During your child’s regular appointment, they will experience a thorough yet gentle cleaning to help prevent cavities and also encourage good overall oral health. We use this time to educate and review good hygiene habits and of course answer any questions. Our toothpastes come in all the best flavors with allergy and sensitivity options for everyone!
Did you know the World Health Organization mentions fluoride as one of the Ten Great Public Health Achievements of the past century? This is because of its ability to help prevent dental cavities. Dr. Foster and her team will work with you to determine if fluoride is the right fit for your child. We use unit doses to ensure that your child will never get “too” much and promise to always use kid friendly flavors.
SDF is an antibiotic liquid use to prevent cavities from developing, getting bigger, or spreading to other teeth. It’s a noninvasive, painless, and highly effective treatment used in certain cases
Dr. Foster and her team only take x-rays when necessary. They follow a “prescription radiology” approach. What does this mean? It means that they evaluate and assess each child and only take x-rays based on cavity risk or an inability to clinically view certain sides of the teeth. At Timnath Kids Dentistry, we use the latest digital x-rays which use up to 90% less radiation!
Think of a tooth’s top (chewing) surface as mountains with many grooves. When your child eats, food gets caught in those grooves. Although daily brushing is essential, applying a dental sealant will enhance the ability to keep those hard-to-reach areas clean. A dental sealant flows into the grooves, “sealing” the tooth and reducing the probability of cavities.
Should your child have a cavity, we use a resin tooth-colored filling to restore function and comfort to your child’s tooth. These fillings restore teeth to an attractive, healthy state! We are an amalgam free dental office.
If your child’s cavity is too large to restore with a tooth-colored filling, a crown may be recommended. Crowns help protect the baby teeth, providing structure for the tooth. Crowning a tooth also maintains the space, allowing the eventual permanent tooth to erupt properly. If you are concerned about a silver crown, talk to Dr. Foster about the possibility of a tooth-colored crown!
Nerve treatments are often needed when the cavity approaches the tooth’s nerve
(pulp). These procedures stops the progression of the cavity and minimizes the chances
of an infection or abscess.
The baby teeth serve as space holders for the permanent teeth. With the loss of a baby tooth, neighboring teeth start migrating into that vacant space, potentially causing problems as your child grows. This loss may lead to the need for extensive orthodontic treatment at a later age. A space maintainer is placed in that area to hold the space open so that the adult tooth can erupt in a more appropriate position.
Your child may need to have a tooth extracted. Most often, extractions are indicated due to infection or for orthodontic purposes. Dr. Foster will review your child’s needs and discuss treatment options with you.
