Children’s Dental Care
About 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have at least one cavity. Statistically, boys are more likely than girls to have cavities. In addition, those living at or below the poverty level are significantly more likely than their higher-income peers to have cavities. Thankfully, children’s dentistry at Signature Smile Arts can reverse this trend and reduce the number of oral health issues affecting children.
Why Is Regular Dental Care Important for Children?
You should make an appointment with Signature Smile Arts once a year and additional appointments if problems arise. You might like to make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a back-to-school exam, so your child looks and feels their best on their first day back after summer. Studies show that children with poor oral health often miss more school days and receive lower grades than those with excellent oral health. Additionally, untreated cavities can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. Pain and infections are also common in children with untreated cavities.
Basic Dental Exam
Your child’s dentist and dental team will start each appointment at Signature Smile Arts with a basic dental exam. They’ll look at the teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure everything looks fine. We may also see how many baby teeth are left for younger children. Cavities are common in kid’s dentistry, so our dentist will be looking to see if your child’s teeth are in good shape. If they find cavities, the dentist may fill them that day, or they may make another appointment to have the cavities filled later.
Teeth Cleaning
At your child’s annual appointment, our dental hygienist will clean their teeth. They start by using a special device to scrape away plaque and tartar from around the gum line. Once this is finished, they will brush your child’s teeth with a powerful electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste. This helps remove any tartar left behind after scraping. Then, they will floss the teeth, and your child will rinse to get rid of any leftover debris in the mouth.
Dental Sealants
You can choose to have dental sealants placed on your child’s teeth during their annual visit. Dental sealants are thin, plastic tooth coatings that help prevent tooth decay, and the dentist applies them to your child’s teeth after they’ve been cleaned. A special light is used to harden the sealant.
Dental Fillings
If our dentist finds any cavities in your child’s mouth, they may fill them that day. However, if there isn’t enough time or multiple cavities, the dentist may set an appointment for you to come back to have them filled. Before they fill the cavities, the dentist applies a numbing gel to the gums. They then use a special tool to drill out the cavity. The hole is filled with a dental filling, and the dentist may polish or adjust the tooth so your child’s bite feels normal.
Children’s Dentistry Is Essential for Good Oral Health
Routine dental checkups are essential for your child’s oral health. Make sure your child visits at least once a year. Contact our dental office in Chicago today to schedule your child’s appointment.
