Just like cleanings and exams for adults, pediatric cleanings and exams are fairly straightforward. Your child’s dental hygienist or dentist will clean their teeth and gums, then their dentist will carefully examine their mouth and any x-rays to look for potential issues with your child’s oral health or development.

You’ll have the opportunity during this visit to speak with Dr. Kelly about what to expect during the various stages of your child's oral development, like when their teeth will be erupting, falling out, then erupting again as adult teeth. We will discuss proper techniques for at-home oral care and hygiene for different age groups, and even talk about nutrition and diet, and how it’s related to your child’s developing oral health.

If your child has a cavity, it can compromise their oral health, and leave them with a lingering toothache. Dental fillings are one of the fastest, simplest, and most affordable ways to treat cavities for kids. Cavities are a big deal, even if they're only present in the baby teeth. Cavities can cause pain and discomfort and may lead to infected teeth or even tooth loss. Baby teeth are just as important as your child’s adult teeth since they help form the paths that adult teeth follow when they emerge later in life. With a dental filling, your child’s tooth will stay healthy for years to come.

Cavities and toothaches are never fun, especially for your child. When it comes to treating decay in baby teeth, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to dental fillings. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require any drills or shots and can be completed in minutes. Painting on a layer of SDF to the affected tooth not only kills the bacteria that cause decay but also seals and remineralizes the tooth for added strength. If your little one has a cavity, fillings may not be the only option!

Digital x-rays are fast, high-resolution images that capture your child’s jaw and tooth health. X-rays will only be recommended if Dr. Kelly thinks they are necessary. For most cases, x-rays are taken every few years, however, we may recommend more if your child is at high risk for oral disease.

Dental sealants use a transparent liquid resin, which is applied directly to the teeth and is hardened using a UV light. This creates an impenetrable seal on your child’s tooth, which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. This treatment is usually recommended specifically for cavity-prone rear teeth.

Even children need oral cancer screenings! This is an essential part of preventive care that can be performed quickly, safely, and usually without your child noticing.

During the screening, Dr. Kelly will examine your child’s mouth, gums, and oral tissues. She’ll look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other similar abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy may be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or the dentist will refer you to a specialist directly.

Scheduling a dental visit every 6 months allows your child’s dentist to address any issues before they become larger problems.