Shirley, NY, Dental CheckupsWhen was the last time your child visited the dentist for a teeth cleaning and exam? If it has been more than half a year, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience. Children’s smiles are exposed to the same risks as their parents, but because kids sometimes lack healthy hygiene habits, they can receive even more benefits from scheduled care. At each visit, we can monitor the development of your little one’s grin and provide any necessary additional services to help them stay on course. We offer fluoride treatments and dental sealants to help kids maintain healthy teeth, resistant to decay, as they learn to fully brush, floss, and take care of their smile. By taking them to our office regularly, they learn the importance of routine care, a habit that will be ingrained through adulthood.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we provide services for every member of the family! That makes us a convenient one-stop shop for all of your oral care needs. When it comes to servicing little smiles, we look forward to watching your young ones grow into healthy adolescents. By protecting baby teeth until it is time for them to fall out, we ensure that your child’s jaw develops fully. This means we do not pull baby teeth early as an initial treatment for cavities or infections.

When Is It Time For A Child’s First Checkup?

We suggest bringing your little one to their first appointment when their first tooth appears or by their first birthday, whichever happens first. At this visit, we will perform a simple knee-to-knee lap exam that introduces your baby to the dentist. As you hold your child, we will inspect their oral structures to see that everything is coming in on schedule. Around age 2, we will suggest scheduling six-month checkups to receive cleanings and examinations moving forward. These regular visits create a dental record that quickly identifies any problems that are present in your child’s teeth.

Additional Services To Protect Little Smiles

We end each child’s checkup with a fluoride application to protect their enamel until the next appointment. This treatment reinforces the strength of their protective layer by remineralizing to prevent damage from acidic decay. When your son or daughter receives their first molars, we will apply dental sealants that provide a physical barrier against debris and plaque. Because kids are still learning to fully brush, this provides great support for back teeth that are hard to reach.

Schedule Your Child’s Next Dental Appointment In Shirley, NY

By beginning dental treatment early, your little one can enjoy a healthy smile that lasts a lifetime. These first checkups provide the opportunity to monitor your child’s development and provide corrective action early when they are most receptive. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY at (631) 399-1600.