Pediatric Preventive Dentistry – Worcester, MA
More Than an Ounce of Prevention
The best way to handle any dental problem is to stop it before it happens, which is why Kids' Smiles on Lincoln places such an emphasis on preventive dentistry. With just two checkups and cleanings each year, we can help your child avoid cavities, gum disease, and several other common oral health problems, so they can spend more time being a kid and less in the dental chair! Has it been more than six months since their last dental visit? If so, be sure to give our pediatric dental team a call to schedule an appointment for pediatric preventive dentistry in Worcester, MA!
Why Choose Kids' Smiles on Lincoln for Pediatric Preventive Dentistry?
- Team Led by Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist
- Kind & Friendly Dental Team
- Dental Insurance & MassHealth Accepted
Oral Health Risk Assessment
For infants, we can perform what is called an oral health risk assessment, which is a brief exam where we look at their gums, jaws, bite, and several other factors to see how likely they are to experience certain oral health issues over time. Plus, this gives us a chance to talk to parents and go over the basics of taking care of their child’s mouth at this stage so they can avoid infections and issues like baby bottle tooth decay.
Teething
Teething is a necessary but stressful stage of development that every child goes through. If you have questions about what to expect, or if you’re in need of tips to soothe your child’s pain, we’re always just a phone call away. We recommend massaging the gums with a clean finger, or you can give your child a chilled teething toy to gnaw on. The only method to avoid is feeding your child so-called teething crackers or treats, as these are usually loaded with sugar.
Non-Nutritive Habits (Thumb Sucking)
Two important abilities that babies form early on are creating suction (so they can feed) and swallowing. Often, thumb sucking will occur as well, and for infants, this is a perfectly normal and healthy behavior. However, if it continues when the teeth start to come in, this can cause serious issues as well as change how the jaw grows. Also, some children can start doing something called a tongue-thrust, where the tongue presses against the teeth whenever they swallow, which can slowly move them. We have helped many children break these habits, and we can offer you a personalized plan if necessary to make the process as quick and easy as possible.
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings
Checkups and cleanings allow us to do several things in one appointment to protect your child’s smile. In addition to systematically removing plaque and tartar, our dentist will also closely examine their teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and more so that if there are any problems, they can be diagnosed and treated immediately. These regular visits can stop many issues on their own and allow us to take care of minor problems before they morph into big ones.
Dental Sealants
If a child is going to develop a cavity, it will most likely be in one of their back teeth, the molars. That’s because these can be hard for little hands to reach while brushing, plus their deep pits and grooves easily trap food particles and bacteria. But, with a dental sealant, we can cover these vulnerable teeth with a thin layer of dental plastic, effectively shielding them. The procedure only takes a few minutes, is completely comfortable, and the protection can easily last for over a decade.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
You’re probably already familiar with how fluoride strengthens the teeth to lower the risk of cavities, but with silver diamine fluoride, we can quickly put a stop to ongoing tooth decay. When applied to a minor cavity, the silver kills the harmful bacteria causing the damage, and the fluoride helps remineralize the enamel. In addition to being very comfortable and effective, this approach allows us to take care of cavities while keeping the dreaded dental drill put away.
Athletic Mouthguards
Do you have a future star athlete at home, or does your child just like to play the occasional pickup game with their friends? Either way, regardless of the sport, they should always wear a mouthguard to keep their teeth protected from accidents. Rather than forcing them to wear an uncomfortable appliance from the store, we can create a custom-fitted one, which will feel better, defend better, and actually be used as opposed to being constantly “forgotten.”