The Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry for Healthier Smiles

A common question parents have about their child visiting the dentist is how important is it to take care of baby teeth that will eventually fall out. The answer — that taking good care of your teeth during childhood can have a dramatic impact on dental and oral health for the rest of your life — surprises many people. At Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, Allen, TX pediatric dentist Dr. Yvonne Felli and our caring team are dedicated to ensuring your child is set up for a lifetime of enjoying a strong, healthy, beautiful smile with a complete range of pediatric dental services, from preventive to restorative and beyond. Here, we'll explore the many benefits of establishing a dental home for your child to ensure their long-term oral health.

Why do kids need to go to the dentist?

While it's true that baby teeth will eventually fall out, it is still critical to care for your child's baby teeth and to establish a routine schedule with a pediatric dentist early in life. In most cases, children should visit the dentist twice per year for a dental exam and professional teeth cleaning. Not only do these appointments help remove plaque and tartar buildup to discourage cavities, but they also give Dr. Felli an opportunity to evaluate the teeth, gums, jaw, and other structures of the mouth to ensure proper development and identify any potential issues in the earliest stage possible — when they may be easier and more successfully treated. Maintaining the health of baby teeth and ensuring growth, development, and alignment of the teeth can also help to establish a healthier and more appropriate environment for adult teeth, preserve facial and jaw structure, and more. Another important benefit of pediatric dentistry is simply giving your child the opportunity to establish healthy dental habits and routines they can carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.

What happens during a kid's dental visit?

Each pediatric dental appointment is fully customized to align with the specific needs of your child. Generally speaking, routine pediatric dental visits often include:

• Dental exam
• Evaluation of gums, jaw, tongue, and other structures and tissues
• Assessment of overall dental and oral development
• Professional cleaning and polishing
• Fluoride treatment, if recommended
• Dental x-rays as needed
• Review of proper at-home oral hygiene instructions
• Discussion of any concerns, symptoms, or changes in dental and oral health

Based on the findings of the dental exam, Dr. Felli may recommend additional treatments or procedures be performed at the time of the appointment — or at a subsequent appointment — as needed. These may include the application of dental sealants, a filling to address a cavity that may have been identified, or the discussion of potential orthodontic treatments. By adhering to a regular pediatric dental follow-up schedule, you can help your child enjoy a healthier, stronger, more comfortable, and more beautiful smile that sticks with them for years.

Give your child the ultimate gift of a healthy smile with regular pediatric dental visits in Allen, TX

At Cuddly Smiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, our caring team believes that every child deserves to have a lifetime of strong, healthy, beautiful teeth. We are proud to accept most insurance plans, allowing families to establish a dental home they can count on throughout childhood and beyond. For more information about the long-term benefits of pediatric dentistry for keeping your child's smile healthy from now and into adulthood, call to schedule a pediatric dental visit in Allen, TX with Dr. Yvonne Felli today.