Do you need a new dentist for your child? At Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we provide pediatric dentistry services in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Cynthia Elderkin offers helpful tips for kids and their parents and preventative dental care like sealants and custom mouthguards. As part of our general dentistry services, we emphasize good oral health to prevent cavities, gum inflammation, and other dental problems common in children.
When Should My Child Visit the Dentist?
Take your child to the dentist for the first time by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears. After that, schedule regular check-ups every six months.
Call us right away if your child has tooth pain, swollen gums, or spots on their teeth. Early visits help prevent cavities and catch small issues before they become big problems.
Pediatric Dental Care in Raleigh, NC
Daily hygiene is a valuable part of your child’s oral health care. Children want to brush on their own around age 3, but they cannot properly control a brush until around age 9. Make it fun by letting your child brush first, then you follow up. Nighttime brushing is the most important, as food and bacteria have hours to cause damage while your child sleeps.
Dental visits are another key part to keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy. Our office offers children’s dental cleanings as well as sealants and fluoride for younger dental patients as part of our pediatric dentistry services in Raleigh, NC.
Regular Pediatric Cleanings
Our office loves to see children and wants to provide a positive experience! We know that having a fun and engaging first visit will set your child up for success in their early years and throughout life.
During your child’s first dental visit, you and your child will meet our wonderful staff, including a visit with our hygienist and dentist. You will receive valuable information and have time to ask questions.
We will encourage your child to sit in the dental chair for a ride and will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. Many children are shy or nervous at first but become great lifelong patients with a positive first visit. We encourage parents to schedule biannual cleanings and exams so we can keep track of your child’s oral health as they grow.
Sealants for Kids
Dental sealants are thin coatings that we place on the chewing surface of the permanent teeth. We typically place sealants on the molars and premolars to help protect them from bacteria and acids that contribute to cavities. These teeth have grooves and depressions that attract food and plaque. It can be hard for regular tooth brushing and flossing to prevent particles from getting stuck in these areas.
We usually place sealants on children’s molars and premolars when they first erupt. But we can also place sealants for adults who are at risk of developing cavities. Sealant treatment is quick and does not require anesthesia.
Safe Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent cavities and can repair teeth. If you or your child are at a moderate-to-high risk of developing cavities, a professional fluoride treatment in our office can help. The fluoride treatment in our office is a much stronger concentration than in toothpaste and mouth rinses that may be available over the counter.
The fluoride may be in the form of a solution, gel, foam, or varnish. We apply the fluoride with a brush or a tray held in the mouth for several minutes. Not eating or drinking for 30 minutes after fluoride can help the teeth absorb and repair as quickly as possible. Generally, children up to 18 years of age receive fluoride in the dental office every 6 months.
What Do I Do if My Child Has Dental Fear?
It’s normal for kids to feel nervous about going to the dentist. New places, strange tools, and unfamiliar faces can make them anxious. The good news is that you can help your child feel more at ease in simple ways:
Start Dental Visits Early
Taking your child to the dentist early helps them get used to the experience. When dental visits happen often, they become routine instead of scary. Kids who grow up going to the dentist are less likely to fear it later.
Keep Talking Positive
Avoid words that might scare your child, like “shot,” “drill,” or “hurt.” Instead, explain that the dentist is a friend who checks their teeth to keep them strong. You can also read books about the dentist to your child so they understand what will happen at the visit.
Practice at Home
Let your child play pretend dentist with a stuffed animal or toy. Use a toothbrush to “count” their teeth, or let them “examine” your smile. This makes the real visit feel like something they’ve done before.
Bring Something Familiar
We encourage children to bring their favorite stuffed animal, small toy, or cozy blanket to their visit. These objects can comfort your child while they sit in the dental chair. Your child can hold their toy during the check-up.
Provide a Reward
After the visit, tell your child how proud you are of them. A small reward like a trip to the park can help them connect the dentist with good feelings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need dental care for your child, but need to know more? Read answers to common questions about pediatric dentistry in Raleigh, NC.
Why are baby teeth important?
Some people think baby teeth do not matter because they fall out anyway. That is not true. Baby teeth are very important for your child’s health and growth.
Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth. Think of them like placeholders. If a baby tooth falls out too early, the nearby teeth can shift into that empty space. Then when the adult tooth is ready to come in, there may not be enough room. This can cause crooked teeth.
Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy adult teeth. Cavities in baby teeth can spread infection to the permanent teeth growing underneath the gums.
Is a loose baby tooth a dental emergency?
In most cases, no. A loose baby tooth is normal when a child is around five to twelve years old. The permanent tooth underneath pushes the baby tooth out naturally.
But a loose tooth from a fall or accident may need a dentist visit. An injury can harm the permanent tooth growing underneath. Also call a dentist if the loose tooth causes severe pain, bleeding that will not stop, or swollen gums.
Do not pull a normal loose tooth. Let it fall out on its own. Call your dentist if the loose tooth came from an injury, if your child is very young like age two, or if you see swelling or bleeding that will not stop.
What do I do if my child has a dental emergency?
Call us as soon as your child has a dental emergency. We will give you immediate instructions over the phone and schedule an emergency visit if needed. While you are on the way to our office, stay calm and focus on comforting your child. Children often feel scared when they see blood or feel pain, so your calm voice makes a big difference.
Common pediatric dental emergencies we treat include:
- Knocked-out permanent tooth
- Broken or cracked tooth
- A loose tooth from a fall
- Severe toothache
- Gum or cheek swelling
- A bitten lip or tongue that will not stop bleeding.
We also treat stuck objects like popcorn hulls or small toys wedged between teeth or under the gums.
How can my child’s diet impact their teeth?
A healthy diet includes a balance with limited sugary foods, such as candy, sodas, fruit juices, and other sugar-containing beverages. Even milk contains natural sugars, so remember it is important to avoid putting a child to bed with a bottle and monitoring what types of foods they eat.
Call Our Family Dental Office Today
Do you need to schedule your child’s next dental appointment? Request a dental consultation with us today or call 919-295-0936. Get pediatric dentistry in Raleigh, NC, to keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy.