Lone Star Smiles
Children’s Dentistry
As a parent, you want your child to be healthy and successful. You monitor their doctor’s appointments, diet, and nutrition — and their oral health should also be no exception. But, when it comes to a happy, healthy mouth, you and your child have different needs.
At Lone Star Smiles, Dr. Vera and her staff pleased to offer a special mix of friendly, expert care to guide your child through successful dental visits for optimum oral health that will last a lifetime.
First Dental Visit
The most important aspect of caring for young patients is making sure that kids have a positive experience when at the dental office, empowering them for a lifetime of healthy, happy smiles. At Lone Star Smiles, Dr. Vera provides excellent children’s dentistry in an upbeat and welcoming environment that makes children feel at home right from their very first visit.
-
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) both recommend that your child’s first dental visit take place within 6 months of getting their first tooth or by their first birthday - whichever comes first. This may seem early, but this first visit establishes a dental home for your child and allows Dr. Vera the opportunity to start building a relationship with both of you.
If your child has already turned one and still hasn’t seen the dentist, don’t worry! Now is the perfect time to get them scheduled. Early checkups and preventive care will help them get used to visiting the dentist, and give our dentists the ability to monitor their oral development and detect any dental problems early.
During the first dental visit, we will likely perform a lap exam of your little one - allowing them to see you the entire time, and help keep them at ease. If your child is a little older, they may sit in the “big chair” for their check-up, instead. Part of the dental check-up will include counting your child’s teeth, checking for signs of decay, and looking to make sure that the bite is developing normally. Fluoride treatment will be offered as a preventive measure, as well as tips for your child’s oral health and home care routine.
-
Caring for your child’s oral health begins before their first tooth even arrives. As you’re waiting for that first tooth, you can start to use a clean, wet wash cloth to wipe their gums after each feeding. This will get them used to having something in their mouth and start the foundation for good oral habits.
Once the first tooth arrives, begin brushing with a small, soft bristled tooth brush twice a day using a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. At age three, you can start using a pea sized amount of toothpaste after they have mastered the ability to spit the excess toothpaste rather than swallow it.
As your child gets older, you will still need to help them brush until around age 7 or 8. Also, children’s floss sticks and mouthwash a great addition to healthy habits. Most importantly though, leading by example and letting them watch you brush and floss your teeth will help educate them about how to use proper techniques.
-
As our children reach school age and adolescence, they will encounter new barriers to healthy teeth. Children between the ages of 6 and 14 years old are at the highest risk of cavities. Talking to your child about the importance of good nutrition and importance of oral hygiene can help. Additionally, Dr. Vera may recommend additional treatment for them like sealants or in-office fluoride applications. We are also happy to provide custom mouth guards for those kids who choose to participate in sports and may be at risk for injuries and dental emergencies.
-
Even with the best efforts to keep your child’s teeth healthy, your child may encounter cavities at some point. If this happens, Dr. Vera can provide dental care in our office. Our staff works hard to provide positive dental experiences in a gentle, caring manner and to help keep children calm and comfortable during their dental visits. Sometimes, though, a child may still feel anxious and need more help - in these situations our office will use nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, to help your child feel more relaxed.
While the doctors and staff at Lone Star Family Dentistry are patient and confident in treating your child, there may be a time when a specialist would be best. If a referral to the pediatric dentist is necessary, Dr. Vera will discuss this with you at the appropriate time.
Just like adults, it is recommended for kids to have dental checkups at least twice a year. With regular visits, your child can receive comprehensive care and learn the skills they need to have a healthy, beautiful smile for life.
Sealants
Your back teeth have a tough job - Unfortunately, they can also be hard to take care of. Young children who are still learning how to brush and floss correctly, patients who suffer from frequent cavities, or those who naturally have deep grooves on the surface of their back teeth can easily develop cavities in these areas. To protect the biting and chewing surfaces of you back teeth, sealants are a simple and pain-free way to create a barrier between your tooth enamel and the cavity-causing bacteria that live in the mouth. Dr. Vera at Lone Star Smiles can help you or your child keep your teeth safe with dental sealants - and we can easily place sealants as part of any six-month checkup!
Varnish
Years of research has shown that at appropriate levels, fluoride is highly beneficial and essential to strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in various foods and added to the tap water of most cities as well as dental products like toothpaste and mouthwash. While everyday sources are enough for most people to keep cavities away, patients who are prone to decay and kids who are still learning to care for their teeth may benefit from topical fluoride treatments from our team. We can quickly apply a fluoride solution to your or your child's teeth during any dental checkup to minimize the risk of tooth decay.
For patients seeking a natural, fluoride-free alternative, we also provide hydroxyapatite varnish. Hydroxyapatite is the primary mineral that already makes up your teeth and bones, meaning this biocompatible treatment safely binds directly to the enamel to rebuild, protect, and strengthen your smile without the use of added chemicals.
Sports Guards
Protecting your smile should always be a top priority, especially for patients that are athletes. If you’re active in sports or other exercises where your mouth can come in contact with hard surfaces, or sports equipment, you’ll want to take extra care to protect your teeth with a custom-fit sports guard.
Not all sports guards are created equal, and at Lone Star Smiles, our custom-made guards provide superior comfort and protection compared with what you can find over the counter. Protect your smile for life and reduce the risk of injury and dental emergencies today!
Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is inhaled through the nose to help patients feel less anxious during dental treatment. It is commonly used with children who are nervous about their appointment and makes them feel warm, happy, and relaxed. Once the procedure is over, the nitrous wears off almost immediately with no lasting effects.