As a parent, your child’s health is a top priority, including their dental health. Teaching them a good oral hygiene routine is crucial for keeping their mouth clean and healthy. Regular dental visits are also important for their overall oral health.
At Advanced Dental Associates in San Antonio, we’re here to support you and your child in maintaining a healthy mouth and oral development. Our family dental services are for everyone. We also offer general dentistry services to new and existing patients in and around Bexar County.
Family Dentistry in San Antonio, TX
Many parents don’t know that their child should see the dentist by their first birthday. Regular dental check-ups during early childhood are really important for your child. They can stop cavities from forming and show you how to take good care of their mouth.
These visits make sure your child’s baby and adult teeth grow nicely and stay healthy without cavities. Our family dentists help stop serious oral health issues and keep your child from needing invasive dental work.
Our San Antonio dentists offer preventative services for children. Services include routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. Our goal with preventive care is to keep young teeth healthy and cavity-free. If there’s a problem, our restorative services can help fix it.
Restorative treatments might involve fillings, dental crowns, or a pulpotomy. If your child loses a baby tooth too early, we can put in a space maintainer. These are custom-made dental devices that save room in your child’s mouth after they lose a baby tooth.
Many children may also require orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces are usually the most common treatment. However, we can offer other orthodontic treatments like early two-phase orthodontics.
By using early treatments like palatal expanders, we can make sure your child’s mouth grows correctly. Our main goal is to help your child need less orthodontic treatment later on.
How can I help my child maintain a healthy mouth at home?
Start good oral care habits for your child early and at home. Even before their teeth come in, wipe their gums with a damp cloth after each feeding. Once their first teeth appear, switch to a soft toothbrush made for kids.
Teach your child how to brush their teeth as they grow up. Help them clean everywhere well until they can brush on their own around age 5 or 6. Keep an eye on them to make sure they brush correctly. If your child doesn’t like brushing, try doing it together while reading or playing music to make it more fun.
Parents often ask why it’s important to care for their baby’s teeth when they’ll eventually fall out. Baby teeth are crucial for eating, speaking, and holding space for adult teeth.
If a baby tooth gets infected, it can harm the adult tooth growing below it. Taking care of baby teeth isn’t just about them—it’s about keeping your child’s whole mouth healthy.
Age-Specific Dentistry
Family dentistry isn’t just for young children and their parents. We welcome patients of all ages to receive care at our office. The dental concerns most prevalent in toddlers and children aren’t the same ones most common in adults and seniors. We provide age-appropriate dental advice to protect you against common oral issues.
Adolescence Through Young Adulthood
As children get older and get their permanent teeth, it’s a crucial time for orthodontics. This is when they’re developing their permanent smile. Anyone at any age can get orthodontic treatment, but it works best when the mouth is still growing. Our office provides clear braces for mild to moderate orthodontic issues.
If there are more serious issues, we’ll refer your child to a trusted orthodontist. Wisdom teeth usually start causing issues in the late teens or early twenties. We keep an eye on their growth to avoid problems. Many mouths don’t have enough room for these extra molars.
As they come in, they can make your other teeth crowded and crooked. If wisdom teeth get stuck under your gums, they can hurt and get infections. We often suggest removing them to prevent problems.
Dental Care for Adults and Seniors
Our mouths continue to change as we age. We use our teeth every day, contributing to natural wear and tear. Teeth discolor as you age, and more so if you frequently eat and drink things that can stain them. Cosmetic improvements like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers can take years of stains off your teeth.
Missing teeth is the main dental problem that most seniors face. Medications and health conditions can cause dry mouth and other problems. These issues can make you more likely to get decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. When you lose a tooth, it can affect your oral health and jawbone right away.
But don’t worry, our dental office has options to replace missing teeth. We provide dental care for families in San Antonio. If you have questions about your child’s dental health, schedule an appointment with us. Call Advanced Dental Associates at 210-361-6847 today.