Your child’s health is of the utmost importance to us here at Smiles of Chesapeake. We treat your little ones as if they were part of our own family and we take an enthusiastic, upbeat approach to every pediatric visit. Our goal is to provide excellent pediatric care and help your entire family get excited about their oral hygiene routine at home and in the office.
A child’s rear molars, the teeth at the back of their mouths, are at a higher risk of developing cavities because these teeth are used for chewing. If teeth are not cleaned correctly and regularly, oral bacteria will build up over time. Sugar and acids can make this oral bacteria grow even more rapidly. Dental sealants are an option to keep rear molars cavity-free by creating a clear barrier on top of the teeth to prevent them from coming into direct contact with harmful substances.
Fluoride treatments can strengthen your child’s tooth enamel and help them to avoid cavities, especially if your teeth are showing early signs of decay. This treatment is generally painless and non-invasive and involves a highly-concentrated paste or gel being applied to the teeth and then being wiped away after a few minutes. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has the unique ability to strengthen “soft spots” in your enamel and keep cavities from forming.
If one of your child’s primary teeth requires extraction due to decay or injury, space maintainers are an option to ensure that their permanent teeth grow correctly without complications. These appliances are used to keep teeth from shifting into the empty socket where your child’s primary tooth was previously. Any questions about extractions and space maintainers can be answered by one of our highly trained dentists.