Dental Care For Kids (Age 6-12)
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that your child get an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7. At our McKinney, TX office, we will evaluate your child to see if phase I (interceptive) orthodontics is necessary. Your child is now in the mixed dentition phase (some baby teeth and some adult teeth). Normal adult (permanent) teeth eruption timing is as follows:
- Continue to see your dentist every 6 months for routine check-ups and cleanings.
- Continue to brush twice a day and floss daily to prevent cavities.
- You may want to use a fluoride mouthwash such as Act ® for additional benefits.
- Sealants may be recommended to protect your child’s permanent teeth. It’s fast and very easy to apply!
Thorough brushing and flossing help remove food particles and plaque from smooth surfaces of teeth. But toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into the depressions and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants protect these vulnerable areas by “sealing out” plaque and food. A sealant is a thin coating that your dentist can apply to your child’s teeth, to help strengthen the tooth and protect it from cavities. Sealants are completely safe, effective, and don’t take very long to apply. By applying a sealant to your child’s teeth, we can prevent fillings, and other dental issues, and help your child enjoy a lasting, beautiful, smile.
We also offer Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, to help apprehensive or anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Patients remain alert, awake and can talk to dentists and staff during their treatment. The onset is quick, the effects are fully reversible, and recovery is rapid. When treatment is complete, the nitrous is turned off and oxygen is administered to help flush any remaining gas. The effects wear off almost immediately.
Tooth Colored Fillings
Occasionally kids may get a cavity and would require a filling. We are a mercury-free practice and exclusively use tooth colored composite fillings instead of ugly amalgam fillings! These fillings require less removal of healthy tooth structure and are color matched to your tooth.