Children's Dental Care in Wayzata, MN

At our practice, you can rest assured that our children’s dentist specializes in making children and their parents feel comfortable during their visit. A kids’ dentist has plenty of tips to offer that will help you establish healthy oral habits at home to keep your child’s smile beautiful, and set him or her up for a lifetime of optimum dental health.

If you’ve been wondering, “Where is there a children’s dentist near me?” you’ve come to the right place. Give our office a call today to book an appointment with one our outstanding team.

When Should You Take Your Child to the Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a child should see a dentist by the age of one year. This is because once a child has a tooth come in, that tooth can get a cavity. In addition, a regular oral health routine that includes flossing is required once a child has two or more teeth that touch each other. This ensures that cavities won’t form between the teeth.

A common problem experienced by babies and toddlers is baby bottle tooth decay. This consists of cavities (dental decay) that form when milk, juice, formula or sugar water are left to sit on the teeth, which often occurs when a child goes to bed with a bottle or a sippy cup resting in their mouth. That’s why your children’s dentist will recommend that you never send your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup.

What Should You Expect During Your Child’s Visit to the Dentist?

During a pediatric dental examination, the dentist will check your child’s teeth and jaw alignment for any problems. If your child is old enough and comfortable enough, the exam will be done in the dental chair. If your child is very young or scared, the dentist can examine the child while they’re sitting in your lap. If X-rays are needed to check for tooth decay or other dental problems, they will be done at this visit. In most cases, small children will not need to have X-rays taken.

Our children’s dentist and our knowledgeable staff have plenty of experience in ensuring that your child’s smile remains healthy and bright.

We offer the following kids’ dental care services:

• Teeth Cleaning for Children: A specialist in dentistry for kids knows how to encourage children to open their mouths wide enough for the teeth to be properly cleaned.
• Fluoride: Fluoride helps to fight cavities. A topical application of fluoride is placed onto the enamel of the teeth. This makes the teeth more resistant to decay.
• Dental Sealants: Dental sealants are thin, protective layers of a plastic material that keep food and bacteria from becoming trapped in the grooves that exist on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth.
• Fillings: If your child has a cavity, our dentist will carefully take out the damaged part of the tooth and repair it with a filling. Amalgam fillings or tooth-colored fillings are the most commonly utilized filling types for cavities.
• Pediatric Crowns: If a cavity is too large to repair with a filling, our dentist will cap the tooth with a pediatric tooth crown. These are also used in cases where a child has to have a root canal performed.
• Mouthguards: According to the American Dental Association, children should wear mouthguards to protect their teeth during almost any kind of athletic activity. This includes football, hockey, boxing, gymnastics, ice-skating and many other types of athletics. A mouthguard will minimize the risk of teeth breaking, coming loose or being knocked out should the child suffer a blow to the face.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

A child’s baby teeth typically begin to come in somewhere between four and seven months of age. Most children have all of their teeth by the time they are three years old.

When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Baby teeth generally begin to fall out sometime between the ages of six and seven. In most cases, children will have lost all of their baby teeth by the time they reach the age of 12.

What Causes Toothaches in Children?

Children often experience toothaches when they have tooth decay or gum disease. Infections in the teeth or gums can also cause toothaches.

If your child is experiencing a toothache, it is important that you see a children’s dentist in Wayzata as soon as possible.