Being a parent, you want the best for your children, and that includes the quality of your dental care. Dr. Cappello suggests brining your little ones to our dental office every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Our team loves working with patients of all ages and helping young smiles develop safely over the years. Call Cappello Family Dental today to schedule your child’s next appointment or learn more about our options for children's dentistry.
Your child should start seeing the dentist around the time of their first birthday. The initial appointment is relatively short; we’ll simply check the developing oral and facial structures and take note of any potential concerns. After that, you’ll simply bring your child back every six months for checkups and teeth cleanings. During these visits, we’ll give your little one some tips for taking care of their smile at home. We’ll let you know if we find any developmental problems that need attention.
Even if your child brushes and flosses as diligently as they can, they may struggle in cleaning their molars and premolars. Thanks to their location near the back of the mouth, these teeth tend to be more vulnerable to cavities. Applying a dental sealant to these teeth can help keep them safe for five years or more while your child improves their brushing skills. A sealant is made from durable plastic material that completely seals off the crevices in the tooth so that food particles don’t slip in over time.
If your child drinks plenty of tap water, chances are their teeth are getting a healthy amount of fluoride, a natural mineral that strengthens enamel and helps prevent cavities. If for any reason your child is not getting as much fluoride as they should, we can perform a fluoride treatment during their next appointment. The fluoride varnish can be applied directly to the teeth in just a few minutes, but the benefits can be enjoyed for a long time.
When your child complains about a toothache, you should never brush it off. While some toothaches are the result of food getting caught between the teeth, in many cases they are the biggest warning sign that the pulp underneath the enamel has become damaged or infected. Depending on the situation and your child’s developmental needs, we might remove part of or all of the pulp in order to stop the pain and save the tooth.
If your child plays sports, you may have already bought some necessary safety equipment such as a helmet or some kneepads. But is their smile protected as well? Even in low-contact sports, there’s a chance of accidents happening that could knock out a tooth. You could get a one-size-fits-all mouthguard from the store, but if you want to give your child a truly effective and comfortable appliance, you can ask about having a custom sportsguard created.
