Treating Your Child’s Cavities

happy boy

Adopting healthy habits is an important part of a child’s development. When it comes to their smiles, learning to properly brush and floss their teeth goes a long way toward preventing tooth decay. But because little hands are still mastering their hygienic skills, cavities can form from time to time. By taking your child to their checkup, we can detect the signs of tooth decay before they grow out of proportion and provide a treatment to restore their smile. Early detection can mean using a dental filling instead of needing a more robust solution, such as a dental crown. When we secure a child’s tooth until it is time to naturally fall out, we help their jaws develop properly with an even bite.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we provide dental services for patients of all ages. We take pride in teaching children the basics of oral health so that they can enjoy beautiful teeth as they grow into adolescence. We suggest bringing your little one to a dental checkup twice per year to inspect their at-home efforts. When we detect problems such as tooth decay or gum infection, we will suggest beginning treatment right away to get their issue under control.

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A Pulpotomy Preserves Your Child’s Tooth When Treating Infection

Girl at dentist

It can break your heart to see your child in pain. If they complain about an ache in one of their teeth, it is important to visit the dentist as soon as possible. This symptom typically implies a bacterial treatment that lies inside the pulp of the tooth. That is why we offer emergency visits outside of standard checkups to resolve a child’s pain and help them preserve their smiles. At this age, we can perform a procedure called a pulpotomy that preserves the healthy portion of your child’s pulp. While traditional root canal therapy removes the entirety of the pulp structure, your child’s tooth will continue to live after treating their bacterial infection.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we help our little patients preserve their developing smiles. This is why we do not typically recommend removing their baby teeth when they have symptoms of decay or infection. Because their jaws are still growing, maintaining their total bite is crucial to developing their healthy oral structures. After treating the immediate concern, we can review what behaviors may have contributed to the infection and provide advice on preventive strategies to lower the risk of future oral harm.

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Treating Tooth Decay In Children

Happy child portraitBy teaching your child the importance of oral hygiene, they can practice their brushing and flossing skills to maintain a healthy smile. To complement these practices, you should schedule regular dental checkups to receive professional cleanings and an examination of their daily efforts. Because kids are still mastering their at-home care, these routine visits help prevent damage from oral plaque and detect cavities and other harms shortly after they appear. This means that a six-month schedule helps us repair decaying teeth before cavities have a chance to get out of hand. Early detection can lead to a more conservative treatment such as a dental filling over a more involved procedure with a dental crown.

At your Shirley, NY, orthodontist and pediatric dentist, we take a preventive attitude toward helping children care for their smiles. This means removing plaque and tartar regularly to protect the integrity of their smile’s enamel. By restoring teeth when we discover signs of decay, we help them maintain the alignment of their bite to aid the proper development of their jaw.

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We Provide Dental Services For Young Children

Portrait of happy small caucasian boyLearning habits to best protect your smile begins in early childhood. This is because kids, just like their parents, are susceptible to the tooth-eroding effects of oral plaque. By scheduling your child’s first dental appointments, you provide the opportunity for them to learn the importance of brushing and flossing from a professional. These visits allow us to see that their teeth are growing in on schedule and in the proper position. By examining the results of their at-home care, we create teachable moments when highlighting areas that may need a little more attention.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we encourage you to bring your little one in at least twice per year to receive preventative care. At this critical time in their development, protecting their teeth from cavities and gum disease helps build strong smiles that last the rest of their lives. You can set a positive example by scheduling your appointments with us as well as we serve all members of the Shirley, NY community. By taking time to learn the importance of early childhood dental visits, you can give your young one the care they deserve!

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Selecting Orthodontic Treatment To Straighten Your Teeth

Teenage girl with dental braces

When it comes to orthodontic methods for correcting the spacing of your teeth, modern advancements provide multiple treatments to select from. What you will learn when you study the differences between each is that approach the same goals through different technology. For younger patients, we often suggest the robust corrective ability of traditional metal braces. This is because, in adolescence, your jaw is still quite malleable. Braces can provide the strength necessary to straighten the most crooked teeth. For others with less severe malocclusion, we could also provide treatment with clear aligners from Invisalign. With their translucent appearance, clear aligners provide a more discreet option for those who would like to keep their treatment under wraps. When you come in for a consultation, we will happily discuss the benefits of each.

At your Shirley, NY, orthodontist and pediatric dentist, we can help straighten your smile to provide important health and cosmetic benefits. With either traditional braces or clear aligners, you can enjoy a more uniform grin that can be easier to clean. This helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease from further affecting your smile’s look.

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