Children’s Dentistry – Gainesville, GA
Helping Smiles Grow Up To Be Healthy
At Lifetime Dental of Gainesville, we understand how difficult it can be to take care of all of your family’s health needs. That’s why your dentist in Gainesville offers treatments for patients of all ages, so parents, children, and grandparents can get the high-quality dental healthcare they need under the same roof. We understand how important a child’s early visits to the dentist are, which is why our team does everything we can to make a good first impression, so they actually look forward to taking care of their smiles. We also provide multiple sedation services if the thought of visiting the dentist makes your child feel scared or anxious. If you would like your family to receive the best quality of dental care, don’t hesitate to contact our office today to book their appointments.
Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
Just like you, it’s recommended that your child visit our office every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Their first appointments should typically be scheduled by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears in their mouth. These appointments are a great way to get your child familiar with their oral health as well as their children’s dentist in Gainesville and tend to be completely stress-free.
As your little one begins to grow, we’ll provide them with a more thorough appointment that may include a professional cleaning as well as a checkup. Our goal is to give your little one the knowledge and tools they need to take care of their smiles and build healthy habits at an early age. Not only does this encourage them to brush and floss regularly, but it also provides them with a great foundation to reduce their oral health risks as adults.
Kid-Friendly Fluoride Treatment
At Lifetime Dental of Gainesville, we don’t just provide checkups and cleanings. We also offer a great preventive dental solution for children called fluoride treatment. It’s completely painless and fast and helps strengthen their enamel to protect their growing pearly whites from common issues among children, such as cavities and early tooth loss. Although we’ve labeled this as a “kid-friendly” treatment, it’s also great for adults as well!
At-Home Children’s Oral Health Tips
We strive to provide your child with all of the tools they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy throughout their life. As a parent, you’re often their primary source of information as well as an oral health mentor. Here are some tips to help your child keep their mouth healthy at home:
- Teach them how to properly brush and floss their teeth.
- Encourage a nutritious and healthy diet.
- Take them to visit their dentist for kids in Gainesville every six months.
- Be sure to switch out their toothbrush every three months.
- Consider preventive dental treatments such as fluoride.
- Reward your child with privileges around the house when they are diligent about brushing and flossing.
When you visit our office, we’ll be more than happy to provide you with additional tips to help keep your family’s mouths healthy and happy.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual, so it’s natural to have some questions about how to best care for your child’s precious smile. For your convenience, we’ve gathered a few of the most common questions about children’s oral health care below to help you feel as prepared as possible. We’ll also be more than happy to answer your questions when you give us a call or during your son or daughter’s first dental appointment!
How Can I Prepare My Child for Their First Dental Appointment?
Your son or daughter’s first dental appointment is meant to act as an introduction to all the new sights, sounds, and friendly faces they’ll encounter when visiting their Gainesville children’s dentist. To help it go as smoothly as possible, you can help them prepare by:
- Using a positive, excited tone when talking about visiting the dentist.
- Watching videos or reading books for children about regular dental checkups.
- Practice their upcoming appointment by having them sit in a chair while you count their teeth aloud with a toothbrush.
- Scheduling their appointment during a time when they’re typically in a good mood, such as after a meal or nap.
How Do Fluoride Treatments Work?
A fluoride treatment is a quick, safe, and easy way to protect your little one’s precious smile as they learn how to brush and floss. We simply paint a small amount of fluoride varnish onto your child’s teeth, where it will harden into place before it can be easily brushed off in a few hours. The entire process only takes a few minutes and is completely painless. The fluoride in the varnish will seep into your son or daughter’s enamel, where it will bind with the existing minerals. Not only will this strengthen their teeth, but it will help prevent tooth decay from developing.
Does Thumb-Sucking Influence My Child’s Oral Development?
Thumb-sucking is a natural reflex in children. Typically, most children will grow out of this habit by the time they’re four years old. However, if they continue to suck their thumb at six years old, they may influence the development of the permanent teeth that are coming in. The extra pressure caused by thumb-sucking can cause crooked permanent teeth, bite misalignment, and other orthodontic issues. We’ll keep a close eye on your little one’s oral health development as you bring them in for their routine checkups, and will be happy to give you guidance on helping your child break this bad habit if it becomes a problem.
What Should I Do If My Child Knocks Out a Baby Tooth Unexpectedly?
In most cases, your little one’s baby teeth will fall out after several days of wobbly anticipation. However, if your child takes a blow to the face, they may knock out a tooth that hadn’t become loose yet. In these situations, we encourage you to call us right away. We’ll need to evaluate their smile to see if any action needs to be taken. If the tooth was knocked out very prematurely, we may need to place a space saver to prevent the neighboring teeth from crowding into the gap and trapping the permanent tooth underneath.