Pediatric Dentistry Archives - Northshore Kids Dental

Tooth Colored Fillings and Sealants for Kids Teeth In Antioch, California

Teeth can begin to show decay and cavities early and children are not generally invested in dental hygiene until they are much older. At Northshore Kids Dental, we specialize in filling both permanent and baby teeth with tooth colored resin fillings. These fillings restore the tooth to its original, functioning condition without having to resort to extraction. The dentist can examine teeth to determine if they are a candidate for tooth-colored fillings.

When Are Dental Fillings Necessary?

When you visit Northshore Kids Dental with your child, they will undergo a comprehensive inspection of each tooth. Our dentists initially inspect each tooth through a physical examination, but also heavily rely on digital x-rays to show what cannot be seen with the naked eye. Tooth decay is a problem among children who do not brush and floss regularly, but with regular examinations, decay can be caught early. Provided there is no extensive damage to the tooth, it can be filled with our tooth-colored filling services in Southern California.

Types Of Dental Fillings

Amalgam and composite fillings are the primary types of fillings you can have done at Northshore Kids Dental. Composite fillings are the more aesthetically pleasing versions. These tooth-colored fillings are placed on teeth that will be showing when the child smiles. They can also be used on molars in the back of the mouth, if necessary, but most often, amalgam or silver fillings are placed in these areas. Amalgam fillings are stronger and last longer than composite fillings.

Why Choose Tooth-Colored Fillings?

Composite or tooth-colored fillings are designed to match the look of natural teeth. They can be placed in affected teeth to restore the appearance while providing ample protection. Both composite and amalgam fillings can be placed in your child’s mouth, but the silver look of amalgam may not be as aesthetically pleasing as matching the natural state of your child’s teeth. Amalgam fillings are generally used on larger fillings or those between teeth for its ultra-strong capabilities, but composite, tooth colored fillings have proven successful and long lasting for general filling needs.

How Are Composite Fillings Placed Inside Teeth?

When placing tooth-colored fillings, the area is numbed to ensure your child remains completely comfortable. In the event that our dentists find it necessary, Northshore Kids Dental may opt for sedation to ensure the child is kept at ease. After the area is numbed, our dentists will clean decay from the tooth and apply an acid etch to clean and disinfect the area. Finally, a composite resin is placed in the space of the affected tooth and a UV light is used to dry it completely. Throughout the process, we at Northshore Kids Dentistry work to ensure complete comfort and post procedure, we can adjust the tooth to ensure your child’s bite is not negatively affected.

Does It Hurt To Get Fillings?

Primarily, the only thing your child will feel is when we apply the numbing agent to the affected tooth. Northshore Kids Dental works diligently to assure all our young patients are as comfortable as possible. Once the numbing agent is placed, your child may feel cold water while cleaning the area and a little pressure. However, no pain is associated with the filling process. Some children can feel slight sensitivity to the treated area, but that will dissipate over time.

Schedule A Consultation

For more information on white fillings and when to get them, call us today or visit our office.

Pediatric Dental Sealants In Antoich, California

What Are Dental Sealants and Where Are They Placed?

Molars are teeth at the back of the mouth that are used for chewing food. Teaching children to brush these areas properly can be a challenge as they are not always the easiest areas to properly clean. Bacteria from food and drinks can deposit on these teeth causing tooth decay and cavities. Dental Sealants are one of the more practical ways of contending with this issue. Generally, Dental Sealants are placed over permanent molars, but at Northshore Kids Dental, we have successfully placed them on baby teeth at risk of a cavity.

When Should I Check to See if My Child Can Benefit from Dental Sealants?

It is important to place dental sealants as soon as possible. At Northshore Kids Dental we recommend as soon as your child begins getting their permanent teeth around the age of 6, you have them fitted for dental sealants. Sealants can last for up to 2 years and have proven to prevent 80% of tooth decay. Parents concerned about their child’s dental hygiene should invest in dental sealants for their child as soon as possible to protect teeth while children learn about proper dental care.

Why Should Your Child Get Dental Sealants?

A staggering statistic among today’s youth is the fact that merely 25% claim they brush at least twice daily. Approximately 42% of children ages 2 to 11 have some form of tooth decay already. The fact is, children do not always take proper care of their teeth, so parents must be vigilant in their approach to their child’s oral hygiene. A thorough cleaning is not always going to happen, but Dental Sealants provided by Northshore Kids Dental will ensure your child maintains comprehensive protection from bacteria and tooth decay commonly associated with kids today.

What Exactly Are Dental Sealants and How Are They Applied?

