Is Teeth Whitening Safe for Children?

As children grow older and their permanent teeth erupt, their teeth can look dull or yellow in color. Many parents inquire about teeth whitening for their children. In some cases, the yellow color is due to what your child eats or drinks, poor dental hygiene, or decay. The good news is teeth whitening can be safe for children if they meet certain criteria.

What Is Required for Children To Begin To Whiten Their Teeth?

Teeth whitening for children is generally safe, but there is some risk involved. Typically, we recommend having your dentist provide teeth whitening treatment, and avoid using over the counter products that can cause sensitivity. Children must meet certain criteria in order to begin whitening their teeth.

On average teeth whitening can begin between the ages of 14-16. We require the child to have all of their permanent teeth. It is best to not begin whitening treatment until all the adult teeth are present, and there are no baby teeth left. We also examine your child to ensure their enamel has fully calcified. If you child requires orthodontic treatment to correct misaligned teeth, this must also be completed before any teeth whitening treatment begins.

Our team at Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry can help your child achieve that perfect white smile. Our detailed exam can determine if your child qualifies to begin treatment. If we recommend waiting to start whitening treatment, we may recommend using whitening toothpaste to help your child with staining or discoloration.

To determine if your child is ready to begin treatment to whiten their teeth, scheduling a consultation with us is the first step. Our skilled doctors can determine the best treatment options, and help your child achieve that perfect smile.

Ready To Find Out More About Teeth Whitening?

If you are interested in finding out more about teeth whitening for your child, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your appointment. Your child’s oral health is our priority, and we provide quality dental care you can trust in a comfortable and welcoming environment.

To schedule your consultation, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you!

Is it Normal to Defer to a Pediatric Dentist for Fillings?

If your child has severe decay or an infection, you may think the only solution would be the pull the primary tooth. Instead, your dentist can treat the inside of the baby tooth to save the tooth by performing a root canal. There are many benefits to saving primary teeth, and keeping them in your child’s mouth as long as you can.

Root canals can help save a tooth from an infection in the pulp area or center of a tooth. During a root canal procedure, the inflamed area of the tooth is cleaned out and sealed to prevent bacteria from entering in the future. Today dentists believe saving a baby tooth is just as important as saving an adult tooth.

What Are the Recommendations if My Child Has a Cavity?

In many cases children do not even notice they have a cavity until the cavity has progressed and become very large. If the cavity is large a silver crown may be recommended because primary teeth cannot handle large fillings. If the cavity is smaller and only on the surface of the tooth, we may recommend just watching the area. Depending on the size of the cavity and the type of tooth, our team will recommend the best treatment, and determine if a filling is needed.

At Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, we always choose the least invasive option and have your child’s best interest at hand. Our team will look at the child’s dental history, and consider the child’s risk for future cavities. We will provide a customized treatment plan, and discuss this plan with the parents to help decide what option is best for the child.

What Can I Expect During My Child’s Filling Appointment?

Talking to your child before their visit is important. Explain to them that the appointment will be easy, and that they will feel better after their appointment. When you come in for the appointment, we will bring you to the treatment room, and discuss the treatment plan to confirm everyone knows what is required. We may allow the parent to be present during the procedure if the child has anxiety, and seems to need parental support. We can discuss what is best for your child, and work with each patient to ensure both the parent and patient are comfortable.

Once your child is comfortable in the treatment room our doctor will explain the procedure in terms that are easily understood, and show them some of the tools that will be used. We offer TV as a distraction, and this helps the child to stay calm during the procedure. If anesthetic is needed, we will first numb the area with a topical numbing cream to help the process go smoothly.

Our goal is to keep your child calm and comfortable during their procedure. Once the procedure is complete, we will allow the child to pick out a special prize for completing their appointment. If we have any post treatment recommendations, we will discuss them with the parent after the procedure is complete. Our goal at Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, is to ensure your child has the very best experience when they visit our office.

Interested in Scheduling an Appointment With Us?

If you think your child may have a cavity, or you have been referred to our practice for treatment, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry to schedule your appointment. Our doctors have years of experience in pediatric dentistry, and we provide the highest level of service. We look forward to you joining our dental family.

To schedule an appointment for your child, contact Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, and our friendly staff will be happy to assist you.