Whittington Pediatric Dentistry is a full-service dental practice that serves children and teenagers. We provide thorough dental checkups and professional cleanings along with preventive treatments and patient education services.
Cleanings and Checkups
Patients should receive two cleanings and checkups per year. Scheduling regular appointments for your child is important for establishing good oral health and positive associations with dental settings. Dental checkups are very thorough. Depending on your child’s age, we will utilize diagnostic technology that can detect tooth decay in its earliest stages as well as abnormalities that might affect structures not seen, hard tissue, and soft oral tissue. Abnormalities such as growths that appear in the oral cavity and neck might be sent to pathology to be tested for oral cancer. While oral cancer is rare among children, our practice prefers to err on the side of caution.
Like checkups, cleanings are important for establishing healthy teeth and gums. During a cleaning, substances are removed above and below the gum line that contribute to common oral disease. Our hygienists can also make recommendations if they find that home care practices are insufficient.
Preventive Treatments
Whenever possible, our practice strives to prevent the development of dental caries. Common preventive treatments we offer are fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Fluoride treatments involve applying prescription strength fluoride in a flavored varnish or foam. It is then left on the teeth for a few minutes so that it can replenish lost minerals in tooth enamel. Strong tooth enamel is essential for protecting teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.
In addition to fluoride treatments, we offer dental sealants. Since teeth – especially the molars – tend to have noticeable pits and grooves, they are prone to tooth decay on their biting surfaces. This is because bacteria and debris can collect in these spots. To strengthen teeth, we can apply a clear dental sealant that is made from cavity-resistant materials. A dental sealant is not noticeable and will not affect the aesthetics of a smile.
First Dental Visits & Anticipatory Guidance
We certainly want your child’s first dental visit to be a pleasant one. Our practice offers a kid-friendly environment that is welcoming to children of all ages. We recommend that your child have their first dental checkup when their first teeth come in or when they turn one year old, whichever comes first. During your first visit, we will take down important information about your child’s progress and development as well as notes on your family medical and dental history. Our dentist will perform a physical examination of your child’s mouth and neck to look for signs of any developmental abnormalities.
Anticipatory guidance is a service where we provide education to parents on how to maintain their child’s oral health and anticipate changes as their child develops. We have a wealth of information available to families in the form of pamphlets and online resources. Feel free to ask our team for guidance any time you have a question.