Kids Care
Bloomsburg and Danville PA
Oral health is crucial to overall health and, at Hamilton Dental Care, we provide care for your children to give them a healthy mouth for life. We believe the most important aspect of pediatric dentistry is a strong regimen of preventive care, to help stop oral health problems before they develop.
What is the most common chronic disease affecting American children?
It may surprise you to learn that the answer is tooth decay, which affects approximately half of first graders in America. Four out of every five children have dealt with tooth decay in some way by the time they reach their 17th birthday.
Research conducted by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that children in the U.S. miss about 52 million hours of school each year due to issues related to oral health.
Preventive care
We recommend you take your child to the dentist every six months, starting when he or she turns one year old or within six months after the first baby tooth erupts.
During your child’s visit, the dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of their mouth and teeth. This exam should include looking for evidence of tooth decay, while also monitoring your child’s growth and development of the jaw and teeth. Also, the dental hygienist will thoroughly clean and polish your child’s teeth, and provide instruction for proper brushing and flossing techniques.
As always, good oral hygiene should be the cornerstone of any regimen of preventive care. A dental visit also is an ideal time to answer any questions that you or your child has regarding at-home care.
The American Dental Hygiene Association recommends the following regimen of oral health for infants and children:
• For infants, clean gums thoroughly with a wet cloth after every feeding
• For babies, gently brush emerging primary teeth with a small, soft-bristled brush and a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste
• For children age 2-3, teach proper brushing techniques
• For children age 7-8, teach gentle flossing techniques
Easing your child’s dental fears
Parents also can do their part to alleviate dental anxiety by encouraging their children to talk about any fear they may have about going to the dentist. During these conversations, make sure to avoid using words such as “pain” or “hurt,” as they may only create more anxiety.
Other services
We can provide a space maintainer for children who need them. In the event your child loses a baby tooth early, a space maintainer is an oral appliance that keeps that space open so the permanent tooth can emerge in proper alignment.
We hope you consider Hamilton Dental Care to provide oral care for your entire family. Contact our office to learn more.
Hamilton Dental Care serves patients in the areas of Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA.
