What To Expect At Your Child's First Dental Visit
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Achieving a healthy smile is important for your entire family, especially your children. At Byers Station Dental, a family dentistry dental practice, we encourage all parents to make their child’s first dental visit before their first birthday. This is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. After their first pediatric dentistry visit, we recommend visiting our Chester Springs, PA office at least twice a year for dental exams and dental cleanings. We will assess how their teeth are developing, look for any potential problems, and offer oral hygiene tips you can follow from home. Our dental team offers many services to treat our young patients, including cavity prevention services, such as dental sealants, tooth-colored fillings for cavities, and more.
What to expect at your child’s first visit to the dentist
The first dental visit to Byers Station Dental should take about 30 – 45 minutes. Depending on your child’s age, we will do a full exam of their teeth, gums, jaw, bite, and oral tissues to look for development and any abnormal growths. If necessary, we may do a gentle cleaning, which polishes the teeth and removes plaque, stains, or tartar. We won’t perform X-rays as baby teeth fall out. However, later on, X-rays may be taken at a pediatric dentistry visit to look for tooth decay. If we see problems with development, we may use an X-ray to see if the root of a baby tooth is affecting the eruption of an adult one.
What are dental sealants?
During a dental visit with your child in Chester Springs, PA, we may recommend dental sealants. Dental sealants are thin coatings painted on the chewing sides of the back teeth to help prevent tooth decay. They cover them with a protectant that can block out germs and foods. At Byers Station Dental, we believe that sealants are underutilized since they can prevent up to 80% of all cavities for children. They are most effective when applied soon after permanent molars come into the mouth, around age six for first molars.
Caring for your child’s smile from home
Our dental team recommends pediatric dental services based on the needs of each patient. If we detect a dental problem during your child’s first dental visit, we will explain what treatment options are available. We recommend a regular oral hygiene routine for all children, including brushing and flossing. We believe parents should help younger children with their oral hygiene until they are old enough to care for their teeth and gums effectively. This helps prevent tooth decay.
Are pediatric dentistry services covered by insurance?
Our team at Byers Station Dental can review all financial obligations with you regarding insurance before treatment begins. For those without dental insurance, we can explain the payment options available.
Begin your child’s road to healthy teeth and gums
Help your child develop good oral health habits by scheduling a child’s first dental visit as early as possible. At Byers Station Dental, our dental team in Chester Springs, PA, believes in preventive dentistry that helps keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy, and feeling and looking their best. To schedule a comprehensive dental exam for your child today, call our Chester Springs, PA dental office today.