At Golden Heart Dentistry, we understand the importance of a healthy smile.
Dr. Miller and her team are proud to offer exceptional pediatric dentistry services in a calm and comfortable environment. We strive to help our young patients establish and maintain optimal dental health for a lifetime.
What is pediatric dentistry?
Pediatric Dentistry addresses children’s oral health from infancy through adolescence. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a dental visit no later than a child’s first birthday. That ensures the early detection and treatment of problems including cavities and gum disease, preventing complications down the road.
Child Dentistry Procedures
Parent Education: We will model proper home hygiene practices including brushing and flossing, and will recommend the type and amount of toothpaste to use depending on your child's needs and age. We will discuss healthy nutrition, disease prevention, and trauma prevention. We are all about working with you to help your child maintain strong and healthy teeth for years to come.
Preventive Care: Regular exams and cleanings help detect conditions in their early stages, and keep children’s teeth clean and healthy. We may recommend dental sealants and topical fluoride treatments to strengthen and to protect your child's teeth, and to prevent tooth decay.
Restorative Procedures: Detecting a problem early on will allow us to treat it right away, preventing its progression. A simple filling to repair a cavity may prevent the need for a root canal treatment down the road. We will discuss any restorative procedures with you to determine the best course of treatment.
Monitoring Growth: By tracking your child's growth and development, we can anticipate dental issues and quickly intervene. If we determine that your child will need future orthodontic treatment, early intervention will allow for easier treatment and better outcomes down the road.
Emergency Dental Care: Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect. That is why we are fully prepared and equipped to provide your child with the needed urgent care.
Fluoride Treatments
Research indicates fluoride can help prevent cavities in children and adults in at least two ways:
- Making the tooth enamel stronger against acids in the mouth formed by bacteria and sugar
- Helping to reduce the amount of bacteria on the tooth surface
Water fluoridation is a common practice in U.S. public water systems. However, bottled water, home treatment systems, and private well water may not be fluoridated. The lack of fluoride for infants and children during the crucial formative years may contribute to tooth decay.
“Topical” applications such as toothpaste and mouth rinses can supply that fluoride. If you’re concerned about getting enough fluoride to protect your teeth, Golden Heart Dental offers fluoride treatments in the office to make sure all teeth receive the benefits of fluoride.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a great tool for preventing cavities in hard-to-reach areas and on teeth that have deep crevices. They are typically recommended for children between ages 6 and 14, but patients of virtually all ages can benefit from their application. Dental sealants are made from specially designed dental resin or plastic. They are carefully applied in liquid form onto the back teeth in a thin layer. The sealant then quickly hardens and bonds directly onto the tooth, sometimes with the aid of a curing light. Sealants can remain effective for as long as a decade, but they still should be checked for wear during every dental check-up.
Kids' dentistry at its best
Contact Golden Heart Dentistry in Fairbanks, AK to learn more about caring for your child's teeth. We look forward to building a relationship with you focused on laying the groundwork for a lifetime of oral health. We often serve patients coming from the Fairbanks, Ester, and North Pole area of east-central Alaska. Call us today at 907-328-0868 to request an appointment!
Request Appointment
At Golden Heart Dental, we make it convenient to plan your visit. Schedule online or call us at 907-328-0868 to request an appointment time that fits your busy schedule. We can't wait to see you.