Pediatric Dental Services

in Hutto, TX

Starting a child early with regular dental exams and care can mean a lifetime of better oral health. From the time of a child’s first tooth, the dentist can help start patterns of eating and hygiene that can protect against early tooth decay, as well as tooth alignment and gum problems in adulthood. Also, bringing the child to a dentist make him/her get used to the dentist.

In addition to regular cleanings, a dentist can apply sealants to protect young teeth from decay. The dentist can also help select mouth guards to prevent sports injuries, and provide timely diagnosis and treatment of orthodontic problems. Nitrous Oxide gas (Laughing gas) sedation is also available for anxious patients. Highlight Dentistry of Hutto welcomes children of all ages and will make their visit more fun!

Infant/toddler first-time visits

The first tooth is a milestone in your baby’s life. As soon as the first tooth emerges, or by their first birthday, your child should have their first dental checkup. At this visit, we will:

Review your baby’s medical history and any concerns you have

Examine your baby’s mouth for any signs of decay or other problems

Show you how to clean their teeth

Early and regular dental visits can help your child avoid decay, a problem for 40% of 2- to 5-year olds. Developing good dental hygiene from the first tooth will help your child grow strong teeth so they learn to chew properly and speak clearly, and make space for the permanent teeth to come in properly. We will make your child’s first visit a pleasant experience and help your child start on the road to cavity-free teeth and healthy mouths.

New Patient Exam

As a new patient, we want to welcome you and your child to our office. Our goal is to make your child feel comfortable in our office by encouraging them to trust us and by helping to alleviate their fears. Our kid-friendly staff is skilled at helping children have a positive experience in our office.

At your child’s first exam, we ask you to stay with the child in the treatment room. During this visit, we will:

  • Review your child’s dental and health information
  • Take any necessary xrays and thoroughly examine the teeth, gums, head and neck
  • Perform a professional dental cleaning
  • Demonstrate correct brushing and oral hygiene techniques
  • Discuss proper diet and nutrition
  • Determine a treatment plan, if needed

We’re happy to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. We want this first visit to be educational and fun for both you and your child. 

Cleanings

An essential part of maintaining your child’s oral health is having regular professional cleanings. During your cleaning appointment, the hygienist will perform a thorough examination of gums and take any necessary radiographs. Following this, she will proceed to clean the child’s teeth, floss, and polish. The dentist will then examine the child’s mouth, the cleaning, and the radiographs.

For most children, we recommend professional cleaning every six months to keep their mouths healthy and avoid the number one chronic childhood infection: tooth decay.

Remove plaque and tartar

Plaque is a sticky film containing bacteria that attack tooth enamel and causing cavities. Plaque left on teeth over time hardens and becomes calculus (tartar), which can only be removed with dental tools. Without proper care, plaque and tartar can lead to periodontal disease.

Polish teeth

This final step removes minor stains and, more importantly, polishes the enamel so that it is difficult for future plaque to adhere to the teeth while making teeth their whitest and brightest!

Treat with fluoride

Dental fluoride application is highly recommended after dental cleanings. Fluoride makes the enamel stronger, more resistant to acid produced by bacteria.

For most children, we recommend a professional cleaning every six months to keep their mouths healthy and avoid the number one chronic childhood infection: tooth decay.

Digital X-Rays

Children’s mouths grow quickly and changes occur that cannot be seen in a visual exam. Your child’s dental exam will include x-rays every 12-18 months to evaluate the teeth and mouth for conditions such as cavities, erupting teeth, extra or missing teeth and bone disease. To protect your child while taking x-rays, our office uses the necessary shield and the latest digital technology, which has greatly improved the safety, comfort and speed of x-rays:

  • Exposure to radiation is reduced by 80 - 90%!
  • A wired sensor in the mouth replaces the awkward biting down on plastic cases.
  • With images available in seconds, there is no waiting for film to develop and visits are shorter.
  • Images can be enhanced to show the fine details, allowing the doctor to diagnose conditions in the very early stages.

With digital x-rays, we can provide the safest and most pleasant dental experience for you and your child.

