Children's Dental Care

All of the dentists at our The Village of Cross Keys office can provide kids dental care, but we have several pediatric dentists on staff as well. A pediatric dentist has completed a minimum of two additional years of schooling in the field of pediatric dentistry. Children have special requirements when it comes to dentistry and our dentists are adept at providing the best dentistry for children that we can and instilling confidence in our young patients. If your child needs to see a children’s dentist, call us today at (443) 863-6394 and let us help you.

Should I Wait Until My Child Is of School Age to Schedule Dental Visits?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should begin dental visits when one tooth has fully erupted, but not later than the age of one year. A cavity can develop in just one tooth and if your child has two teeth that abut, then decay can form between them. Flossing can help prevent this, so it’s important to start flossing as soon as there are two adjacent teeth. Your children’s dentist in The Village of Cross Keys can show you how to floss your child’s teeth and prevent decay from forming. The practice of sending a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup full of milk or juice has contributed to a dramatic increase in baby bottle tooth decay. When the liquid remains on the teeth overnight, the sugars and acid in them begin to erode the tooth enamel and decay sets in. Never put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup unless it contains only clear, unflavored and unsweetened water – no juice, milk or formula. If you have questions on this, call us at (443) 863-6394 and we’ll be happy to help you.

What Should My Child and I Expect During the Initial Appointment?

When you and your child come to our office, your children’s dentist will examine the teeth and jaw for any issues and then make a recommendation for a course of treatment. If your child needs x-rays, we can take them, but children don’t usually require x-rays. Your kid’s dentist can conduct the examination while the child is seated in the dental chair or on your lap, whichever is more comfortable for both of you. Some of the dentistry for kids that we provide includes:

Teeth Cleaning: Kids need to receive regular cleanings from dental professionals to remove plaque and tartar.

Baby root canal: If your child has decay that has reached the root of the tooth, we may need to perform a baby root canal in order to save the tooth.

Fillings: If your child has a cavity, we can use either amalgam or a tooth-colored material to fill the tooth and restore functionality.

Crowns: If your child needs a filling but the cavity is too large to accommodate it, we can provide a dental crown.

Dental sealants: A sealant can seal the grooved backs of the teeth so that bacteria and food particles don’t get trapped and start the decay process.

Bonding: If your child has a crack or chip in one or more teeth, we can cover it with a tooth-colored substance that will restore the appearance of the tooth.

Fluoridation: Fluoride has the reputation of being a natural cavity fighter, and we can apply a topical fluoride treatment to your child’s teeth in order to protect against cavities and decay.

Mouthguards: A mouthguard can protect against severe damage to the teeth, such as getting a tooth knocked out or knocked loose, getting a tooth broken or getting a tooth chipped. If your child needs a custom-fitted mouthguard, call our children’s dental office in The Village of Cross Keys and we can help you. Call us today, don’t jeopardize your child’s teeth.

When Should My Child Start to Get Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth usually start to erupt when an infant is between 4 and 6 months old, although the exact age is specific to the child.

When Will My Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Baby teeth usually begin to fall out in the order they appeared and it’s usually around 5 or 6 years of age. The development of adult teeth takes several years, generally children will probably have their adult teeth by the time they reach puberty. If you need more information, be sure to call us at (443) 863-6394 and we’ll gladly answer your questions.

Why Does My Child Get So Many Toothaches?

Toothaches are usually due to decay or cavities, but the best person to answer that question is your children’s dentist. If your child is experiencing chronic toothaches, call our The Village of Cross Keys office at (443) 863-6394 and we’ll schedule an appointment with a children’s dentist in our office who can diagnose the problem.