Dental cleanings and exams are two of the most basic yet

important preventive treatments we provide at our office.

Each time your child visits our dental practice for a

checkup, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and

dental exam to help their smile stay healthy. During your

child's teeth cleaning and exam, our dental team will:

• Clean your child's teeth by removing any plaque or tartar (also called dental calculus),
• which can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease
• Floss and polish your child's teeth for a healthy, bright smile
• Examine your child's smile for signs of any damaging dental conditions or diseases
  

We utilize dental X-rays to further evaluate your child's smile and make certain that they receive the dental care you need. Regular dental cleanings and exams are essential in maintaining good oral health, preventing

cavities and gum disease, and making sure that any damaging conditions are treated as early as possible.

Our pediatric dentists recommend that your child visits us every six months for a routine dental cleaning and exam. We may suggest more frequent visits if needed, and we

also encourage you to contact us if your child has a dental emergency, or suffers from pain or injury. To schedule your child's next appointment, we invite you to contact our office today (970) 879-7976.

Fluoride is a mineral that is naturally found in water and

many foods. While your child can receive a certain amount of fluoride from their diet and from using toothpaste with fluoride, we may recommend fluoride treatment to further strengthen your child's teeth and prevent cavities.

Fluoride helps to strengthen your child's teeth and protect them from tooth decay. As your child eats and drinks throughout the day, bacteria, sugars, and acids constantly attack and demineralize the enamel layer of their teeth. Fluoride works to remineralize the tooth enamel, preventing tooth decay and cavities. In addition, fluoride can strengthen the teeth as they develop to make sure they are strong and healthy, making fluoride very important for children as their teeth grow in.

Our pediatric dentists often recommend professional

fluoride treatment during your child's regular dental

checkup, and we may suggest further fluoride treatment if

their teeth are prone to decay or if they are not receiving a

sufficient amount of fluoride from other sources.

Professional fluoride is available in the form of a gel,

varnish, or foam. Fluoride treatment is just one of the ways

our pediatric dentist helps keep your family's smiles

healthy for a lifetime.

Digital X-rays are one of the advanced diagnostic tools we use to provide you and your family with the best possible care. Digital radiography has changed the way we take dental X-rays by making the process faster, more comfortable, and more convenient than ever before. Digital X-rays use a digital sensor to take images of your child's teeth, unlike traditional X-rays that use film. Digital X-rays use significantly less radiation than conventional film X-rays, and they require the use of no chemicals for developing the images. Our pediatric dentist can then instantly view the high-quality images on monitors right in the treatment room to provide you with efficient, accurate

diagnoses and your child with the care they need. Our team is able to use digital radiography to identify and diagnose several types of dental problems, such as:

• Decay in between teeth
• Developmental abnormalities
• Improper tooth root positioning
• Cysts and abscesses
• Fractures in existing fillings
• Tumors
• Infection in the tooth nerves
• Bone loss

We may also use digital dental X-rays to plan certain kinds of dental treatment, such as oral surgery procedures, root canal treatment, dental implants, and more. To learn more about digital radiography and how we use X-rays at our office, we welcome you to call or visit us soon.

During your child's time at our office, our team works hard to improve their oral health. It is essential, however, that you help your child to take care of their smile at home through consistent oral hygiene. Good dental hygiene includes a number of daily habits and practices that help to

keep your smile healthy and bright. Our pediatric dentists recommend that you help your child follow these basic steps to help keep their smile in optimal health:

• Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day. We encourage you to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a toothpaste that includes fluoride.
• Floss at least once every day. The most important time to floss is just before you go to sleep at night.
• Eat a balanced diet. Limiting your child's intake of very sugary and acidic foods can help to prevent tooth decay.
• Maintain your child's regular visits to the pediatric dentist every six months. During these visits, we will provide a professional teeth cleaning and a thorough dental exam to make certain we provide any needed preventive or restorative treatments

When your child visits our pediatric dentists and team, we will review their dental hygiene habits with you and offer needed information on any additional steps you can take to further help your child improve their oral health.