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A mother and daughter smile brightly. They're showing the results of the child's pediatric dental care.

Caring For Your
Child’s Teeth in Auburn, IN

Proactive Preventive Care Starts Here

As you can imagine, caring for your child’s teeth requires a different approach than caring for adults. When your child is first introduced to the dentist during their fundamental years, we can work as a team to encourage healthy oral hygiene habits at a young age to ensure they’re set up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Some parents find the nightly routine of teeth brushing to be as daunting for them as it can be for their children, but when it’s made out to be a game, it can be fun for everyone. Children typically want to impress their parents or mimic their behaviors, so leading by example has been proved to be effective.

If you’re struggling to find ways to get your kids to brush their teeth, ask any of our friendly team members and we’ll be happy to offer strategies we’ve come across over the years. Remember it’s important to teach kids to be proactive about their dental hygiene to ensure their oral health is in excellent condition.

A group of kids looking down at the camera
A small girl brushes a large model mouth with a big toothbrush. She's smiling during her pediatric dentistry visit.

Pediatric Dental Checkups

Similar to adults, kids require biannual checkups to ensure their oral health is on track. During these checkups, we’ll examine their oral health and look for signs of tooth decay and gum disease. We’ll perform any necessary treatments to restore their oral health such as fillings. We’ll also take X-rays and perform a professional cleaning.

During your child’s biannual dental checkups, we’ll provide any tips on ways they can improve their oral hygiene routine at home. Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are like a rough draft that can have an impact on the health of their adult teeth, also known as secondary teeth, so it’s vital to set a healthy foundation for what’s to come.

Protecting and Improving Your Child’s Teeth

During your child’s formative years their bodies are rapidly changing. This makes it easier to address any issues with their bite, also called occlusion early on. Addressing occlusal issues at a young age makes it easier to perform oral hygiene and improves the functionality of teeth.

In addition to checking for alignment issues, we may also recommend a fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay. If your child is at a higher risk for cavities, we may suggest dental sealants be applied to their back molars to shield against decay. With proper care, dental sealants can protect your child’s teeth for ten years or more.

Young boy getting his teeth examined
Young girl holding a prosthetic and smiling

Preparing for Your Child’s Dental Exam

Prior to your child’s dental appointment, there are a few ways you can help set them up for success, including:

  • Speak positively about dentist appointments – Your impression is likely the one that matters most. So avoid using words like hurt, pain, and needles. Instead, explain that special tools will be used to make sure their teeth are healthy.
  • Choose a time of day when they’re well-rested – This will help ensure that they’re ready for what’s ahead.
  • Bring their favorite toys
  • Introduce them to books or television shows that show their favorite characters visiting the dentist
  • Use positive reinforcement or provide a reward

Frequently Asked Questions

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