Pediatric Dentistry
Are your kids due for a checkup? Or do they need fillings or other dental work? Routine care and prompt dental treatments help them keep their teeth and gums in good shape. Our team offers pediatric dentistry in New Orleans, LA, including regular exams, special needs dentistry, sedation dentistry, and much more!
What Is Pediatric Dentistry?
It’s a type of dentistry that focuses on caring for children’s teeth and gums. Pediatric dental services cover many aspects of oral health in kids, from routine cleanings to treatments for decay, gum inflammation, and other problems that can occur.
Why Choose a Pediatric Dental Office for Your Child?
You can have your kids see almost any type of dentist for care. But seeing pediatric dentists comes with many advantages that benefit your child and ensure that they receive the care needed for proper tooth growth during childhood. Some of these benefits include the following:
- Specialized training
- Education on oral health
- Child-friendly environment
Specialized Training
Pediatric dentists have training that focuses on working with children and providing high-quality care. That includes postdoctoral education in child-related areas, such as behavior modification. This training allows pediatric dentists to provide dental care for children of all ages, including those with special needs.
Education on Oral Health
Seeing a pediatric dentist isn’t just about getting dental care. Our dentists also provide valuable information and advice to help you and your child understand how to maintain healthy baby teeth and permanent teeth as they get older.
Comfortable and Calming Environment
Do your kids feel anxious about going to the dentist? Being in a calm and stress-free place helps. General dental offices may not provide this kind of atmosphere. But our dental team knows how important it is to make kids feel right at home. That helps them feel calm during visits, making it easier for our dental team to provide care.
What Services Are Offered?
At Uptown Pediatric Dentistry, we provide several dental services for pediatric patients. Some of these include:
- Routine cleanings and checkups
- Dental sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Custom mouthguards for sports and teeth grinding
- Tongue tie releases
- Sedation dentistry
- Special needs dentistry
Cleanings and Exams
Your kids may wonder why they need to come in for cleanings if they brush and floss at home. These visits make absolutely sure that their teeth are free of tartar and plaque that can cause decay. We clean and examine their teeth to look for problems, like decay.
Sealants
Kids often struggle to clean their molars and premolars, especially the grooves on the surfaces. Dental sealants are coatings we place on top of these teeth to guard these areas from bacteria and decay.
Fluoride
Silver diamine fluoride offers a great way to reduce your child’s risk of getting cavities. It helps make enamel stronger, making it harder for bacteria to cause cavities. We can apply this fast-acting solution to your child’s teeth during routine exams — no extra appointments needed!
Mouthguards
Wearing a custom-made mouthguard helps protect your child’s teeth from injuries while playing sports. Or they may benefit from wearing one while sleeping if they have a habit of grinding their teeth.
Tongue Tie Releases
Does your baby have trouble feeding? If it’s due to a tongue tie that limits tongue movement, we offer releases that are fast and painless.
Special Needs Dentistry
Our dental team has training and experience providing oral health care to children with special needs. We know how to make kids feel welcome at our office and take other steps to ensure that they’re able to receive care.
Sedation Dentistry
We offer sedation to help kids feel less anxious about dental visits, including nitrous oxide and conscious sedation.
When Should Kids Visit the Dentist?
Our dentists want to see your kids twice a year for cleanings and exams. We may recommend more frequent appointments if your kids have certain dental issues, so we can keep an eye on these problems or address them as needed.
How to Prepare Kids for Dental Visits
Do your kids fear dental appointments? We recommend the following to help them feel ready for visits with our pediatric dentists:
- Show your kids photos of our office ahead of time
- Stay calm when talking to them about upcoming visits
- Gently remind them how important it is to have clean teeth and gums
Pediatric Dentistry FAQs
How can I protect my child from cavities?
Worried about your kids getting tooth decay? That’s understandable! Routine cleanings, sealants, and fluoride all help lower the risk of cavities in children. Practicing good oral health habits at home, such as regular brushing, also helps.
Why do kids get cavities?
In many cases, it’s due to poor brushing. Kids need to thoroughly clean all surfaces of their teeth to get rid of food particles that attract bacteria — and lead to decay. But that’s easier said than done. That’s why cleanings and sealants are needed.
Should my child get sealants?
Yes, we strongly recommend getting dental sealants. They play a big role in protecting your child’s molars and premolars from cavities. They’re a safe way to stop bacteria from entering the tooth or causing plaque to build up on surfaces.
How can I keep my child’s teeth safe while playing sports?
Does your child play football or other sports? Certain activities have a higher risk of mouth injuries that can knock out teeth or damage them in other ways. Wearing a custom mouthguard can help prevent this from happening.
What should I do if my child grinds their teeth?
Have you heard tooth grinding or seen other signs that your child does this? A custom mouthguard worn at night can help stop them from clenching their jaw.
Visit Us for Pediatric Dental Care!
Do your kids need a checkup or any other types of dental services? Our team would love to help! We offer comprehensive pediatric dentistry in New Orleans, LA. Our dentists are here to help your kids maintain healthy gums and teeth during childhood!
