Preventive Dental Care in Cypress and Katy
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Did you know…
Children should start seeing the dentist when their 1st tooth erupts.
What to expect at your child’s preventive dental care appointment
Thorough Cleaning
To begin, Dr. Julia or Dr. Chun will perform a quick oral exam and begin cleaning their teeth in our Cypress or Katy offices. Their teeth will be scaled to remove plaque and tartar, then brushed with a high-powered brush, and flossed to remove any remaining food particles and debris.
Necessary X-Rays
X-rays are not required at every dental appointment and are usually taken every few years to ensure your child’s oral development is on track. X-rays may be required if the dentist suspects cavities or an infection. If your child’s dentist determines that x-rays are needed, our team will take them with your permission.
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Comprehensive Exam
Your child’s dentist will use special dental tools to check for cavities, gum disease, and other signs of potential oral health issues. They will also view your child’s x-rays and health history to aid in diagnosis. Then, the dentist will discuss with you any problems or potential issues they may have found during the examination.
Treatment Plan
If your child has dental issues that need to be addressed, such as cavities, gum disease, or an infected tooth, their dentist will develop a treatment plan and discuss it with you. Once both you and your child understand the issues and how we can fix them, we can schedule your child’s follow up appointment for treatment.
Follow up appointment
Our Cypress team can help you schedule your child’s next cleaning and exam, and also any appointments for additional treatment. It’s important that your child gets the care they need from a dental team they know and trust, so stay on top of their appointments and help us keep their smile strong and healthy.
Preventive Treatments in Cypress & Katy
Cleaning & exams
Routine dental cleanings and oral exams are the most important part of preventive care. With regular cleanings, you can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar on your child’s teeth and reduce their risk of gum disease and cavities. With routine oral exams from our Cypress and Katy dental offices, you can get insights on their oral health, how to care for their teeth properly, and information about preventive treatments like dental sealants and fluoride, which can help protect their teeth from bacteria and decay.
Digital X-Rays
Digital x-rays are the best choice for kids, since they are very fast, provide high-resolution images, and expose children to less radiation. X-rays will typically be recommended only if your child’s dentist thinks that your kid needs them, typically every few years, or more frequently if your child is at high risk for oral disease like tooth decay or gum disease.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy or laser dentistry involves special lasers that can be used to remove soft tissue, such as gum tissue, as well as hard tissue like tooth enamel. They’re very comfortable for the patient, reduce bleeding, and allow your child’s mouth to heal more quickly, making these tools ideal for pediatric dentistry in Cypress.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride treatments consist of a fluoride gel or paste that is “painted” onto your child’s teeth after a teeth cleaning. The fluoride helps remineralize and strengthen your child’s teeth, and can even reverse “soft spots” which are the first stage of tooth decay.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is an alternative to fillings for cavities in baby teeth. It uses a blend of silver, ammonia, water, and fluoride that kills bacteria and seals your child’s tooth, preventing further decay and keeping the tooth healthy until it falls out naturally. It’s only used in baby teeth because it will permanently stain the treated area black.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants use a transparent liquid resin, which is applied directly to the teeth and is hardened using a UV light. This creates an impenetrable seal on your child’s tooth, which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. This treatment at our offices in Katy and Cypress is usually recommended specifically for the cavity-prone rear teeth.
Oral Cancer Screenings
Oral cancer screenings are an essential part of preventive care, even for children. Screenings are a part of your child’s oral exams and can be performed quickly, safely, and usually without your child noticing.
The Cypress and Katy pediatric dentist will examine your child’s mouth, gums, and oral tissues, and look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other such abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy may be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or the dentist will refer you to a specialist directly.
Dental visits every 6 months allow your child’s dentist to become familiar with their oral health, so they can address any issues before they become larger problems.
Did you know…
Kids laugh around 40 times per day.
Have questions about preventive dentistry for your child? Find answers here.
How can I ensure my child is brushing properly?
You should brush your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes until they’re 6 years old, or are able to tie their shoes on their own. After this, we recommend making brushing a family activity. You can demonstrate proper technique to your children, and make sure they’re brushing regularly.
How do I floss my child’s teeth?
You will need to floss your child’s teeth for them until they’re about 10, since it’s a lot harder to learn proper flossing technique than it is to learn proper brushing technique.
Flossing your child’s teeth will not be dissimilar to flossing your own. Depending on their age, you may need to find a toy or distraction to keep them entertained while you floss their teeth. Floss holders may be helpful for toddlers so they don’t bite your fingers. Just make sure you’re flossing between every two teeth that make contact and behind their most rear molar.
We recommend flossing your child’s teeth once per day, and having them rinse with water or mouthwash after flossing to remove any food particles that were dislodged during the process.
Why are my child’s baby teeth important?
Healthy baby teeth are essential for your child to eat and chew properly, and damaged or decayed baby teeth can cause them a lot of pain and discomfort. Though they will fall out naturally as your child ages, your child’s baby teeth should remain in place until they fall out on their own. If they lose one or more teeth prematurely, this can affect their future oral development. This is because baby teeth help form the “paths” that the adult teeth follow when they emerge. If your child loses one or more baby teeth prematurely, this can lead to future oral development problems.
Is my child’s preventive care covered by my dental insurance?
Yes. Almost every dental insurance plan covers preventive care, like six-month cleanings and exams, for dependents. Fluoride treatments and dental sealants may also be covered, in some cases, at our Cypress and Katy practices. However, coverage for each insurer and dental plan varies, so our team recommends consulting directly with your insurer to learn about coverage limits for pediatric preventive care, covered treatments, and other such information.
Did you know…
Around 85% of children see the dentist regularly.
