Our Pediatric Dentistry Services

Our office provides specialized dentistry for children and adolescents in a warm, caring, and child-centered environment. 

As pediatric dentists, our 2-3 years of additional training after dental school have prepared us for each child’s unique dental needs. From infants to teenagers, we focus on preventive and personalized care to help each child grow up with a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.

Meet our dentists here!

 

Preventative Dental Care

Preventative dental care for your child simply means taking measures that will prevent your child from tooth decay, cavities, and any and all dental problems that can occur. Our highly-trained pediatric dentist will perform a professional cleaning with high-end tools that allow them to remove any buildup that can’t be reached at home. They will do a thorough exam to ensure there are no signs of any oral problems in your child’s mouth. Regular visits to our office for cleanings and checkups will save you and your child time, discomfort, and money down the line. 

If you have more questions, give us a call or visit our Dentistry for Children FAQ page here.

When Should My Child Visit the Dentist for the First Time?

It is recommended that children visit the dentist at the eruption of their first tooth or by six months of age. Whether or not it is your child’s first visit to the dentist ever or their first visit to our pediatric dentist in Edinburg, TX, we are excited to welcome you to our Smile family. Our team is compassionate and experienced and believes that trips to the dentist should be fun and comfortable. We do our best to make your child’s first visit to the dentist a good one.

Want to learn more about what you can expect and how to prepare for your child’s first visit? Visit our page on first-time visits here!

Fluoride Treatment

Our pediatric dentist may recommend a fluoride treatment if your child is prone to cavities. Fluoride is a natural mineral and can be found in many water supplies and foods. Your child will receive some fluoride from brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and their diet; however, a professional fluoride treatment can also strengthen their tooth enamel as well as help prevent tooth decay.

Bacteria, acids, and sugars in your child’s mouth attach their tooth enamel, demineralizing it, which may make your child susceptible to cavities. Fluoride remineralizes tooth enamel and strengthens it against decay-causing factors in the mouth. 

Pediatric Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are beneficial in that they are an excellent preventative treatment for your child’s teeth. They provide long-term protection from cavity-causing bacteria, food debris, and plaque.

Sealants are made of clear or tooth-colored resin material, and this material is painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. It forms a smooth coating over the tooth and helps shield the tooth from decay-causing bacteria, food debris, and plaque to keep teeth strong and healthy. Dental sealants also make it easier for your child to keep their teeth clean with daily flossing and brushing.

Dental sealants are recommended when your child’s permanent molars come in, which would be between the ages of 6 and 12. Depending on your child’s risk of developing cavities dental sealants may need to be applied to their teeth a few times, depending on your child’s risk of developing cavities and their general oral health development. 

Sealants last for several years after being applied and provide long-term protection as your child grows. Sealants can be applied in a few minutes during your child’s normal dental visit.

Sedation Dentistry for Children

The experiences your child has of the dentist in their childhood set the tone for how they feel about and manage their oral health for the rest of their lives. We want to do everything we can to make sure their experiences and memories are positive. One of the options we have to ensure that they are relaxed and comfortable is sedation dentistry.

You can opt for our sedation options if:

• your child struggles with dental anxiety
• your child has special needs
• multiple treatments are scheduled for one visit
• your child struggles to sit still or feel comfortable during visits

If you have questions about our sedation dentistry options, give us a call!

What Should I Do if My Child Has a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency requires immediate attention from your dentist. At our office, we understand that you can’t always plan when your child needs our care, and if your child experiences a dental emergency, we ask you to contact us as soon as possible so we can get you in to see our experienced pediatric dentist in Edinburg, TX.

Here are a few examples of dental emergencies:

• Lost dental restoration
• Severe toothaches or tooth pain
• Damage to the soft tissues in the mouth, including lips, cheeks, tongue, and gums (if there is excessive bleeding or any other symptoms that are not dental-related, call 911 or take your child to the nearest emergency room)
• Cracked or fractured tooth
• Fully knocked-out tooth
• A broken or chipped tooth

Start Your Child’s Smile Journey Today!

If you want to learn more about our pediatric dentistry services for your child, give us a call or schedule a consultation today! Our friendly staff will happily assist you. We look forward to meeting you and starting your smile journey together!

Gigglesville Pediatric Dentistry proudly serves the Edinburg, TX community and the surrounding cities of McAllen, Mission, and Pharr, TX.