PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY FOR KIDS CROWN POINT
The Big Picture for Little Smiles
As a parent, you’re always having to think ahead, and we completely understand since our team is filled with fellow moms! At LMK Pediatric Dental Care, we not only proactively stop cavities through preventive dental care visits in Crown Point, but we also provide education about nutrition so we can help remove the common culprits of decay. You have enough on your plate—let our team give you peace of mind about your child’s oral health and schedule a reservation with us today.
Why Choose LMK Pediatric Dental Care for Kids’ Preventive Care Visits?
- Led by Certified Pediatric Dentist & Mom of 2
- Holistic Focus That Considers Oral Hygiene, Diet, & More
- Friendly & Patient Team of Pediatric Dental Experts
Preventive Dental Care Visits
A preventive care visit is one of the most effective ways we can keep your child’s smile cavity-free as the years go by. In addition to a thorough visual exam and X-rays once a year or as needed, one of our team members will also complete a professional cleaning to remove plaque from those trouble spots frequently missed while brushing. This also gives us a perfect chance to help your child improve their oral hygiene, because if we see that they’re cavity-free, they enter our “Kids No Cavity Club,” enter their name in a raffle to win a gift card, and we give them a special prize before they leave!
Fluoride Treatment
If bacteria in your child’s mouth penetrate the enamel, they can form disease or decay that can spread to neighboring teeth or their jawbone, which can potentially affect how their adult teeth develop.
Our compassionate team can help prevent cavities with topical fluoride treatments. This standard service can be a helpful and effective way to avoid, halt the progression of, and sometimes even reverse the early development of your kid’s cavities. Continue reading to learn more about how it works so you and your child know what to expect!
What is Fluoride?
You might have heard that fluoride is toxic, and this can potentially be true if you or your child is overexposed. However, this naturally occurring mineral, which can be found in many bodies of water, soil sources, or in the plants growing there, can also help prevent cavities in smaller, controlled doses.
As a result, some cities fortify drinking water with this ingredient, and it’s often included in anti-cavity dental products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Studies have shown that fluoride can strengthen enamel to prevent caries and protect your child’s still-developing smile.
How Does Fluoride Treatment Work?
This is a topical treatment that usually comes as a gel, foam, or varnish in pleasant, child-friendly flavors. Typically, it’s either applied directly to the teeth or to applicator trays that can be inserted over the arches. Once applied, the product is left in place for several minutes so the active ingredient can begin to take effect.
Our team might recommend that your child avoid eating or drinking anything for about 30 to 60 minutes to allow the medication to absorb completely into their enamel. This allows it to draw essential nutrients, such as calcium and phosphate, from your child’s saliva to remineralize the protective outer layer of their teeth, preventing damage and decay. Most kids can safely resume their usual activities and eating habits once this brief waiting period has passed.
Who Benefits from Fluoride Treatment?
This service can be offered as a standalone solution to address a specific concern, but is more frequently included after routine checkups and cleanings to strengthen their smile before sending them home. It can potentially strengthen enamel, reduce tooth sensitivity, and even halt and reverse the earliest stages of tooth decay in patients of all ages. It’s often an ideal way to preserve teeth weakened by acidic or sugary foods and drinks before a cavity develops in the protective outer layer.
Dental Sealants
A dental sealant is like a shield we can place over your child’s most susceptible teeth. A thin layer of tooth-colored resin is applied to the molars (teeth in the back that are usually the first to get cavities), stopping food particles and bacteria from causing damage. The procedure is quick, painless, and can provide round-the-clock protection for a decade or more. Did you know that Dr. Karr even has sealants on her own teeth!?
Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards
Nervous about your child’s safety while cheering them on from the sidelines? A custom mouthguard can protect their teeth and help prevent an unexpected trip to the dentist. Our custom guards are fitted to your child’s mouth so they don’t interfere with breathing or speaking, meaning they’ll actually use it rather than “forgetting” it in a bag or locker.
Pulp Treatment
If your child has a toothache, then it’s likely that decay has made its way through the enamel and has reached the sensitive inner tissue, called the pulp. With pulp treatment, we’re able to stop the pain and preserve the tooth in a single visit, removing the affected tissue while leaving the rest in place so that the tooth only comes out when nature intends!
