Scheduling dental treatments for your family can seem like a hassle. Fortunately, Wesley Dental is here to streamline the dental care you need. Dr. Scott Marshall and John Taylor provide family dental services at Wesley Dental in Greenville, TX. Finding a dentist who can treat your family all under one roof means we can schedule different family members on the same day.
Family dentistry is also part of preventive, general dental care. We can maintain your and your child’s oral health with family dentistry services.
How to Prevent Cavities in Children
Dental cavities are a problem at any age and a leading dental problem among children. Children are more prone to cavities because of their oral hygiene and sugary diet.
Even as babies, children are prone to cavities. Baby bottle tooth decay occurs when parents send their children to bed with a bottle of formula. The sugars in the formula coat the teeth, attracting harmful bacteria, which leads to cavity formation.
Sugary snacks and drinks targeted at kids are another cavity creator. When left in the mouth, sugars and starches increase the risk of cavity formation. While you shouldn’t completely eliminate sugar from your child’s diet, ensure they drink enough water. You can also substitute sugary juices and sports drinks for water.
Teaching your child how to brush and floss once they’re old enough is another essential part of cavity prevention. If your child rushes when brushing and flossing, they can miss teeth in the back of the mouth.
Before brushing, your child should floss between each tooth. When brushing, your child should use a fluoride toothpaste and soft-bristled brush. Your child should brush twice a day for two minutes each time, moving from the front of their teeth to the chewing surfaces and the back of the teeth.
The proper flossing and brushing techniques will help clean every part of your mouth. Our Greenville dental office can also provide tips for you and your child to make brushing and flossing at home more fun.
Routine Children’s Dental Care
Our dental office ensures that your child feels as comfortable as possible. Our hygienists and dentists will ask your child questions to help distract them from treatment and get them to relax. We also encourage you to bring something familiar with them, like a toy or blanket, to their appointment. Your child can hold their toy or blanket while they get their cleaning.
During your child’s visit, we will first perform an exam, looking for signs of cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems. Then, we will perform a cleaning, removing food particles and harmful bacteria from the teeth and gums. After these cleanings, we may recommend fluoride or sealants, depending on your child’s age.
Fluoride is an essential mineral found in water and toothpaste. We can paint fluoride varnish on the teeth to remineralize the tooth enamel and strengthen your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are coverings we place on the back molars
The molars are most prone to cavities because they can be challenging to clean. After the grooves of the molars are clean, we apply dental sealants to prevent bacteria from affecting the molars.
Caring For Your Smile As You Age
Even if you do everything right by brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist, you may need extra care. As we age, we can experience changes in our dental health. Health changes are one of the most common reasons for increased dental problems.
Some medications and medical conditions can increase our risk of developing problems like gum disease:
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Blood pressure medications
- Antidepressants
You may also find that you need to treat problems like natural tooth wear and dental injuries over time. Our office provides restorative and cosmetic treatments like veneers, tooth bonding, and crowns to treat tooth damage. If you experience tooth loss, dental implants are the golden standard of tooth replacement. We can use implants to secure restorations like dentures so you don’t have to worry about your teeth slipping.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Family dentistry focuses on treatments for patients of all ages and stages of life. A family dentist serves children, teens, and adults. Learn more about family dentistry in our Greenville, TX, dental practice with answers to the following frequently asked questions.
When should I bring my child to the dentist?
You can schedule your child’s first dental visit when their first baby tooth emerges or by one year. We recommend bringing your child in for a dental exam and cleaning every six months after their first tooth erupts.
When should my child get dental sealants?
We recommend sealants when the first and second molars grow. Your child’s first molars typically come in around age 5 to 7. The second set of molars grow around ages 11 to 14. We will recommend sealants as soon as these molars emerge to prevent cavities.
How can I make the dentist fun for my child?
You can do many things before your child’s dental visits to make it more fun:
- Read them books about the dentist office, teeth, and oral health.
- Play dentist with them. Pretend they’re at the office and brush their teeth, or vice versa.
- Play dental-related games to get them excited about their visit.
Is fluoride safe for children?
Yes, fluoride is safe for children. However, fluoride is best in small amounts. We recommend that young children use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste when brushing.
Too much fluoride under the age of 8 can cause dental fluorosis, which discolors teeth. While fluorosis is harmless, your child can develop white spots on their teeth.
Can adults get fluoride treatment after dental cleanings?
Yes, adults can receive fluoride varnish after their dental cleaning. Fluoride is safe for children and adults. We often recommend fluoride treatments if you have demineralization and need to strengthen weakened teeth.
Visit our Greenville family dental office for fast and friendly family dentistry. Schedule a dental visit by calling us at 903-270-5279. You can also schedule a dental appointment with Dr. Taylor and Dr. Marshall online. Don’t hesitate to contact us with questions about scheduling or routine appointments!