Children’s Dental Care
What is a dental office without children? A very lonely place. Dr. Weinhandl believes one of the most beautiful sounds in the world is a child’s laugh. We enjoy kids and their innocence, and the way they look at the world as they learn all about it. We want kids to learn that dentistry is easy and also that they are esteemed and welcomed by the staff at Brook Trout Dental.
We love to talk to children about their dental questions. If they are afraid, this is the first place to start because a little information and answering questions can go a long way to removing fear.
About 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have at least one cavity. Statistically, boys are more likely than girls to have cavities. In addition, those living at or below the poverty level are significantly more likely than their higher-income peers to have cavities. Thankfully, children’s dentistry at Brook Trout Dental can reverse this trend and reduce the number of oral health issues affecting children.
Why Is Regular Dental Care Important for Children?
You should make an appointment with Brook Trout Dental once a year and additional appointments if problems arise. You might like to make an appointment with your child’s dentist for a back-to-school exam, so your child looks and feels their best on their first day back after summer.
Studies show that children with poor oral health often miss more school days and receive lower grades than those with excellent oral health. Additionally, untreated cavities can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and learning. Pain and infections are also common in children with untreated cavities.
Basic Dental Exam
Your child’s dentist and dental team will start each appointment at Brook Trout Dental with a basic dental exam. They’ll look at the teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure everything looks fine. We may also see how many baby teeth are left for younger children. Cavities are common in kid’s dentistry, so our dentist will be looking to see if your child’s teeth are in good shape. If they find cavities, the dentist may fill them that day, or they may make another appointment to have the cavities filled later.
Teeth Cleaning
At your child’s annual appointment, our dental hygienist will clean their teeth. They start by using a special device to scrape away plaque and tartar from around the gum line. Once this is finished, they will brush your child’s teeth with a powerful electric toothbrush and gritty toothpaste. This helps remove any tartar left behind after scraping. Then, they will floss the teeth, and your child will rinse to get rid of any leftover debris in the mouth.
Dental Sealants
You can choose to have dental sealants placed on your child’s teeth during their annual visit. Dental sealants are thin, plastic tooth coatings that help prevent tooth decay, and the dentist applies them to your child’s teeth after they’ve been cleaned. A special light is used to harden the sealant. Pit and fissure sealants are often suggested for the prevention of cavities in children’s teeth. The biting surface grooves can be kept clean of food debris by using sealants. A small amount of a durable resin coating prevents food from accumulating and staying on the tooth for hours throughout the day. If a child can’t brush their teeth after snacks and meals during the school day, sealants will give their teeth a much better chance at dental health.
Sedation
We offer the use of nitrous oxide or laughing gas. Nitrous is a safe sedative gas that is breathed in by the patient through a nosepiece. It is not intended to put the child to sleep, but rather to relax the child. Nitrous is used mixed with oxygen, and once the procedure is over the child will breathe only pure oxygen until they recover from the sedative effect. In the meantime, Dr. Weinhandl will have completed their filling, extraction, or other necessary treatment before the child is even aware it is done.
Dental Fillings
If our dentist finds any cavities in your child’s mouth, they may fill them that day. However, if there isn’t enough time or multiple cavities, the dentist may set an appointment for you to come back to have them filled.
Before they fill the cavities, the dentist applies a numbing gel to the gums. They then use a special tool to drill out the cavity. The hole is filled with a dental filling, and the dentist may polish or adjust the tooth so your child’s bite feels normal.
Children’s Dentistry Is Essential for Good Oral Health
Routine dental checkups are essential for your child’s oral health. Make sure your child visits at least once a year. Contact our dental office in Casper today to schedule your child’s appointment.
