Children’s Dentistry – Allen, TX
Essential Care for Patients at every Age
It doesn’t matter if you are 8 years old or 80, oral care always matters. Of course, as your child goes through their stages of development, their mouth is sure to go through some significant changes. As their baby teeth erupt, they’ll need to learn proper oral care habits in preparation for their permanent teeth. Dr. Lewis provides patience and a gentle touch for all of her young patients, whether it’s their first appointment or their 50th! Feel free to give our dental office a call to schedule a visit and we’ll make sure your kids receive the quality they deserve from children's dentistry in Allen, TX.
Why Choose Allen Smile Design for Children’s Dentistry?
- Athletic Mouthguards Made Through Digital Impressions
- Gentle, Caring and Patient Dentist and Team
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings for Kids
During your child’s first appointment, we spend more time discussing important oral care habits at home and less time cleaning their smiles. While we do perform a brief exam and remove any plaque we do find, it’s important to ease them in to their first visit so they can feel comfortable during future appointments. We’ll always be sure to be as gentle, kind and considerate as possible. This is key to building trust with them as they age.
Dental Sealants
It’s no secret that children are at higher risk of decay than most other demographics. If we believe your child is at higher risk (or you just want to play it safe as they learn their at-home oral care), we’ll apply dental sealants directly to their most vulnerable teeth so they can confidently hone their brushing and flossing routine. These resin-based sealants only take a few minutes to apply and provide up to 10 years of protection with ease!
Learn More About Dental Sealants for Children
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride can be found in the foods you eat, public drinking water (in most cases), and in the oral care products you use. It’s incredibly important for oral health because it plays a major role in keeping your teeth strong and helping saliva protect your tooth enamel from bacteria and plaque. By performing routine fluoride applications for your child, we can reduce their risk for decay dramatically and ensure that no baby teeth fall out prematurely.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Cavities can be difficult to avoid, especially for your child who’s still learning how to brush and floss. In the event that a tooth becomes decayed, we can remove any decay and restore the tooth with tooth-colored filling material known as composite resin. Unlike metal materials, composite resin is capable of forming and adhering to tooth enamel, meaning we don’t need to remove any enamel just to restore it in the process.
Athletic Mouthguards
Is your child active on a regular basis? Do they play contact sports like football, hockey, basketball, or karate? When your child is at risk for high impact, you want to make sure that they have the right protective gear as well. Just like how you wouldn’t let them ride a bike without a helmet, you shouldn’t let them play sports without a mouthguard they’ll actually want to use. Custom options will always offer better protection, comfort, and durability than store-bought solutions.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
Do you have questions about your child’s oral health? Our team at Allen Smile Design is dedicated to providing you with all of the information and tools you need to help keep your child’s grin healthy and happy. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions that we receive from parents for your convenience.
When should my child’s first dental visit be?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children should be seen by a dentist in Allen at six months old, or by the time their first tooth grows in. The earlier you bring your children to our office, even during your own appointments, the less apprehensive they’ll be when they’re a bit older. During these early appointments, we typically don’t conduct an in-depth cleaning. Instead, we’ll check to see if their oral structure is developing properly and help educate them on how to take care of their pearly whites.
How should I clean my baby’s teeth?
Even before your child’s first tooth emerges from their gumline, it’s a good idea to clean their mouth every day to avoid bacteria accumulation. You can safely do this by rubbing their gums with a damp, soft, clean washcloth after each of their feedings.
Once your child’s teeth begin to grow in, you can use a child-sized, soft-bristled toothbrush with a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste on it. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, but too much fluoride can cause their teeth to discolor, which is why it’s important to use a miniscule amount until they’re able to spit it out themselves.
How can my child avoid cavities?
Cavities in children are typically caused by two primary habits. Poor oral hygiene and having a sugar-filled diet leads to an accumulation of harmful oral bacteria that produce acid that erodes enamel, which is the protective layer of your child’s teeth. As these acid attack the structure of their tooth, cavities form. The best way to keep this from happening is by making sure that they stay hydrated, eat a nutritious diet, and brush and floss every day. Your children’s dentist in Allen also offers additional protective measures like dental sealants and fluoride treatments as well.
Is it bad if my child sucks their thumb?
Thumb sucking is a completely natural habit for children that helps bring them comfort. The only time it can lead to oral developmental issues is when they continue doing it as their permanent teeth begin to grow in. This can cause a wide array of orthodontic issues, such as protruded front teeth and bite misalignment. Our team would be more than happy to help offer some tips and tricks if your little one is having a hard time breaking this habit.