Kids and Teens Dentistry
Kids and teens need dental care to help them avoid cavities and maintain clean teeth. Bringing your child to the pediatric dentist in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL can help set up your child for a lifetime of good oral hygiene. When you take your child to the dentist, you teach them the importance of cleaning their teeth and taking responsibility for their oral health.
The dental professionals at Cochran, Soares, and Associates Pediatric Dentistry provide excellent patient care for kids and teenagers. We offer many dentistry services to help our patients care for their teeth.
Kids and Teens Dentistry Services
Dental Exams
Kids need periodic dental exams. During dental exams, the dentist will look for problems like cracks and cavities, gum disease, and more. Dental exams can catch these problems in their early stages.
Dental X-rays
Dental X-rays help the dentist find problems that can’t be seen through a visual examination. Kids don’t need dental X-rays with every visit to the dentist’s office. The dentist will let you know when your child should get X-rays.
Dental Cleanings
During dental cleanings, the dentist will remove plaque and tartar from your child’s teeth. They’ll also polish the tooth enamel to prevent more food from sticking to your child’s teeth.
Orthodontics
Crooked teeth and a misaligned jaw can lead to many problems including painful chewing and difficulty pronouncing certain words. If your child has crooked, crowded, or misaligned teeth, take them for an orthodontic evaluation as soon as possible.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a protective coating the dentist can put on your child’s teeth to help prevent cavities. Kids between the ages of 6 and 14 benefit from dental sealants. If your child doesn’t have dental sealants, ask the dentist about them the next time you take them for a dental appointment.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is a type of dentistry that can restore your child’s teeth after they become damaged. Restorative dentistry includes cavity fillings and dental crowns, to help your child recover from dental injury and tooth decay.
Why Choose Us for Kids and Teens Dentistry Services?
Kids and teens have many unique dental needs. Kids are at high risk of cavities. As they get older, kids also face orthodontic challenges and problems with wisdom teeth. Bring your child to a pediatric dentist so they can get expert care from a dental professional with experience.
Kids and Teens Dentistry FAQs
How often should my teenager see the dentist?
Unless the dentist provides different instructions, bring your child to the dentist every six months. Taking your child to the dentist twice per year will help your child maintain healthy teeth and gums.
How can I tell if my child has a cavity?
Some cavities have no symptoms, so you may not always know when your child has a cavity. Here are some warning signs to watch for:
- Your child has bad breath that won’t go away after brushing their teeth.
- Your child’s teeth are discolored.
- There is a hole in your child’s tooth.
- Your child complains about having a toothache or tooth sensitivity.
- Your child may notice that their tooth is painful when they chew food or eat something sugary.
If your child is experiencing any of the symptoms above, take them to the dentist’s office for a check-up.
What can I do to protect my child from dental injury?
Kids can break their teeth after accidents like trips and falls, and when playing sports and games. If your child is involved in high-contact sports like football or hockey, have your child wear a mouthguard while engaging in sports activities. If your child suffers from bruxism (teeth grinding), they may need to wear a mouthguard at night. Talk to the dentist to find out more about wearing a mouthguard.
Kids and teenagers also use their teeth to cut through packages and bite through string – discourage your child from using their teeth as scissors.
If my child breaks a tooth, what should I do?
A broken tooth can lead to tooth decay and infection, especially if the break is deep. If your child has a cracked or broken tooth, contact the dentist to get help.
Why does my child’s breath smell even after they brush their teeth?
Bad breath even after your child brushes their teeth could be an indication of excessive bacteria in the mouth. Your child could have gum disease, a cavity, or a dental infection. Talk to the dentist to find out what can be done.
Is my child old enough to brush their own teeth?
When they’re very young, children lack the coordination and dexterity to brush their own teeth. Many parents brush teeth for their children until their children are about 7 or 8 years old. When your child is getting old enough to brush their teeth, encourage them to practice while you watch. This will help your child learn to brush their teeth.
What can I do to take care of my child’s teeth?
Bring your child to the dentist every six months. Brush your child’s teeth twice each day (morning and night), and floss their teeth once each day. Brush your child’s teeth for two minutes each time. Use a toothbrush that is an appropriate size for their age. Some kids take better care of their teeth when they’re allowed to choose their toothbrush and toothpaste.
Will my teenager need to have their wisdom teeth removed?
Some teenagers need to have their wisdom teeth removed while others do not. The dentist will check the condition of your child’s teeth through X-rays and regular exams to let you know if their wisdom teeth need to be removed.
When should kids start flossing?
Start flossing your child’s teeth when they have two teeth close enough to touch. For many kids, this happens when they’re around 2 or 3 years old.
Contact Us for Kids and Teens Dentistry Services
Take your child to a dental professional who cares. Contact us for pediatric dentistry services in Jacksonville and St. Johns, FL.
