A regular dental exam for kids is important to safeguard your child’s oral health. One of our pediatric dentists will be able to diagnose the problem early on, while treatment options are less invasive, and provide advice on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy. The pediatric dentist will inspect your child’s teeth and gums to see if tooth decay or gum disease is present. An X-ray is sometimes used to allow the dentist to see the whole tooth, including the root. During the dental exam the dentist will also discuss your child’s diet and oral hygiene habits and demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques.

Although a child’s first dental checkup may seem frightening, it is beneficial for them to become acquainted with the dentist from a young age. Our pediatric dentists advise parents to schedule routine dental checkups for their children, preferably once every six months.

Affordable Smiles takes high-definition digital dental radiographs (X-rays) to better detect, diagnose, treat, and monitor oral conditions and diseases. These X-rays produce enhanced computer images of teeth, gums, and other oral structures and conditions.

X-rays can be taken inside (intraoral) or outside (extraoral) the mouth. Intraoral X-rays, the most commonly taken dental X-Ray, provide great detail and are used to detect cavities, check the status of developing teeth and monitor teeth and bone health. Extraoral X-Rays are used to detect impacted teeth, monitor jaw growth and development, and identify potential problems between teeth, jaws and temporomandibular joints (TMJ), or other facial bones.

When left long enough, plaque and tartar will build-up and begin decaying your child’s tooth, causing cavities. Our pediatric dentists and dental assistants use special tools to carefully scrape these substances off each tooth and ensure they are cleaner than before.

After tartar and plaque are removed from your kid’s teeth, they will then get to experience their first tooth polish and dental flossing. Each tooth will get gently brushed with a rubber polishing tool and flavored toothpaste. Our pediatric dentists will take every possible measure to make the procedure a calm and stress-free process.

Brushing and flossing are the best ways to help prevent cavities, but it’s not always easy to clean every nook and cranny of your teeth – especially those back teeth you use to chew (called molars). Molars are rough, uneven and a favorite place for leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria to hide.

Still, there’s another safety net to help keep those teeth clean. It’s called a sealant, and it is a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth. They’re no substitute for brushing and flossing, but they can keep cavities from forming and may even stop early stages of decay from becoming a full-blown cavity.

In fact, sealants have been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars. This is especially important when it comes to your child's dental health. According to the CDC, "school-age children without sealants have almost three times more cavities than children with sealants."

Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States. Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning. At Affordable Smiles, we educate patients and parents on how oral hygiene and diet can affect the health of the child. We have a caring approach and dental and pediatric dentistry services you need. Remember, prevention is cheaper than treatment!