Children's Dental Care in Lakeland

What Is Childrens Dentistry?

Also called a pediatric dentist, a childrens dentist is someone who has finished dental school and completed at least two more years of training to treat kids’ dental needs. Our dental practice offers specialized dentistry for children to ensure that they remain comfortable during visits. We also provide helpful tips for practicing proper oral hygiene at home.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, every child should visit a children’s dentist by his or her first birthday. Kids can get cavities as soon as their teeth come in. Baby bottle tooth decay, for instance, can occur in babies and toddlers when their formula, milk, juice or other sugary items sit on their teeth. Also, flossing is essential as soon as two teeth touch each other. Ask us for more information about brushing and flossing your child’s teeth at home.

What Should You Expect During Your Child’s Dental Visit?

For kids dental care, our dentists will assess your child’s jaw and teeth alignment for potential problems. We can perform this exam in a dental chair or while your kid sits on your lap, whichever is most comfortable. Our children’s dentist in Lakeland can take X-rays if necessary.

Which Dental Services Are for Children?

As a practice that offers dentistry for kids, our team uses several services to help you maintain your kid’s healthy smile. These include:

• Teeth Cleaning – Our compassionate touch can get your child to open his or her mouth so that we can get teeth clean.

• Fluoride Treatment – Fluoride for children’s teeth is important to fight cavities. It integrates into the teeth enamel to help it resist decay.

• Dental Sealants – Sealants for kids fill in the grooves of back teeth to protect them from bacteria and food that gets trapped and could cause cavities.

• Fillings – Filling cavities in children involves carefully removing the damaged parts of the teeth and repairing the opening with an amalgam or tooth-colored filling.

• Pediatric Crowns – When cavities are too big for fillings, we can insert crowns on baby teeth to protect them from further damage.

• Mouth Guards – It’s important to protect teeth during athletic activities, such as gymnastics and football. Mouth guards cushion blows to the face to reduce the risk of knocked out or broken teeth. At night, mouth guards protect kids’ teeth from grinding in their sleep.

When Do Baby Teeth Emerge and Fall Out?

The first baby teeth coming in are usually the lower central incisors at about six to ten months of age. At about eight to 12 months, the upper central incisors begin to emerge. The rest of the teeth follow and finish coming in by three years old.

When your child turns six or seven, the lower and upper incisor baby teeth start falling out and make room for permanent adult teeth. In most cases, all of the baby teeth fall out by age 12. At every stage, it’s important to see a kids dentist to make sure that your child’s teeth are healthy and growing properly. Talk to our dentists in Lakeland to learn more about when baby teeth come in and fall out.

What Causes Children’s Toothaches?

Toothaches can be the result of teeth coming in, sinus infections, earaches, and sores in the mouth. However, they could also be caused by tooth decay from eating or drinking sugary items or from poor dental hygiene. Call our childrens dentist to determine the cause and get relief for your child’s toothache.