Sealants

Food and bacteria can become packed in the grooves of the back molars, and even the most careful brushing and flossing cannot fully clean these areas. Dental sealants are clear plastic coverings that protect the chewing surfaces from tooth decay by providing a barrier to food and bacteria. Application is simple and painless:

The sealant is painted onto the tooth, filling depressions and grooves.

Hardening takes place in just a matter of seconds.

Most applications last several years with normal chewing and biting.

Sealants can be reapplied as necessary.

Children should get sealants on their permanent molars as soon as the teeth come in — before decay attacks the teeth. Teenagers and young adults who are prone to decay may also need sealants. Sealants are a cost-effective prevention option, and when used along with regular dental check-ups and cleanings, provide the most effective defense for tooth decay. Highlight Dentistry of Hutto can apply them during a regular check-up.

Fluoride Treatments

Tooth enamel is dissolved and replaced constantly in the mouth, and fluoride makes that replacement material much stronger. Research indicates fluoride can help prevent cavities by:

  • Making the tooth enamel stronger to protect against acids in the mouth formed by bacteria and sugar; and
  • Helping reduce the amount of bacteria that stays 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 use of fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes and a diet that includes foods with natural fluoride may be sufficient. However, children under 6 with any history of decay and older children with a few cavities and other risk factors are at moderate to high risk for decay and may benefit from professional fluoride applications. We will evaluate your child’s dental health and offer fluoride treatments in our office if needed.

 

Recall Exam

At least 60% of kindergartners suffer from tooth decay, the number one childhood disease. Even with daily brushing and flossing, plaque can still develop, particularly in areas that are difficult to reach. Only professional cleanings can remove the plaque and tartar that cause tooth decay and gum disease. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatrics and Highlight Dentistry of Hutto recommend that your child have regular dental check-ups beginning at age one.

At the check-up, which typically takes 30-60 minutes, we will:

Review your child’s medical and dental history

Examine the teeth, oral tissues and jaws

Clean and polish the teeth

Discuss proper brushing and oral hygiene techniques

Provide fluoride treatments or sealants as needed

The dentist will advise you about any decay or other problems requiring treatment, and our staff will schedule an appointment for the treatment. Regularly scheduled visits will help your child keep their teeth for a lifetime.

Simple Extractions

The removal of single teeth may be necessary to maintain the health of your child’s remaining teeth, permanent teeth and mouth. After evaluating all options, extraction may be the best or only choice. Teeth are most commonly extracted due to:

Interference with the growth of a permanent tooth

Problems with long or misshapen roots

Severe trauma or decay

After determining that extraction is necessary, we will discuss the treatment with you. In some cases, we may recommend replacing the extracted tooth with a space maintainer to keep the teeth and jaw from shifting and creating problems with chewing and dental health. Most tooth extractions are very routine procedures. We will make sure your child is comfortable, using local anesthesia to completely numb the area. The mouth should heal and return to normal in just a few days.

Spacer Maintainers 

When baby (primary) teeth are lost before the permanent teeth erupt, the space may need to be filled with a space maintainer (spacer). Not only are primary teeth used for chewing and speech development, they guide permanent teeth into the spaces where they belong without shifting, and protect the mouth from crowding and future orthodontic problems. Spacers are removed when the new tooth erupts.

Not every space needs to be filled:

The four upper front teeth spaces will stay open on their own.

If a permanent tooth is ready to erupt, your child may not need a spacer.

But if space is already a problem, a spacer may be necessary.

Space maintainers are made of stainless steel or plastic, and come in two forms:

Fixed – cemented onto the teeth on either side of the space

Removable – looks like a retainer, used primarily for cosmetic space filling

Regular brushing and good oral hygiene are especially important. During your child’s regular dental check-ups at Highlight Dentistry of Hutto, we will inspect the spacers and follow the progress of the incoming permanent teeth.

Book Your Appointment Today!

Experience the Brightest Smiles with Highlight Family Dentistry of Hutto! Call us at (512) 886-2644 and begin your journey to perfect oral health. Where every smile is a masterpiece!
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