As a Columbia family dentistry serving Howard County, we offer pediatric dental services in our Columbia, MD dentist office. It is a general dentistry service that we offer to children in the community that need dental care. We are very familiar with the needs of children and will work to make them feel as relaxed as possible.
Our staff also makes every effort to ensure the comfort and safety of our young patients, helping them to develop confidence in their oral hygiene habits and to feel comfortable when they visit us for routine dental care.
Our staff and dentists in Columbia, MD will take the time to explain the dental treatments that your child will be receiving to help reduce anxiety. We will also help educate children on the benefits of keeping their teeth and gums clean and healthy as they grow older. We want your child to develop an understanding and appreciation of proper oral health routines and how it plays into their overall health, especially as they grow.
Teaching young patients how to brush and floss their teeth can help reduce tooth decay now, and in the future as good habits are developed and maintained.
Dentistry for Children
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see a dentist by his/her first birthday. Though this may sound early, learning proper pediatric oral hygiene techniques, checking for cavities, and watching for developmental problems is essential.
Early visits with a dentist can lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles and help reduce the anxiety often associated with dental care. Most of our families will schedule their regular check-ups at the same time. They appreciate the convenience of bringing the entire family in for check-ups and teeth cleanings at one location. This eliminates several appointment times at different locations.
Children’s Dentistry Services in Columbia, MD
Where Columbia pediatric dentistry is solely focused on children, our dentist office is family-oriented. Howard County Smiles provides dentistry for children as well as adults. We offer a complete menu of dental services for children as young as 3 to help them prevent tooth decay and protect their teeth. These services include:
- Tooth cleaning: Our hygienists offer gentle tooth cleanings for children. We ensure children feel comfortable throughout their cleaning and will pause as needed.
- Orthodontic consultations: Crooked teeth or an uneven bite are most apparent as your child’s teeth develop. We can consult you and your child on options to straighten their teeth.
- Tooth bonding: We can fix small tooth chips or cracks with this treatment. Teeth bonding uses tooth-colored materials to add to teeth. We ensure bonding blends in with natural teeth.
- Digital X-rays: At regular visits, we take X-rays to keep track of your child’s oral health.
- Dental sealants: After routine dental cleanings, we can place sealants. Sealants protect the back molars from decay.
- White fillings: We offer fillings for patients with tooth cavities. White fillings are safer than metal fillings. They also blend in with the color of natural teeth.
- Custom sports mouthguards: We create custom athletic mouthguards for patients of all ages who play sports.
- Wisdom teeth removal: Our office provides comfortable tooth extraction treatment. Wisdom tooth removal is the most common type of extraction. We often remove these teeth when patients are in their teens or early twenties.
Sports and Your Child’s Teeth
If your child is active in sports, a custom-made mouthguard is a highly recommended safeguard.
According to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to suffer dental harm when not wearing a sports mouthguard.
We can create a custom mouthguard for your child using a model of his or her teeth. This will offer greater protection than an off-the-shelf model. Store-bought mouthguards do not offer a custom fit, which means they can fall out during a game.
Custom-made mouthguards provide a comfortable fit and thoroughly protect your child’s teeth and gums. Without a mouthguard, patients can knock out a tooth, chip or break a tooth, or injure the gums. We also recommend sports mouthguards for children with braces. Hits to the braces wires and brackets can injure the soft mouth tissues.
A custom mouthguard is an investment that pays off highly in the form of reduced pain, suffering — and dental expenses down the road!
Most of all, it’s essential for your child to have a positive experience at the dental office as he/she will be a regular visitor for years to come.
Pediatric Dentistry FAQs
Learn more about pediatric dentistry in our Columbia, MD dentist office with answers to these commonly asked questions:
At what age should I schedule my child’s first dental visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see the dentist after their first tooth erupts. If a child is older than a year old and no teeth have erupted, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist to check your child’s gums.
They may perform an X-ray to see if any teeth are close to erupting and to be sure that your child’s health is in check.
Why is caring for my child’s baby teeth essential if they’re just going to get adult teeth later?
If your child develops a cavity in their baby teeth, you must have it filled. If not treated, cavities in baby teeth will spread to their permanent teeth, and possibly to surrounding teeth.
Taking care of your child’s baby teeth has a direct effect on how their permanent teeth grow.
When should children switch from seeing a pediatric dentist to an adult dentist near me?
Pediatric dentists typically see patients from around the age of 1 year until they are around 12 or 13. Many patients stop seeing their pediatric dentist by their teenage years. However, some parents elect to have their child continue to see a pediatric dentist longer.
Why does my child have so many cavities?
There are multiple reasons why your child may be at a higher risk of cavities:
- Poor oral hygiene
- A diet full of sugars and starches
- Genetics (weaker tooth enamel)
As your child begins to learn how to care for their teeth, ensure they brush and floss thoroughly. Also, schedule regular dental visits for your child. Patients of all ages should visit the dentist twice a year.
You can also cut down on sugary drinks and snacks. Instead of juice or soda, make sure your child drinks enough water each day.
Do I need to schedule a dental visit if my child has a cavity?
Yes, we will still treat cavities, even if your child has a cavity in a primary or baby tooth. We may provide a dental filling based on the extent of your child’s infection. Leaving the cavity untreated can affect the health of other teeth in the mouth.
What sports require a pediatric mouthguard?
Contact sports, or sports with any contact between players, require mouthguards. Common sports that require mouthguards include lacrosse, hockey, football, and field hockey. Children must wear a sports mouthguard to protect their teeth and prevent tooth damage or loss.
Schedule a Dental Exam Today
If you are looking for a dentist office near you that offers dentistry for children in Columbia, MD, consider Howard County Smiles for your entire family. Enjoy the convenience that Columbia family dentistry offers! Call today at (410) 415-9013 or schedule an appointment online.
Let us know if you have questions about our dental services for children. We will be happy to help.