Dental Care For Children – Dental Sealants, Tooth Extractions and Teeth Whitening

Dental decay is the most common and largely preventable chronic disease of childhood. However, many children lack access to needed oral health care services.

Pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to treat the dental and behavioral needs of infants, children and adolescents. They receive extra years of schooling, training and experience to help ensure your child has a positive dental visit.

Regular Checkups & Cleanings

The first dental visit should be just after a child’s first birthday. At this initial appointment, we build a relationship between your child dentistry Raleigh NC and the dentist so that he or she can feel at ease during subsequent visits. The doctor will also share information about your child’s oral health and development. Regular dental checkups are essential to maintain a healthy smile. The doctor can remove plaque, tartar, and other signs of tooth decay during these visits. He or she can also apply fluoride treatments to keep teeth their strongest.

Regular cleanings are an important part of preventive dentistry, removing the hard-to-reach plaque that brushing and flossing misses. We can also provide sealants to protect children’s permanent back teeth, called molars, from developing cavities. These “seals” the deep grooves of these teeth, preventing them from harboring plaque and acid that can damage enamel.

We also take this opportunity to educate patients and families on proper brushing and flossing techniques. By helping them understand why these habits are so important, we can encourage and support them as they work to develop strong, healthy smiles. X-rays can be used during these visits to spot hidden problems such as small cavities or orthodontic irregularities. These are often the only way to detect these problems before they enlarge, and early detection is the best way to reduce a child’s risk of future dental complications.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a thin plastic coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of a child’s back teeth (molars and premolars) to prevent future tooth decay. These teeth have deep grooves and pits that can trap food particles and bacteria, making them especially prone to cavities. When a tooth is sealed, the grooves and pits become smooth, and the biting surface of the teeth is covered, creating a barrier that makes it easier to clean the teeth.

Sealants are most effective when applied to children’s teeth soon after their permanent molars and premolars come in, which is typically between the ages of 6 and 12. However, adults can also receive sealants on healthy teeth to help prevent cavities in deep molar grooves, or on existing fillings as an added layer of protection.

Sealants are a quick and painless procedure that can be completed during a regular cleaning appointment. First, the dentist will clean and dry the tooth before applying a solution that etching the surface of the tooth to create a rough texture that will help the sealant bond with the tooth. Then, the dentist will apply the sealant and use a curing light to harden it. The sealants will last for years if properly cared for, but the dentist will check their condition at each visit and may recommend touch-ups.

Tooth Extractions

Sometimes even with a diligent oral care regimen, teeth get damaged. Infected, broken or severely decayed teeth may need to be removed. We always try to save the tooth whenever possible by performing root canals or other restorative treatments, but occasionally a tooth extraction may be necessary. Depending on the case, our doctors will review your child dentistry Raleigh NC needs and provide alternative options to restore the tooth.

Our doctors and team are trained to work with kids to make the dental experience positive. This can help them develop a lifetime of good oral health habits. It also helps parents understand and support their children’s dental goals and decisions.

Our pediatric dentists are board certified which means they have extra years of schooling, training and experience in treating the unique dental needs of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special healthcare needs. Our doctors are dedicated to creating positive, comfortable and safe dental experiences for all of our patients.

Teeth Whitening

If stains or discoloration have been holding you back from showing off your smile, teeth whitening may be right for you. Teeth whitening uses a bleaching agent to make your teeth whiter and brighter. It’s not a medical procedure and doesn’t result in healthier teeth, but it can be an excellent confidence booster.

Most whitening products consist of a carbamide peroxide bleach component that breaks down on exposure to water to release hydrogen peroxide which lightens tooth color. Different whitening product types are marketed to address specific stain categories and the results they achieve are dependent on the type of bleaching mechanism employed.

Bleaching is thought to work by lightening the chromogens accumulated in or on the surface of the teeth (intrinsic stains) and/or by bleaching the chromogens deposited in the deeper parts of the tooth (extrinsic stains). However, a growing body of research suggests that aggressive whitening regimens can dehydrate and demineralize the tooth, leading to a temporary increase in tooth sensitivity that usually normalizes within days.

It’s important to remember that whitening will only lighten the natural color of your teeth, not cover up stains from dental work like bonding or crowns. Also, consuming foods and drinks with a strong color such as coffee, tea, red wine, or curry can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment.