutrition and other oral habits if necessary. The right nutrition and a simple Fluoride treatment may be a sufficient alternative to a future filling or restoration.
If this is the first time you’re visiting us, we’ll introduce you to the “knee-to-knee” exam method. This simply means your toddler may sit in your lap while we work, or your toddler may choose to sit in the chair.
Juniors
Year Four to Year Ten
These are the years when teeth are developing and growing, so they need to be evaluated closely. We’ll walk you through a decay-risk assessment to determine whether your child has cavities. We’ll provide oral-hygiene instructions, address any habits and explain treatments that can prevent decay on the newly erupting permanent teeth. We will also closely examine how your child’s teeth and jaws fit together and make suggestions for any current or future orthodontic needs.
Teens
Year Eleven to Year Seventeen
Teenagers and young adults are busy these days, and visiting the dentist may not be their number-one priority. However, it’s just as important to brush, floss and maintain regular dental appointments at this age. Teens may actually have a higher rate of cavities due to frequent snacking, busy schedules and poor nutrition; and most already have all of their permanent teeth – teeth that need to last a lifetime!
We will continue to follow any orthodontic needs and ensure they are being addressed by referring your child to a trusted local orthodontist. We will send treatment records and any X-rays, and we will even schedule the appointment for you if it is more convenient.