Pediatric Dentistry

As your trusted choice for dentistry in and around Omaha, NE, we’re glad to provide excellence in dental care for patients of all ages – even the youngest ones in your family. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist or orthodontist, we at Pedodontics, P.C. are proud to be your premier choice. By offering both pediatric care and orthodontic care, we’re fully capable of taking care of all of your child’s oral health needs and helping develop a healthy smile that will last a lifetime. Because a healthy smile starts at a young age, we want you to know that we’ll be there for your child from the beginning, right as soon as his or her primary teeth first emerge.

The Importance of Primary Teeth

Unfortunately, there’s a not-too-uncommon belief that primary (baby) teeth aren’t that important because they fall out at an early age. However, the truth is that primary teeth actually play a critical role for your child because of the following reasons:

• Primary teeth serve as the guides for the eruption of the permanent teeth. These teeth will keep the proper spots open for the permanent teeth. If any primary teeth fall out early, the permanent teeth may end up shifting around and end up being misaligned. Your child’s primary teeth should fall out naturally when the permanent teeth start pushing against their roots.
• Your child’s primary teeth will help with several different important daily activities. These include chewing properly and speaking clearly.
• By taking care of his or her own primary teeth, your child will develop great dental and oral hygiene habits

Your Child’s Teeth

Your child has 20 primary teeth, all of which typically appear between the first six and nine months of age. The first ones that will erupt are usually the two lower front teeth. These are generally followed by the upper front teeth and then the molars and the canines. If your baby experiences any teething during the process, please don’t hesitate to let us know so that we can help you with your child’s discomfort.

During this time, you’ll need to clean your child’s teeth as well. When you’re cleaning your baby’s gums and newly-erupted teeth, you should wipe them gently with a damp cloth or a water-soaked gauze pad after each feeding. After your child reaches the age of two, you’ll want to help develop a daily brushing routine for your child. We suggest having your child use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and no more than a thin strip of fluoridated toothpaste. You’ll likely need to help your child with this task until the age of six.

Your Child’s First Visit to the Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child’s first visit to the dentist be by the time of his or her first birthday. During this first visit, we can help your child by checking for cavities, watching out for any developmental problems, and teaching you about proper oral hygiene techniques. An early visit to the dentist will also help your child become comfortable with the dentist and accepting of all the benefits that dentistry can provide.

Our Omaha, NE Pediatric Dentistry Treatments

At Pedodontics, P.C., we’re glad to offer a comprehensive selection of efficient dental treatments that can protect your child’s teeth and prevent them from decaying. Our pediatric dentistry treatments include:

Topical Fluoride – Topical fluoride is advantageous because it will incorporate into the enamel of your child’s teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to decay. While fluoride exists in toothpaste and most water supplies, it’s only there in small quantities. From our Omaha, NE office, we’re able to apply a higher level of concentration onto your child’s teeth.

Dental Sealants – Sealants are plastic coatings that are applied onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These chewing surfaces are the most vulnerable to tooth decay because they contain small crevices that are perfect environments for bacteria to get stuck in. Sealants are effective because they’ll smooth out these grooves and prevent food from getting trapped inside. They’re easy to apply and they’ll provide protection to teeth for many years to come.

Root Canal Treatment – Root canal treatment is crucial for saving teeth that are either severely decayed or badly injured. While many people think that root canals are only used on permanent teeth, they can be used on primary teeth as well. Saving primary teeth can end up preventing your child from requiring orthodontic treatment later on in life.

Bonding – Bonding is used to repair minor chips and fractures to a patient’s front teeth. These lifelike resins are made of plastic and glass. They can be used to fix both primary and permanent teeth.

Orthodontic Concerns

By the age of seven, most orthodontic problems are apparent. Because of this, you should have a pediatric orthodontist evaluate your child at this time. Interceptive orthodontic treatment can help direct proper tooth positioning and jaw growth as well. By providing your child with braces during this time, we can simplify – or even eliminate – the need for later orthodontic treatment.

Your Child and Sports

According to the American Dental Association, an athlete is 60 times more likely to incur dental harm when not wearing a mouthguard. If your child is active in sports, we strongly recommend wearing a custom-made mouthguard. Our mouthguards will be made specifically for your child by using a model of his or her teeth. It will provide better protection than an off-the-shelf model and it will pay dividends in the long run.

Contact Your Omaha, NE Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist Today!

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. If you’d like to schedule an appointment for your child, you can give us a call at (402) 330-5913. We look forward to putting your child on the path toward a lifetime of healthy smiles!