$100
Credit Preventive Dental Services*
Patients under 18 who start orthodontic treatment, and are not currently Smiles pediatric dental patients, will receive a $100 credit to use toward preventive dental services during orthodontic treatment. Just our way of saying, “Try us, we think you’ll like us!”
Good dental hygiene habits should start early! As soon as your child begins to cut their first teeth—which can happen as early as 4 months of age—it’s your job to provide them with the necessary care to ensure strong, healthy teeth through childhood and adulthood.
The pediatric dentists at Smiles of Austin are proud to provide the very best kids dentistry in Austin, TX – and beyond! We take a unique, comprehensive approach when caring for the littlest smiles. We use cutting-edge technology with gentle, painless techniques to give even our littlest patients good impressions of dentists and oral care.
Pediatric Hygiene At Home
Healthy teeth start with a good diet. Children need a variety of foods from all food groups to ensure proper nutrition, which impacts tooth formation as well. Just as with adults, children who consume too much sugar, and who do not have good oral hygiene at home will suffer from more cavities than their peers.
Another major factor is tooth brushing. Just as with adults, children need to brush their teeth twice per day based on the American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines. Children are not mature enough to be responsible for their own teeth brushing routine until adolescence. It is imperative that a parent or caregiver oversee all brushing in the younger years!
Your Child’s First Appointment
The first appointment in the dental office should be fun. The most important thing is to make children feel comfortable, and hopefully to enjoy the experience, so they want to come back. Depending on the individual child’s age, the dentist may complete a visual check of the teeth, count how many are in place and talk with the child and parent about teeth care.
Sealants & Teeth-Strengthening Mineral Treatments
Depending on your child’s age, your dentist or hygienist may talk to you about mineral treatments and tooth sealants. Mineral treatments are a proven cavity-preventative element, but we know that too little or too much can be detrimental. Without enough minerals, teeth do not form as strong as they should. Too many minerals in the preschool years, though, can cause fluorosis, which causes discoloration in permanent teeth.
Tooth sealants are generally applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which is where most pediatric cavities are found. Sealants are a physical barrier against food particles, sugar, plaque, and acids—all of which are harmful to teeth!
Our Child Dentists Are Here To Listen
As the parent, you know your child best. If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s teeth, diet, or habits that you feel may impact her oral health, we encourage you to discuss them at the appointment. We can offer advice and guidance regarding pacifier and bottle use, thumb sucking, and food choices. Our goal is to set up all our patients for success, from the very beginning!
Sleep Apnea & TMJ Treatment
If your child has trouble sleeping, is frequently tired, or struggles with behavioral issues, they may be suffering from sleep apnea. Our kids dentists work closely with trusted, local ear, nose, and throat doctors to help correct sleep apnea issues. If the problems are caused by orthodontic issues, such as a narrow palate, we might even recommend an appliance that can be prescribed by our doctors.
Similarly, if your child suffers from jaw pain or stiffness, the Smiles of Austin team can assess them for TMJ. Oftentimes, custom appliances, like nightguards, alleviate stress in many patients. If your child’s case is more severe, we will refer you to an oral surgeon and facilitate the entire process.
Sedation Dentistry For Anxiety & Special Healthcare Needs
Our Austin pediatric dentists provide custom, comfortable care to all types of patients, including those with anxiety and special healthcare needs. If your child has a hard time in the dentist’s chair, we may offer the following levels of sedation:
- Laughing Gas: Mild sedation
- Oral Conscious Sedation: Moderate sedation
- IV Sedation: Heavy sedation
Prior to building sedation into your child’s treatment plan, we will review their health history to make the safest, healthiest recommendation!
Pediatric Dentistry For Healthy Futures
Give your child the head-start they need! Call us today to schedule your child’s dental appointment.