According to the American Dental Association, a child’s first dental exam with a pediatric dentist should happen soon after the first baby tooth comes in, or by the time the child turns 1 year old. Even though baby’s first teeth are temporary, getting an early start on excellent dental hygiene practices will help your child enjoy good oral health for life.
What Is a Children’s Dentist?
A children’s dentist specializes in dentistry that focuses on providing gentle and compassionate dental care to children from infancy through adolescence. At Ark-La-Tex Pediatric Dentistry, Texarkana and New Boston children’s dentist Dr. Brian Steele understands the unique needs of young, vulnerable primary (baby) teeth and how best to preserve your child’s oral health as they grow and develop.
Child development and psychology are key components of children’s dentistry. Dr. Steele creates an environment that is warm, fun, and inviting for little ones, and he knows how to provide treatments in a way that helps children avoid developing dental phobias, so they can look forward to their regular visits to our office.
Pediatric Dentistry Treatments
At Ark-La-Tex Pediatric Dentistry, fostering trust with children at an early age, while helping them develop excellent at-home oral hygiene habits, is our primary goal. Our children’s dentistry practice encompasses a broad base of services and treatments that allows Dr. Steele to help care for and maintain your child’s oral health as they grow and develop. These include:
- Infant oral health exams
- Digital x-rays and cleanings
- Sealants
- Fluoride treatments
- Diagnosis and safe treatment of dental disorders
- At-home dental care education
- Orthodontic evaluation
- Care for dental injuries
Starting regular checkups early in your child’s life allows us to catch decay and signs of gum disease before they become serious, so we can correct any underlying hygiene issues and prevent problems. As your child grows, we can provide treatments such as sealants to protect new, vulnerable permanent teeth from decay, as well as mouth guards to protect the teeth of your budding sports enthusiast. We can also identify and address potential orthodontic problems before they evolve into bigger money- and time-consuming issues.