Dental Sealants do not hurt to apply. There is no need for numbing medicine as it is a non-invasive procedure. The tooth is prepared by an acid etch solution that is cleaned off before Dental Sealants are applied. Dental Sealants are applied by brushing a white coated resin solution onto the teeth taking special care to cover hard to reach areas in the molars and areas where brushing is difficult. Once brushed on the teeth, a special UV light is placed in the mouth to dry the solution completely. The whole process takes a matter of minutes and patients do not feel any pain.

What Benefits Are Associated with Dental Sealants?

Quite possibly the best benefit for Dental Sealants is the fact that your child can have up to 10 years of protection for treated teeth. Sealants and colorless, odorless and simply protect teeth from potential bacteria or decay. At Northshore Kids Dental, Dental Sealants are applied in mere minutes and can substantially protect teeth for years to come without negatively impacting your child’s smile, laugh, or ability to chew.

Are There Any Risks with Dental Sealants?

No, there are no risks to applying Dental Sealants to a child’s teeth. The procedure is painless, safe, and can protect teeth for many years. The application of Dental Sealants reduces the risk of cavity and decay in molars by almost 80%. If you have yet to have Dental Sealants applied to your child’s permanent teeth, contact Northshore Kids Dental today.

Northshore Kids Dental is Available to Answer Any Questions You May Have About Dental Sealants and the Many Benefits They Provide to Children.

Dental Examination In Antioch,California

Oral care is an essential part of your child’s daily routine. Brushing, flossing, and taking good care of teeth will positively impact your child’s smile and overall look as they get older. Establishing a routine as early as possible is essential and Northshore Kids Dental is the place for excellent pediatric dentistry in Southern California. Our team of dental professional work to educate both children and parents on proper dental hygiene procedures at every visit. We assess the needs of our patients on an individual basis to account for any specific requirements their teeth and gums may have.

Pediatric Dental Examination Procedure

Managing the health and well being of your child’s teeth is our top priority here at Northshore Kids Dental and we love what we do. A pediatric examination includes various attributes to help the dentist receive a full scope view of the child’s oral health. Initially, a visual check will account for any notable weak spots or cavities present in the teeth. Next, the task of x-raying the child’s teeth takes over. This will show structural or bacterial concerns that need to be addressed. The underlying structure of teeth can often hide decay and deterioration that the naked eye cannot see from the surface of the teeth.

Once the examination is completed, parents are informed of and given proper procedures for cleaning their child’s teeth effectively. Provided the child is old enough to brush and care for their own teeth, the pediatric dentist will instruct the child on how proper dental hygiene can help them maintain a stunning smile.

What Preventative Treatments Are Used In Comprehensive Oral Exams?

Prevention is always the best way to ensure your child’s smile stays beautiful and healthy. Preventative treatments from Northshore Kids Dental range from standard dental cleaning to dental sealants used to protect teeth. We can also place space maintainers to keep teeth from moving together when your child loses a tooth and our PRR (Preventive Resin Restoration) services can help keep teeth straight when space maintainers are not ideal.

Can The Need For Braces Or Root Canal Be Determined During A Dental Exam?

X-rays can tell us a lot about your child’s teeth. At Northshore Kids Dental, our professional staff know what to look for in x-rays to determine if your child may be a candidate for braces or a possible root canal. Orthodontic treatments such as braces can help straiten teeth as the device slowly aligns teeth overtime.

A tooth that needs to be extracted can sometimes be saved with a root canal procedure or endodontic treatment. The soft tissue of the tooth known as the pulp maintains nerves for the tooth. This area can become inflamed and very painful. Extraction is the last option, but a root canal can alleviate the irritation while maintaining the tooth. A root canal is something that should only be accomplished by a licensed tooth specialist and our pediatric dentists at Northshore Kids Dental are experts at this procedure.

Schedule A Pediatric Comprehensive Oral Exam

Call us at 925-775-4586 to schedule an oral exam for your child today. Northshore Kids Dental is the top-notch pediatric dentist in Southern California you have been looking for.

Child’s First Dental Visit

When Should I Bring My Child In For His Or Her First Dental Visit?

This is a question that many parents struggle with and parents often wait until the child is 3 before scheduling their first visit. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should have their very first dental visit before their first birthday. Proper dental hygiene is a learned task and one that should begin as early as possible.

The Importance Of Child Dental Care

Beginning early with Northshore Kids Dental can have phenomenal benefits to your child. Firstly, you will be certain your child’s teeth are aligned correctly and be able to contend with any possible issues before the child gets older. If orthodontics are in order, your pediatric dentist can offer vital assistance.

A second benefit for your child is a vast reduction in anxiety levels commonly associated with a visit to the dentist. Your child will learn our staff early and realize that a visit to the dentist is nothing to be frightened of. As your child grows, you, as a parent, can learn viable nutrition and oral hygiene practices that will benefit you and your child over time.

