Pediatric Dentist in Lancaster, CA

When it comes to the oral health of children, pediatric dentistry is an essential part of keeping your child healthy. From the first trip to the dentist to regular checkups and treatments, it’s important to understand how pediatric dentistry can help children maintain good oral health.

By establishing a positive experience for your child, AV Dental Wellness Group can help them feel more comfortable about their future dental care. Our Lancaster, CA pediatric dentist is here to ensure that every child receives attentive, gentle care, whether it’s their first checkup or they’re experiencing a toothache.

Your Child’s First Trip to the Pediatric Dentist

Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be before their first birthday or when their first tooth appears. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children receive regular dental checkups every six months starting at age one.

At a child’s first dental checkup, our Lancaster dentist will check your child’s teeth and gums for any signs of decay or other oral problems. We will also assess how the teeth and jaws are developing and look for any signs of misalignment or related issues. Depending on the age of your child, we may also provide a preventative cleaning, fluoride varnish, or apply sealants to help protect teeth from cavities.

Our dentist may also request X-rays of your child’s teeth and jaws to get a better understanding of their oral health, tooth development, and underlying anatomical structures. If there are any areas of concern, we’ll talk to you about any potential treatment needs that may be necessary for your child’s teeth in the future.

During this visit, our team will also discuss dietary choices and oral hygiene habits, as well as tips on how to prevent cavities and maintain healthy teeth.

Your child’s first trip to the pediatric dentist is an important step in ensuring their overall health and well-being. With regular checkups, we can detect any problems early on and provide treatments to keep your child’s mouth healthy.

Why Is Children’s Dentistry Important?

While oral health issues occur to people of all ages, children from infancy to their teen years suffer from oral and dental issues specific to their age group. The first teeth of a child usually begin to erupt during the first six months of their life. When the child turns the age of 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of primary teeth, making way for secondary or permanent teeth. Therefore, taking care of children’s dental health all through their childhood is important to avoid possible oral decay and ailments that may lead to a lifetime of dental issues and complications.

Children have different dental needs compared to adults. Their teeth are still developing and more prone to cavities and decay. Regular visits to a dentist can help identify any potential issues early on and ensure proper treatment. Our dentists are trained in treating young patients with compassion and understanding. We create a comfortable environment that helps alleviate any fear or anxiety your child may have about going to the dentist.

Additionally, establishing good oral hygiene habits from a young age sets the foundation for lifelong dental health. We educate both parents and children on proper brushing techniques, diet choices, and other preventive measures. Children’s dentistry not only focuses on treating existing problems but also emphasizes preventive care, such as fluoride treatments and sealants that can protect against tooth decay.

Common Dental Treatments for Kids

• Dental fillings
• Dental crowns
• Pulp therapy
• Sealants
• Cleanings and fluoride
• Mouthguards

Children’s Dental Fillings

It’s essential to treat tooth decay in children as soon as possible before the cavity spreads. Tooth decay can cause abscessed teeth, pain, and difficulty with eating or speaking. If not treated early, the infection can lead to more serious health problems, requiring hospitalization.

Regular dental visits help identify any cavities while they’re small, allowing for conservative treatments like dental fillings. Filling the cavity helps to prevent further damage and stops bacteria from spreading deeper into the tooth. Symptoms may include soreness, difficulty eating, or food getting caught in the teeth.

In most cases, small white fillings are recommended.

Dental Crowns for Kids

A dental crown is a restoration that is used to repair a tooth that has been severely damaged or decayed. A crown may be recommended for a child if the damage to the tooth is so extensive that other treatments, such as a filling, are not sufficient to restore it. Dental crowns are also commonly used to cover and protect a weak tooth from further breakage or to cover a tooth after a pulpotomy. In some cases, crowns are used to cover fractured teeth in order to improve the appearance and function of a smile.

When placing a crown on a child’s tooth, our Lancaster pediatric dentist will first numb the area and then remove any decay from the tooth. Then we shape the remaining tooth structure and attach a crown to the tooth, typically with special dental cement.

Dental Sealants

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children get sealants once their permanent molars come in, which is usually around age 6 or 7. Their second permanent molars typically erupt closer to age 12.

Sealants may also be recommended for children at higher risk of cavities, such as those who struggle with poor oral hygiene or have had cavities in the past. Each sealant is essentially a protective layer that safeguards the deep grooves and pits on hard-to-clean chewing surfaces.

Sealants are a safe and simple procedure that is relatively inexpensive and does not require anesthesia. Once applied, they can last for several years, depending on how well your child takes care of their teeth.

Children’s Dental Cleanings and Fluoride

During a routine dental cleaning, our hygienist will remove plaque and tartar that have built up on your child’s teeth, as well as polish and floss the teeth. We’ll also provide personalized oral hygiene instruction based on your child’s age and home care habits.

Fluoride is an important part of keeping your child’s teeth healthy. During a fluoride treatment, your child’s teeth are coated with a varnish or foam that helps strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities.

Both of these steps help protect your child’s teeth against decay and promote good oral health. Regular visits to the dentist can help ensure that your child is receiving the care they need to keep their teeth healthy and strong. We recommend cleanings and exams be scheduled every six months.

Pulpotomies, Pulp Therapy

If your child’s tooth is abscessed or has extremely deep areas of tooth decay, pulp therapy can prevent the need for a dental extraction. This measure also limits the risk of orthodontic complications associated with premature tooth loss.

Does My Child Need X-rays?

It’s important for children to have regular dental X-rays to keep their teeth healthy. X-rays allow dentists to identify problems that are too small to be seen by the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth and infections below the gums. X-rays can also help diagnose other potential issues, such as impacted teeth and orthodontic concerns, which can be treated early on to avoid further complications down the road.

X-rays are usually recommended once a year, depending on your child’s age and dental history. Full-mouth X-rays may be needed less often for purposes related to wisdom tooth exams or orthodontic screenings. It’s important to keep in mind that dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation, making them completely safe for children.

Schedule Your Child’s Dental Checkup Today

Contact AV Dental Wellness Group to schedule a children’s dental checkup in Lancaster today.

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On This Page

• Your Child’s First Trip to the pediatric Dentist
• Why Is Children’s Dentistry Important?
• Common Dental Treatments for Kids
• Children’s Dental Fillings
• Dental Crowns for Kids
• Dental Sealants
• Children’s Dental Cleanings and Fluoride
• Pulpotomies, Pulp Therapy
• Does My Child Need X-rays?

Related Topics

• Dental Checkup
• Dental X-Ray
• Orthodontics

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Pediatric Dentist) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)