Pediatric Preventive Dentistry In Manhattan Beach
What is Preventive Dentistry?
Preventive dentistry is the cornerstone of lifelong oral health. It focuses on protecting your child's teeth, gums, and overall well-being by preventing common dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease before they start. Our gentle, kid-friendly approach to preventive dentistry sets your child up for success by making dental visits fun, educational, and stress-free. At Toothlings, we believe in the power of proactive care to help your child develop a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
The Benefits of Preventive Care
Protects Oral Health
Regular preventive care is essential for protecting your child's oral health. By visiting the dentist every six months, we can closely monitor your child's dental development, promptly detect any concerns, and provide early intervention to keep their smile on track. Preventive treatments like cleanings, fluoride, and sealants help shield your child's teeth from cavities and infections, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Establishes Healthy Habits
Preventive visits are the perfect opportunity to teach your child the importance of good oral hygiene habits at home. Our team will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques in an engaging, easy-to-understand way, helping your child take pride in caring for their smile. We can also provide personalized guidance on diet and nutrition to help your child make smile-friendly choices. Building these healthy habits early on lays the foundation for a lifetime of optimal oral health.
Saves Time & Money
Investing in preventive care now can save your family significant time and money in the long run. By proactively protecting your child's smile and catching any concerns early on, we can help your child avoid the need for more complex, costly dental treatments down the road. Preventive care keeps dental issues small and helps your child steer clear of negative experiences that could lead to dental anxiety
Preventive Services
Our comprehensive preventive services are designed to help your child achieve and maintain optimal oral health.
Baby teeth are often under-mineralized when they first come into the mouth, putting some children at higher risk of dental decay. We offer a variety of remineralization strategies to help prevent and even reverse the early signs of cavities. From fluoride to more integrative options, we'll work with your family to make the best choice for your child.
Dr. Grant thoroughly examines your child's teeth, gums, and oral structures to assess their dental development and screen for any issues. We also evaluate their growth and development, assess their airway health, and make any appropriate referrals to our pediatric partners.
Our digital x-rays use the lowest amount of radiation, allowing us to safely see what's happening beneath the surface of your child's smile and detect concerns that may not be visible to the naked eye. Dr. Grant reviews each child's risks on an individual basis, and only requests images deemed absolutely necessary. Additionally, our equipment is specially designed for pediatric use, allowing it to fit more comfortably into a child's mouth and limiting the need for excessive imaging due to poor positioning.
Even little smiles need to be clean! We gently remove unwanted plaque and tartar buildup from your child's teeth, leaving their smile fresh and squeaky clean.
Dental sealants are thin, clear coatings we apply onto the chewing surfaces of your child's back teeth to seal out cavity-causing bacteria and acids. They are proven to greatly reduce the incidence of decay in some of the most vulnerable areas of the mouth.
Silver diamine fluoride is an alternative cavity treatment that can stop decay in its tracks without the need for numbing or drilling. It's especially helpful for young children and those with special healthcare needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting, whichever comes first.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children visit the dentist every six months for preventive care. Some children may need to be seen more frequently, depending on their unique oral health needs.