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Preventive Dentistry – Palm Harbor, FL

Regular Appointments Keep Your Child Smiling

Your child should have their first pediatric dental visit fairly early in life (no later than their first birthday) to lay the foundation for excellent oral health. After this initial visit, you should return to our dental office every 6 months so that Dr. Maggie and Dr. Lorielle can perform comprehensive exams and thorough cleanings that will head off tooth decay and gum disease before they cause irreversible damage. Is your child due for their next appointment? If so, call us today for preventive dentistry in Palm Harbor, FL.

Why Choose Dr. Maggie Davis & Associates for Preventive Dentistry?

  • Caring Dentists Who Are Also Moms
  • A Spa-Like Atmosphere Where Children Can Relax
  • Most Insurance Carriers Accepted

Why Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings Are Important

Mother and daughter smiling in Palm Harbor

Regular six-month dental checkups and cleanings are essential to ensure the positive growth and development of a child’s smile. Because their teeth are continuously changing, it’s necessary that Dr. Maggie and Dr. Lorielle closely monitor for any signs of bite misalignment, tooth decay, gum disease, or other issues that may impact their oral and facial structures. Catching these problems early on makes it easier to treat and avoid more complex restorative or orthodontic care later on.

What Can Your Child Expect During a Dental Checkup and Cleaning?

Mother and daughter at dentist in Palm Harbor

Dr. Maggie and Dr. Lorielle believe in creating a fun and comfortable environment for all children. This is why our regular dental checkups and cleanings are designed to not only clean teeth and gums but also provide fun ways for children of all ages to learn and embrace good oral hygiene at home.

Checkups and Cleanings for Toddlers

Toddler smiles are frequently changing because of erupting teeth. Until they reach the age of 2.5-3, your child will continue to form new pearly whites. We’ll perform an exam to look for any signs of cavities before gently removing any plaque and tartar from their teeth and gums. We’ll also discuss how to brush their teeth at home, how much toothpaste to use (i.e., a smear or the size of a grain of rice), and nutrient-rich foods they can eat to minimize the risk of cavities.

Checkups and Cleanings for Children

As your child grows older, we will continue to examine their smiles while also capturing digital X-rays to see what is underneath the gum line. We will remove any bacterial accumulations to lower their risk of gum disease and discuss their brushing and flossing techniques at home. If necessary, we can provide helpful products that are designed to improve oral hygiene habits and encourage better oral health in between appointments. We may also talk about preventive measures such as fluoride treatment and/or dental sealants.

Checkups and Cleanings for Teens

Apart from the standard examination for your teenager’s developing smile, we’ll also monitor their bite to determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary. We will watch for third molar eruptions as well, as they tend to form between the ages of 17 and 25. Removing harmful plaque and tartar from their teeth is also necessary, as gum disease is just as much of a risk as tooth decay. You can expect our team to work with your teen to develop independence when caring for their smile so they are better prepared for adulthood.

Dental Sealants

Girl receiving dental sealants in Palm Harbor

During regular checkups, we may decide to apply a thin plastic resin coating called a dental sealant to your child’s molars. These teeth have many tiny pits and grooves where bacteria can be caught, making them especially prone to cavities. Sealants will protect these hard-to-brush chewing surfaces to lower your little one’s risk of tooth decay. Placing a sealant is a quick and painless process, and the material will last about 2 to 5 years (although it will need to be replaced or touched up every once in a while).

Dental Sealants

Non-Nutritive Habits

Girl sucking her thumb in Palm Harbor

Thumb-sucking helps babies feel calm and secure, but if they don’t give up the habit after their permanent teeth come in, they could be setting themselves up for complex orthodontic issues later in life. As a parent, it is extremely important to wean your child off of thumb-sucking and other non-nutritive habits long before unnecessary damage is done. Dr. Maggie and Dr. Lorielle can give you some guidance using proven strategies that have already helped countless children break the habit.

Fluoride Treatments

Patient receiving fluoride in Palm Harbor

During each visit, we can evaluate how much fluoride your child has been exposed to. Depending on the state of their teeth, we may recommend a topical fluoride treatment. This is often done to re-mineralize spots on the teeth that have been weakened; doing so can reverse the earliest forms of tooth decay and prevent the need for a filling in the future. Even healthy teeth can benefit from a fluoride treatment that strengthens the enamel.

At-Home Dental Care

Teenage girl brushing her teeth in Palm Harbor

How much toothpaste is right for your child? Is it okay for them to use fluoride-based products yet? Are they learning good brushing and flossing habits? We’ll take the time to teach your children the importance of good oral hygiene, and we’ll talk to you about the various factors that could affect their oral health, such as diet. With the right daily care, your little one can completely avoid cavities and other common dental issues.