Children’s Dentistry – Glenpool, OK
Only the Best for Their Precious Smiles
Drs. Mohanna and Georgy recommend that your child’s first dental visit should occur when they acquire their first tooth. Visits before the age of four are called “happy visits” and are designed to get kids accustomed to the dental office as well as educate both the child and parents on good at-home oral health maintenance. During these initial visits for children's dentistry in Glenpool, OK, your child may be asked to sit on your lap during the examination. As they get older, the examinations they receive become more extensive, and parents may be asked to remain in the reception for part of the visit in order to establish a relationship between your child and the dentist.
Why Choose 918 Dentist of Glenpool for Children’s Dentistry?
- One-Stop Shop for a Variety of Dental Treatments
- Dentists with the Highest Training in the Area
- Affordable, Insurance-Friendly Care
Children’s Dentistry 101
A child’s first teeth begin to erupt around 6 months. Usually, the lower front two teeth appear first, then the upper four followed by the remaining dentition. By the age of 2 ½, a child will have twenty primary teeth, and their dental visits will become very important for maintenance and development.
Healthy baby teeth are important for food intake, appearance, and speech, but they also maintain space for permanent teeth. Around the age of six, children will begin acquiring their permanent adult teeth.
One of the most common children’s dentistry questions we get is, “How can I prevent tooth decay?” Tooth decay occurs as bacteria feeds off food intake, creating acids that eat away at the tooth. A well-balanced diet, proper brushing and flossing techniques, supplemental fluoride, and routine children’s dental visits can all help prevent tooth decay.
Here are some ways you can help your child avoid cavities:
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks
- Encourage proper brushing and flossing
- Avoid sticky foods
- Avoid starchy foods
- Encourage child to swallow and not let food linger in mouth
- Choose nutritious snacks
- Have dentist place sealants on deeply pitted teeth
What to Expect at a Children’s Dentistry Visit
- X-rays will be taken to check for cavities and abnormalities in developing teeth.
- The need for supplemental fluoride will be determined.
- Teeth will be cleaned, fluoride administered, and a recall schedule established.
- We will check for adverse habits like thumb sucking and tongue trusting.
- Proper brushing and flossing techniques will be taught.
- We will counsel on healthy eating habits.
How to Prepare Your Child for Their First Visit
- Show them pictures of the dental office and team on this website
- Recite happy memories of your dental visits
- Explain what will happen
- Read books with them about going to the dentist
Dental Checkups & Teeth Cleanings for Kids
During your child’s checkup, we’ll consistently treat them with compassion and kindness while making sure they stay comfortable. Particularly anxious children might receive sedation. We’ll perform a thorough examination of your child’s mouth to check for oral health issues as well as signs they might need orthodontic treatment. These visits are also a chance to remove plaque and tartar from the spots that your child has trouble cleaning with their toothbrush or while learning to floss.
Dental Sealants
Cavities develop more often in the molars near the back of the mouth. That’s because the posterior teeth are harder to reach effectively, and bacteria and food particles can become trapped in the grooves they contain. For children who are especially vulnerable to this kind of decay, we can place a thin plastic coating on the surface of their enamel. This can give them some much needed protection, although you’ll still need to make sure they’re practicing excellent oral hygiene.
Fluoride Treatments
Even baby teeth need to be protected from cavities; as soon as your child gets their first tooth, we may recommend a fluoride treatment. The fluoride will be applied topically, and the number of treatments your child will need each year depends on how likely they are to get a cavity. Dentists all over the world use fluoride to treat children; only a small, safe amount will be used, and hardly any will be swallowed.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
If your child’s tooth does become decayed despite the care given to it, they’ll need to have it filled. However, a metal filling could stand out in their mouth and cause them to become self-conscious. That’s why we offer tooth-colored fillings made from a composite resin that closely resembles enamel. These fillings are unlikely to be noticed by casual observers, so your child will still be able to smile comfortably. As another benefit, we won’t need to remove as much tooth structure to make room for the composite resin filling.
Athletic Mouthguards
Sports can be an excellent way for your child to get some exercise and develop their social skills. However, athletes of all ages need to be especially careful when it comes to their smiles because 3 million teeth are lost each year during sporting events. We can give your loved one a mouthguard to help keep their teeth safe should any accidents occur. Unlike the mouthguards you buy at the store, the oral appliances we provide are uniquely designed for each patient for the most comfortable fit.