The Importance of Dental Care for Children
Many patients think that "baby teeth" do not need the same care as adult teeth. But this is not the case: healthy primary teeth help your child eat comfortably, speak clearly, and smile confidently and lay the foundations for healthy adult teeth. Consequently, it is essential that children visit the dentist regularly, as well.
Drs. Chadwick J. Harris and R. Brent Culpepper see patients as young as three years old at their office in Laurel, MS. We offer many pediatric dentistry services including dental exams, dental fillings, and stainless steel dental crowns for children with advanced oral health issues. Providing regular dental care for your child can help them have less discomfort and boost their overall quality of life.
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Recommended Dental Care for Children
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you schedule your child's first visit to the dentist as soon as their first tooth appears. At Harris Dental Clinic, we regularly see patients as young as three years old and administer a variety of procedures tailored towards children.
Regular Dental Exams
We recommend regular visits to our office every six months, or more often if your child is prone to dental issues. Regular exams allow Drs. Harris and Culpepper to identify outstanding oral health issues before the onset of serious, irreversible symptoms.
Dental Fillings
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has named tooth decay as one of the most common health conditions among American children. In fact, 20 percent of children ages 5 to 11 have at least one untreated cavity. When left untreated, decay can cause pain and infection that can dramatically inhibit your child's ability to eat healthy foods, speak with confidence, and live a full, happy life.
To help your children feel comfortable...we provide stickers and bouncy balls in our toy basket for them to choose from at the end of their visit.
Pulpotomies
If your child's tooth does become infected, there are treatments available to preserve their natural teeth. During a pulpotomy, one of our doctors will remove infected pulp from within the tooth to promote the health of the existing pulp and surrounding tooth structure.
Stainless Steel Crowns
If your child has a severely decayed tooth, a stainless steel dental crown can help them maintain full function. We typically recommend stainless steel dental crowns if a regular filling will most likely not be successful. Stainless steel crowns are extremely durable, allowing your child to enjoy reduced sensitivity and a fuller and more nutritious diet until their permanent teeth grown in.
Promoting Your Child's Oral Health at Home
One of the best ways to keep your child's smile looking and feeling healthy is to practice good oral hygiene at home. For infants, you should use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Toothbrushes especially designed for children are a great choice because the smaller head of the toothbrush is more comfortable for your child. The CDC also recommends:
- Encouraging your child to drink fluoridated water, since fluoridation has been shown to reduce decay by 18 to 40 percent
- Helping your child eat balanced and nutritious meals
- Considering fluoride treatments or sealants provided by your dentist
We Help Kids Feel Comfortable
We understand that a visit to the dentist can be scary, even for adults. To help your children feel comfortable and even excited about their upcoming visit to the dentist, we provide stickers and bouncy balls in our toy basket for them to choose from at the end of their visit. Do not let your child's oral health conditions go undiagnosed. Schedule a visit to Harris Dental Clinic today by calling us at (601) 649-3344 or requesting an appointment online.
