Children’s Dentistry
Give your child the gift of a healthy smile! It is essential to start kids at a young age with a great dental experience that encourages them to maintain a healthy smile for the rest of their life. We will work together with you to reinforce and protect young teeth.
The general rule, per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, is that your child’s first dental visit should happen by their first birthday, or six months after their first tooth erupts. First visits are focused on getting your child used to the dentist chair and acquainted with the dental team. Dr. Letter and Dr. Sperber both enjoy treating the children of the practice. To help reduce anxiety and fear, we recommend having your child first come in to watch mom, dad or sibling’s appointments.
During these initial visits, we begin by giving them a ride in the chair, peeking in their mouth with a mirror, counting teeth and introducing them to dental instrument sounds. Around age 2 or 3, once they have become comfortable with visiting the dentist, they may be ready for their very own teeth cleaning appointment.
Our children’s dentistry offerings include treatments to reinforce and protect young teeth.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a thin white protective coating that is applied to the chewing surfaces of teeth – usually the back teeth – to prevent tooth decay by shielding the tooth against plaque, food and acids. With sealants, food glides over the teeth instead of getting stuck in the grooves. Sealants are most commonly placed in children’s permanent molars because they are prone to cavities, but they can also be placed on adult’s teeth. Ask us if sealants are right for your family.
Fluoride Treatment
At LetterSperber Dentistry we use Fluoride varnishes that, when applied to the teeth at regular dental visits, can significantly reduce the decay rate in children.
Orthodontic Evaluation
As children develop it is important to monitor early signs of jaw and teeth development. Digital panoramic x-rays beginning at age 6 or 7 along with careful dental examinations allow us to identify any irregularities in growth. This early diagnosis can result in timely referrals to orthodontist. In some cases, there may be early orthodontic treatments that can help limit the need for more costly and involved treatments in the future.
Nitrous Oxide
Most kids do great with dental treatment. However, if your child is anxious about treatment or has a strong gag reflex they can benefit from the use of Nitrous Oxide. Nitrous Oxide, also called “laughing gas” because it relaxes kids sometimes to the point of laughter, can help make the experience much more comfortable for your child.
It is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your child’s nose to help them relax. Your child will still be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions. The effects of nitrous oxide subside almost immediately, so they can return to normal activity following the dental appointment.
Mouth guards
Wearing a mouth guard during sporting events helps protect your teeth from structural damage to your teeth and jaw and also helps prevent injuries such as lacerations to your cheeks, tongue, and lips. Mouth guards have also been shown to help decrease the risk of concussions.
For the maximum level of comfort and protection, visit LetterSperber Dentistry for a custom mouth guard fitting. A custom mouth guard is created specifically for the optimal protection of YOUR mouth. It is created with thin plastic that is hardened to protect your teeth. The thinness of the custom mouth guard allows for easy breathing and also allows for easy communication.