Children's Dentist in West Bend

What's a Good Age for a Child to Have Their First Dental Appointment?

According to the American Dental Association, you should take your child to a children's dentist on or before their first birthday. If they have a tooth emerge before they are six months old, your child should see a dentist six months after the first tooth appears.

What Does a Kid’s Dentist Do During My Child's First Visit?

Your child can sit in your lap as you sit in the dentist's chair. The exam does not involve x-rays, it's just a quick check to make sure your child is developing normally. The main focus is on answering your questions about teething, thumb sucking and more. You'll also learn how to care for your child's teeth. The appointment helps your child get used to dental visits and they will see visiting a dentist is nothing to fear.

What Does Dentistry for Kids Involve?

The goal of dentistry for children is to keep kid's teeth healthy and to diagnose and fix any issues that arise. We offer the following services for our young patients:

Fluoride - Professional fluoride treatments help strengthen children's teeth so they can fight decay more easily. The treatments are safe and effective, and kids generally don't mind them as the fluoride does not taste bad.

Dental Sealants - Dental sealants are a thin coating which cover the chewing surfaces of molars. They help prevent cavities by making the surface smooth, so plaque does not become stuck in the pits. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate sealants prevent up to 80 percent of cavities for two years after the application.

Teeth Cleaning for Children - Once your child is older, we offer gentle toddler teeth cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings are not just for adults. Our staff is well trained at making the process as comfortable as possible for your child.

Fillings - Fillings are a large part of kid’s dental care, even for kids who take good care of their teeth. The enamel on baby teeth just isn’t as strong as it is on adult teeth. It’s essential to catch cavities early, as decay can travel swiftly between baby teeth. We’ll explain what will happen to your child calmly, in terms they understand and put them at ease before proceeding.

Dental Bonding - If your child chips or cracks a tooth, dental bonding is an ideal, non-invasive solution to restore the tooth's appearance and to help prevent further damage.

Baby Root Canal - Our children's dentist in West Bend will suggest a baby root canal if your child's tooth is infected, badly decayed or damaged. Saving a baby tooth is just as important as saving an adult tooth. Our dentist will administer a local anesthesia to ensure your child does not feel any pain during the procedure. Typically, children are in pain if they need a root canal and they're relieved to know the pain will end and not come back.

Pediatric Crowns - After a root canal, or if your child needs a large filling, our dentist will place a pediatric crown over the tooth. The crown gives the weakened tooth strength and restores its function. Children usually get stainless steel or white crowns. Your dentist will go over the pros and cons of each crown material so you can make an informed decision.

Mouthguards - When your child takes part in organized sports, rides his or her bike or engages in any activities where an injury to the mouth can occur, he or she needs a custom sports mouthguard from a dentist. Properly fitted mouthguards protect against lost teeth and other injuries. We can also recommend night guards for children with bruxism to protect their teeth until parents can address the cause or the child outgrows their teeth grinding.

When Do Kids First Start Getting Baby Teeth?

Although every child is different, most children get their primary, or baby teeth, between four and twelve months of age. The average is six months. Generally, the first two teeth to appear are on the bottom jaw, in the front. Your child will get 20 baby teeth in all, with the four second molars being the last to appear. Expect some space between the teeth, this is normal as permanent teeth are larger than baby teeth.

When Do Children Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Most children start losing their baby teeth in kindergarten or first grade. The teeth fall out in the order they appear, so your child will lose his or her front teeth first. Girl's teeth usually fall out before boy's teeth do.

Why Do Children Experience Tooth Pain?

Tooth decay is the main reason children have tooth pain. Other reasons can include hairline fractures or an abscess. The tooth may throb all the time, hurt when your child has something hot or cold, or the tooth or gums around the tooth can hurt when touched. Please make an appointment with our children's dentist in West Bend when your child is in pain. We look forward to making him or her feel better.