What to Expect at the First Visit?

Your child’s first dental visit might be a little lengthy, but at Northshore Kids Dental, we do our best to make every visit fun. We will have to establish your child’s medical history first to ascertain any notable dental needs. Once that is established, we can move onto x-rays of your child’s teeth and gums. The dentist will then examine the teeth, gums, and note any potential problems not noticed via x-ray.

Once we have established the overall health of your child’s teeth, we will clean their teeth with a fluoride treatment. During this process, we will teach your child how to properly care for their teeth, including a demonstration of how to brush and floss the correct way. For children that are too young to care for their own teeth, we will instruct parents on proper cleaning and health procedures for teeth.

Why See A Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentistry is an entirely different entity than general dentistry and it is important to address the unique needs of children. On average, a pediatric dentist will undergo additional training of between 2 and 3 years focused solely on children. Pediatric dentists are also trained to examine and treat very young children or those with special needs where other dentists might put off treating a child until they are a little older. Putting off treatment can cause cavities to grow larger and your child can be at greater risk for potential gum disease.

At Northshore Kids Dental, our team of professional pediatric dentists are the experts you have been looking for. Our office is designed solely around children and those that work at our office truly love helping kids maintain a stunning smile and healthy teeth. You wouldn’t take your child to a doctor that specializes in elderly patient care, so why would you take them to a standard dentist. Pediatric dentists know children and fashion their operation around their individualized needs. Trust the experts at Northshore Kids Dental.

Why Choose Northshore Kids Dental

Living in Southern California affords you many options when it comes to caring for your child’s teeth, but not all are as gifted in the science of pediatric dentistry like Northshore Kids Dental. We not only offer one location, but various pediatric dentistry offices in Southern California. In addition to our pediatric teeth cleaning and care services, we offer on site orthodontic specialists as well, so there is never a need to schedule an additional orthodontic appointment outside our office.

At Northshore Kids Dental, we work to ensure that your child remains relaxed during their visit and if anesthesia is needed, we can provide that as well. We offer the best pediatric dentistry in Southern California and we want to help you discover what we can do for you. We are the leading pediatric dentist service in Antioch, California, so contact us today and let us care for your child’s teeth properly.

Sedation Dentistry In Antioch, California

As we all know, no two children are ever exactly alike and for parents of children with special needs or high anxiety, a trip to the dentist can be a very uncomfortable task. At Northshore Kids Dental, we use a specialized form of sedation for patients that require it. Sedation Dentistry can be a bit concerning for parents, but rest assured, Dr. Goyal at Northshore Kids Dental has many years of experience and ongoing training in managing sedation during procedures. We offer an array of sedation options and monitoring throughout the procedure to ensure your child is kept safe.

Sedation Dentistry May Be a Viable Option for You if Your Child Has Experienced:

Sedation Dentistry with Laughing Gas or Nitrous Oxide

One of the more well-known Sedation Dentistry practices is with the use of Nitrous Oxide or Laughing Gas. This form of sedation has actually been around since 1844 and continues to be used to this day for its ability to allow the patient to completely relax. At Northshore Kids Dental, we generally use Nitrous Oxide as a first resort. The process requires the child to simply breath in this safe gas and slowly come to a relaxed state. Laughing Gas is not affective on all patients including those with higher-than-normal anxiety levels, patients that have nasal congestion, or those undergoing an intensely invasive procedure.

When opting for Nitrous Oxide, the child can listen to music or even watch a movie to help keep anxiety levels down. Food should be limited before undergoing this form of sedation to help reduce the risk of dizziness and post procedure, the parent should monitor their child for any biting of the treated area. Northshore Kids Dental has helped many children enjoy a pain free and anxiety free visit to the dentist with the use of Laughing Gas for dental sedation.

Intravenous Sedation for Children in Southern California

If sedation through nitrous oxide is not affective, dentists at Northshore Kids Dental may opt for IV or Intravenous Sedation for your child. This form of dental sedation is often recommended for children who experience the highest levels of anxiety during procedures or those that require extensive treatments during a dental visit. The procedure is completely safe and at Northshore Kids Dental, we employ a licensed anesthesiologist to ensure every child remains safe and comfortable throughout a procedure. Oxygen levels and heart rate are continually monitored during the process.

Once your child wakes up from the IV, they will feel numb, so you should monitor for any accidental biting of the treatment area. Additionally, Northshore Kids Dental recommends that you limit outdoor activities for at least 24 hours to ensure your child feels no dizziness or injures themselves while playing. If you notice prolonged dizziness or nausea after 24 hours, contact 911 and our anesthesiologist at the office.

Service Category: Pediatric Dentistry