Creating a Positive Dental Foundation for Your Child
At River Birch Dental, we see our patients as part of our family. We know how important your family’s health is, which is why we provide caring pediatric dentistry services to help maintain our youngest patients’ smiles.
Dr. Georgie Vargas, your skilled children’s dentist in Centuria, WI, has years of experience when it comes to providing personalized dental care to patients of all ages. We invite families in Luck, Dresser, Balsam Lake, and beyond to discover how Dr. Vargas can make their smiles shine.
What is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry is about taking care of the little smiles that mean the world to us. This specialized field of dentistry focuses on providing customized dental care for infants, children, and teens.
With a combination of compassion, knowledge, and expertise, our Centuria pediatric dentists work hard to ensure that children develop healthy teeth and gums and maintain a positive attitude toward oral hygiene for years to come.
What to Expect at Your Child’s Dental Visits
Your child’s dental appointments will include the same practices as your routine checkups. We’ll check their teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure there aren’t any problems. We may also take X-rays to check for early signs of decay or cavities.
We’ll also thoroughly clean your child’s teeth and provide additional instructions and tips on how to improve their oral care routine. Our friendly team will happily answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Our pediatric dentistry services include:
- Oral Examinations
- Oral Cleanings
- Tooth Extractions
- Tooth Fillings
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Usually, parents begin bringing their children to the dentist between the appearance of their first tooth and their first birthday. To set them up for a lifetime of healthy smiles, we advise bringing them to our office as early as possible. With gentle expertise, we hope to instill good dental hygiene habits in our patients from a young age. We want to make taking care of your teeth fun.
Tips for Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy at Home
Here are some tips for maintaining your child’s oral health between visits:
- When your child’s first tooth erupts, they’ll typically experience soreness and sensitivity. To ease the pain, gently rub a clean, wet cloth along their gums.
- Another way to alleviate their teething pain is with a teething ring. We advise you to never freeze a teething ring, as it can cause frostbite and bruise your child’s fragile gums.
- Help your child avoid tooth decay by limiting their intake of sugary foods and drinks.
- Make brushing and flossing fun by doing it with them every morning and night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dentists recommend scheduling check-ups and professional cleanings for your child every six months. Depending on your child’s oral health, more frequent visits may be necessary. These additional visits will help reduce the risk of cavities and keep their oral health on track.
In addition to following recommendations given by your child’s dentist, you’ll want to make sure your child:
- Brushes twice daily
- Flosses daily
- Limits sugary and acidic foods
- Uses oral hygiene products containing fluoride
- Limits snacking between meals
Making their oral hygiene routine fun and being a good role model for oral health can help your child learn good habits. If your child sees you regularly brushing your teeth, they’ll mimic your behavior.
Ask your dentist for tips during your child’s visits. Until your child has developed the motor skills necessary to perform their oral care routine, you’ll want to guide brushing and flossing.
Some signs and symptoms of dental problems in children include:
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- Tooth discoloration or staining
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Mouth sores or ulcers
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Jaw pain or discomfort
It’s important to note these symptoms can be caused by various factors. A proper diagnosis can only be made by a qualified pediatric dentist. Schedule regular check-ups for your child to address any concerns you may have about your child’s oral health.