Children’s Dentist Arlington Heights

The Importance of Oral Health for Kids

Adults often think that their kids don’t need to worry about taking care of their primary (baby) teeth. Unfortunately, this is just not the case. Children who learn to care for their own teeth at an early age and who continue to make regular trips to the dentist’s office throughout their dental development are much more likely to have healthy adult teeth. When your child visits Costello & DeHart Dental Excellence, our team will help them develop great at-home hygiene and create positive associations with the dentist. Our goal is to help kids learn to love visiting the dentist.

At-Home Oral Hygiene Tips

As kids are learning to brush and floss on their own, our team of skilled hygienists can help them perfect their technique, but we rely on parents to check their work at home. Make sure kids are brushing for at least two minutes at a time at least twice a day. Help them to make sure they spend enough time brushing all sections of their teeth. While flossing isn’t a favorite activity for most adults, kids must floss at least once each day. Try to limit snacking between mealtimes and only offer sugary or acidic foods and drinks in moderation. Make sure kids who grind or clench their teeth during sleep have protective mouthguards and keep your little athlete’s smiles safe with sportsguards.

Dental Checkups & Cleanings for Kids

Children need to see our dental team for regular checkups and teeth cleanings every six months. These twice-yearly visits allow us to not only check their teeth and gums for decay and disease but also review and monitor their bite, which can easily become misaligned if left undetected. Also, with proper cleanings, we can remove harmful plaque and tartar for healthier smiles.

Dental Sealants

Children often have a hard time reaching molars and premolars when brushing and flossing. As a result, bad bacteria and food particles can become trapped in the pits and grooves of the chewing surfaces. To minimize the potential of decay and cavities, we can apply dental sealants to create a barrier against harmful debris and your tooth enamel – one that can last for up to 10 years!

Silver Diamine Fluoride

When a child has a dental cavity that is spreading, we can apply silver diamine fluoride (SDF) to help eliminate the bacteria and stop the spread. SDF also works to strengthen existing tooth enamel and protect against dental decay in the future. Although silver diamine fluoride is not a permanent solution, it can be an ideal one for children who may be fearful of receiving a tooth-colored filling early on.

Pulp Treatment

When an infection forms inside the tooth, your child will likely complain of pain. This is because the nerve of the tooth is damaged or decayed. To fix the problem and help your child experience relief from the discomfort, we can perform pulp treatment. By removing a portion or all of the pulp (this is determined during a consultation), we can alleviate the pain and save the tooth from possible extraction.

Athletic Mouthguards/Sportsguards

Dr. Costello and Dr. DeHart both have children who love playing sports. As parents who want their kids to have fun, they also want their young ones properly protected. By crafting customized athletic mouthguards, we can help you and your child feel more at ease when preparing for a big game. Worn over the top row of teeth, these are customized to fit comfortably so that they remain inside the mouth for maximum protection.