Children’s Dental Care
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 Wetherill Family Dentistry 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 a routine appointment with Wetherill Family Dentistry twice a year, along with any additional appointment necessary if problems arise. You might like to make an appointment with Dr. Wetherill 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
Dr. Wetherill and his team will start each appointment at Wetherill Family Dentistry with a basic dental exam. They’ll look at the teeth, gums, and jaw to ensure everything looks fine. They will also see how many baby teeth are left in younger children. Cavities are common in kid’s dentistry, so Dr. Wetherill will be looking to see if your child’s teeth are in good shape. If cavities are found, Dr. Wetherill may fill them that day, or the office may schedule a separate appointment to have the cavities filled later.
Teeth Cleaning
At your child’s semi-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, our hygienist 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 semi-annual visit. Dental sealants are thin, composite-like tooth coatings that help prevent tooth decay, and Dr. Wetherill applies them to your child’s teeth after they’ve been cleaned. A special light is used to harden the sealant.
Dental Fillings
If Dr. Wetherill finds any cavities in your child’s mouth, he may fill them that day. However, if there isn’t enough time or if the child has multiple cavities, Dr. Wetherill may set an appointment for you to come back to have them filled.
Before he fills the cavities, Dr. Wetherill applies a numbing gel to the gums. He then uses 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 Wilmington today to schedule your child’s appointment.
