Routine pediatric dentistry appointments are important to ensure that your child’s teeth and gums remain healthy. Regular checkups are essential because they alert you of any potentially serious illness and educate you thus ensuring you maintain a beautiful smile. Pediatric dentistry in Santa Clarita is performed by specialists who are dedicated to providing the best treatment and prevention of possible teeth problems.

What is pediatric dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health problems in children from childhood all through to adolescence. Generally, pediatric dentistry is different from general dentistry, that’s why most parents who are concerned with their child’s oral health choose it. Another name that is used to refer to pediatric dentistry is pedodontics. A person who has specialized in treating all teeth diseases in children, infants, and adolescents is referred to as a pediatric dentist. This pediatric dentist is specially trained to provide comprehensive care for primary and permanent teeth. They also provide educational information on various ways of preventing teeth problems. Ensuring that you take your kids to a dentist at an early age enables them to establish good oral hygiene for life.

What services are included in pediatric dentistry?

A wide variety of pediatric dentistry services are provided including:

  •       Oral examinations

An oral examination is a regular screening used to monitor your child’s oral health. During the examination, a small handheld mirror is used to observe your kid’s teeth, tongue, gums, and lips. In case any problems are noted including gum disease or cavities, an x-ray can be carried out to help in developing a custom care plan.

  •       Professional teeth cleaning

Even though your kid flosses or brushes their teeth daily professional teeth cleaning is also crucial. During a professional cleaning, the dentist usually removes tartar and plaque from under the gums and surfaces of their teeth. They also polish their teeth with toothpaste and floss them. They can also administer fluoride treatment at times to lower the risk of cavities.

  •       Oral x-ray

It is a diagnostic technique that provides detailed images of your child’s jaw, alveolar bone, and tooth roots. The x-ray can also detect cavities and impacted teeth thus help guide oral surgery and orthodontic treatment.

  •       Dental sealants

Dental sealants are mainly used in children who have a history of cavities. The sealants are a protective covering that prevents tooth decay.

  •       Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a procedure that is performed in children with crooked and crowded teeth or those with a misaligned jaw. It uses appliances like retainers, braces, and palatal expanders to align your child’s smile.

  •       Pediatric crowns

Pediatric crowns are used to prevent further complications in children who have severely damaged their gums or have deep cavities when their ability to chew or bite is being restored. Therefore by maintaining a child’s primary teeth it’s possible to prevent more complex oral health problems in the future.

  •       How often should I schedule an appointment?

The pediatric dentist recommends that you book an appointment for your kid after every six months even if their teeth and gums look relatively healthy. Regular checkups can help detect gum disease and cavities because these teeth problems do not always have obvious unwanted effects.

In summary, you do not have to wait for your kid to develop teeth problems so that you can seek dental care, visit Skyline Smiles today and book pediatric dentistry appointments for your child.