Here at Sugarloaf Signature Dentistry, we provide quality preventive dentistry to children. It is our goal to help children while they are young to establish good oral health habits that will stay with them for life. 

Preventive dental care includes activities that help maintain good oral health such as forming habits of brushing and flossing, eating healthy food, and visiting the dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. 

Schedule your child’s preventative dentistry care today with our expert dentists in child dentistry! 

What Are the Benefits of Preventive Dental Care for Children?

Here are a few benefits of preventive dental checkups for children:

• Minimized risk of tooth decay: Cavities are small holes in the teeth that are caused by tooth decay. Preventive dental care helps remove the harmful bacteria on your child’s teeth to lower their chance of getting cavities. 
• Preserved tooth enamel: Healthy enamel is important for protecting your teeth. Preventive dental care will ensure the enamel stays clean and strong and protects your child’s teeth from harmful bacteria. 
• Gum disease prevention: Plaque is a root cause of many dental issues including gingivitis, which is an early form of gum disease. We have the skills and tools to clean below your child’s gum line to prevent gum disease from occurring. 
• Better health: Preventive dental care will help your child to have better breath. Removing plaque, bacteria, and food particles will make the mouth cleaner and healthier.

Professional Cleaning

When you visit Sugarloaf Signature Dentistry with your child, we will provide a calm and relaxing environment for their professional cleaning. The professional dental cleaning routine is pretty straightforward. We will take the following steps once you have checked in:

1. X-rays and Imaging: First, our hygienists will introduce themselves and begin taking x-rays if needed. We will take some quick pictures to make sure we don’t miss any cavities or other dental issues. 
2. Dental Cleaning: Next, our hygienist will clean your teeth using a special dental tool to scrape the plaque off your child’s enamel and away from their gums. This is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
3. Tooth Polishing: Then, our dental professionals will use an electric spinning tooth polisher to clean the teeth using a fun flavored toothpaste. This protects the teeth and makes them smooth and shiny.
4. Dental Exam: After the teeth are all clean, our dentist will do a thorough examination of the soft tissues inside your child’s mouth. They will use a curved tool to poke the teeth to check for cavities and measure the pockets between the teeth and gums.
5. Fluoride Treatment: Finally, your child will receive fluoride treatment to create a protective barrier on their teeth to prevent plaque from sticking to their enamel. Our fluoride also comes in a variety of fun flavors.

Does your child need a dental checkup or cleaning? Call us today to schedule their appointment and get their oral health needs met!

Fluoride

Fluoride acts as an added barrier against harmful bacteria and plaque that could otherwise damage your child’s developing teeth. For children, we recommend topical application of fluoride during tooth development. There are 3 types of fluoride that we recommend your child will need for good oral health and to prevent cavities. 

• Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste is recommended from the eruption of the first tooth until adulthood. Until your child turns 3 years old, you should only give them a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Try to teach your child how to spit after brushing which will eliminate ingestion of the toothpaste.
  
• Dental Rinses: Dental rinses are only recommended for children above the age of 6 who can rinse and spit without supervision. Fluoride rinses can be helpful for children who are prone to dental cavities or who live in communities without fluoridated water.
  
• Varnish: This is a highly concentrated fluoride that is applied topically on the teeth by our dental professionals. This is usually done after the dental cleaning in pediatric appointments.

Sealants

Good oral habits such as brushing and flossing daily are important habits for your child to develop. However, another safeguard that we might use to help fight against tooth decay is a dental sealant. 

Dental sealants are thin, composite resin coatings that are painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. While they are not a substitute for daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants can prevent cavities from forming. 

We recommend that children between the ages of 6 and 14 receive dental sealants when their teeth show signs of wear. This will help protect teeth from tooth decay.

Mouth Guards

Does your child like to play sports? It is important to protect your child from dental injuries during their different activities. 

At Sugarloaf Signature Dentistry, we can provide custom athletic mouth guards for children. A mouth guard for their unique mouth will help cushion their teeth when they fall or take a hit. Our custom mouth guards fit more comfortably, help prevent costly injuries to their mouth, and last longer than other mouth guards.

Call Today for Your Child’s Preventive Dentistry Needs!

Don’t delay getting your child in for their preventative dental care! Whether your child needs a professional cleaning, fluoride treatment, sealants, or mouthguards, we are here to provide the best preventive dental care for your child. Call us today!