Comprehensive Pediatric Dentistry
at Bend Children's Dentistry
As children’s teeth develop, monitoring their dental health and intervening when necessary is essential. A pediatric dentist has the necessary experience, education, and training to provide appropriate care for children. Because early dental care sets the foundation for a lifetime of health, your child must see a dentist at Bend Children’s Dentistry from an early age. After their first visit, the dentist may recommend scheduling regular appointments at specific intervals to ensure optimal dental health. Your child needs to see a dentist early in their development so that any issues can be fixed early on, leading to better long-term outcomes.
Common Dental Problems for Children
- Cavities (tooth decay)
- Thumb sucking
- Tongue-thrusting
- Baby bottle tooth decay
- Mouth injuries
- Gum disease
The Benefits of Early Dental Care for Children
The first visit should occur when the child turns one or the first tooth erupts. During this appointment, our pediatric dentist will check for tooth decay and other problems that may affect your child’s teeth in the future. We will also ensure their teeth are coming in properly and can answer any questions about caring for your child’s smile. Early visits to the pediatric dentist can help children build positive associations with dental care that can last a lifetime.
Preventative dental checkups and cleanings are essential to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. During their visits, we clean plaque from their teeth to prevent the development of cavities and gum disease. We can also answer questions about oral hygiene so they can keep their smiles healthy between appointments.
We also work with patients to help them develop good dental habits that they can practice at home. Brushing and flossing at least twice daily is essential for preventing cavities and other oral health problems. Additionally, we can recommend diet changes that can help protect your child’s enamel and keep them from getting cavities. If your child participates in sports or other activities that cause injury risk, we can also offer mouthguards and helmets to help protect the smile during these activities.
One of the essential benefits of preventive dental care is that it allows us to treat common dental health issues before they develop into serious complications. Tooth decay is a common problem that affects children and adults alike, but regular checkups and cleanings help reduce the risk of cavities in children. By keeping a child’s smile clean and protecting it from tooth decay, we can help decrease the risk of more complicated treatment later in life.
If left untreated, minor cavities can worsen and become serious infections that can spread to the gums and jaw. At-home treatments like mouthwashes and over-the-counter medications only treat the symptoms of tooth decay and do not treat the underlying infection that caused the damage in the first place. Children must visit the dentist every six months for a cleaning and checkup. For the best dental care tailored to your child’s needs, visit Bend Children’s Dentistry at 2190 NE Professional Court, Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701, or call (541) 907-1611.