CHILDREN’S PREVENTIVE DENTISTRY FRANKFORT

Checkups & Cleanings

Routine visits to the dentist are just as important for children as they are for their parents, if not more so. We strongly recommend that your child attends a checkup and cleaning every six months, or twice each year. During this process, one of our dentists will thoroughly review the patient’s mouth for any signs of tooth decay or other issues that may need attention. Depending on their age, we will also go over the proper age-appropriate oral hygiene recommendations and what they can do at home to help themselves enjoy strong, healthy teeth for life.

During your child’s cleaning, our team will use a light, gentle touch to clear away decay-causing plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces and along the gum line and finish with a protective fluoride application. If they feel anxious during this process, nitrous oxide is available to help them relax.

Orthodontic Screenings

Keeping an eye out for early indications of crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth as well as bite misalignment can let us refer your child to a specialist at the ideal time, drastically cutting down on the length of orthodontic treatment required. And, if your child loses a tooth too early, we can place a space maintainer to prevent the remaining teeth from shifting into the gap (and blocking an incoming adult tooth).

Tooth Decay Prevention

Tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems young patients face, from adolescents all the way down to young babies. This decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth transform the sugar contained in certain fluids and foods into acids that are powerful and dangerous enough to wear away the protective enamel on the teeth. Dr. Kristin, Dr. Reena, Dr. Paula, Dr. Lexi, and the rest of our experienced, compassionate staff at Growing Smiles understand the complexities of pediatric tooth decay very well, and we’re here to help with professional guidance and support. Here are some tips!

The best way to keep tooth decay at bay is to combine a proper brushing and flossing routine with a diet that’s low in sugar. Unfortunately, young children are incapable of maintaining these standards on their own, which is why babies have such a high risk of decay. Baby tooth decay is likely to occur when a child constantly has a bottle filled with formula, milk, or juice that maintains contact with the teeth. The risk is also increased when the child falls asleep and their production of saliva ceases, leaving any liquid in the mouth to gather near the teeth and begin dissolving the enamel.

Our dentists strongly recommend that parents avoid giving their children liquids that are overly sweetened, such as sodas or flavored drinks. Depending on your child’s age, we may also encourage the use of fluoride treatments or dental sealants to provide additional strength and protection for their vulnerable teeth. Above all else, routine comprehensive checkups and cleanings in Chicago every six months are vital. Our goal is to help young smiles stay perfectly healthy and happy throughout the years!

TMJ Treatment

Is your child struggling with facial pain or a jaw that constantly locks, clicks, and pops? These are common signs of TMJ disorder, which can occur when a person’s jaw joint becomes injured or stressed. At Growing Smiles, our dentists are more than capable of diagnosing TMJ disorder with a thorough screening. If we diagnose any issues, we can also provide a treatment plan to address them.

Sportsguards

We love hearing about our patients being active on the field or court during their favorite sport! However, there is a high risk of dental damage if your child’s athletic activities include the possibility of physical contact with hard surfaces or other players. That’s why our dentists at Growing Smiles strongly recommend the use of a customized, high-quality sportsguard. These devices offer valuable benefits, especially when compared to the typical, “one-size-fits-all” guard from the store – they’re designed to be comfortable, sturdy, and easy to wear, helping your child have a great time while their teeth stay well-protected.

Antibiotic Treatment

Antibiotic treatment may be needed if your child is experiencing inflammation, oral bleeding, and other symptoms of acute or chronic dental infection. This medication is very effective at treating dangerous bacteria in the mouth and helping prevent recurrences of infection over time, which keeps little smiles strong and safe.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is often added to drinking water, and for good reason – studies have shown that people who grow up drinking fluoridated water on a routine basis have stronger teeth and fewer cavities on average than those who don’t. At each checkup, we provide professional fluoride applications that benefit your child’s oral health and reduce the threat of tooth decay for a safer, happier smile.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

While you’re probably familiar with fluoride and the oral health benefits it offers, SDF is used for active decay. When a cavity has formed (or is about to form), we can apply SDF to the enamel. The silver diamine eliminates the harmful bacteria that is weakening the enamel while the fluoride strengthens the remaining tooth. This allows us to take care of troubled teeth gently and non-invasively—no vibrating dental tools required.

Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is a thin layer of clear resin placed over the chewing surfaces of a child’s back teeth. Why do this? This shields the teeth most likely to develop decay from food particles and bacteria, going a long way in stopping cavities before they start.