Children's Dentistry
Building Healthy Smiles from the Very Beginning
Children’s dentistry focuses on protecting your child’s teeth, gums, and oral development from infancy through the teen years. Early dental visits help prevent cavities, monitor the growth of developing teeth and jaws, and establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime. With regular preventive care, many common dental problems can be detected and treated before they become more serious.
As part of our preventive dentistry services, children’s dentistry works alongside dental hygiene to teach healthy brushing and flossing habits, supports long-term oral health by monitoring changes in your child’s mouth, and helps identify concerns such as sensitive teeth or other developing dental conditions early. As children grow, the healthy habits they develop through regular preventive dental visits can carry into adulthood. Consistent checkups, professional cleanings, and ongoing monitoring help protect their smile throughout every stage of life.
Helping Your Child Feel Comfortable at the Dentist
Children's Dentistry Services for Your Child's First Visit
Your child’s first dental visit is an important milestone, and our team is committed to making it a positive experience. We recommend scheduling your child’s first appointment by age three, or sooner if you have concerns about their oral health.
During your child’s visit, we’ll perform a gentle examination of their teeth, gums, and developing bite while answering any questions you have about their dental development. Our goal is to help your child feel comfortable in the dental office while building a foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Many parents choose to bring their child along to one of their own appointments first, allowing them to become familiar with our office, our team, and the dental environment before their first exam.
Monitoring Healthy Growth and Development
- Proper chewing and nutrition
- Normal speech development
- Guiding permanent teeth into their proper position
- Supporting healthy jaw growth
By monitoring your child’s oral development during regular preventive visits, we can identify concerns such as early decay, sensitive teeth, or bite development issues while they are easier to treat.
Preventive Dental Care for Children
Preventive care is the foundation of children’s dentistry at Mid Cities Dental. During routine checkups, we examine your child’s teeth for early signs of cavities, evaluate their gums, and provide professional cleanings as part of our Dental Hygiene services to remove plaque that brushing may miss.
We’ll also work with parents to encourage healthy habits at home by discussing:
- Age-appropriate brushing and flossing techniques
- Fluoride recommendations
- Nutrition choices that help reduce cavities
- Changes in your child’s oral development
As children grow, regular preventive visits allow us to monitor their oral health and address small concerns before they require more extensive treatment.
Dental Sealants for Added Cavity Protection
One of the most effective preventive services we provide for children is dental sealants. Sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities most commonly develop.
Many children benefit from sealants between the ages of 6 and 14, when their permanent molars erupt. The procedure is quick, comfortable, and can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay by protecting the deep grooves that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush alone.
The video below features Dr. Eberlein explaining how dental sealants help protect children’s teeth and why they are an important part of preventive dental care.
Dental Sealants for Added Cavity Protection
One of the most effective preventive services we provide for children is dental sealants. Sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities most commonly develop.
Many children benefit from sealants between the ages of 6 and 14, when their permanent molars erupt. The procedure is quick, comfortable, and can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay by protecting the deep grooves that are difficult to clean with a toothbrush alone.
The video below features Dr. Eberlein explaining how dental sealants help protect children’s teeth and why they are an important part of preventive dental care.
Children's Dentistry Includes Dental Sealants for Your Child's Teeth
Services We Offer for Kids
It’s important to get kids started off on the right foot. At Mid Cities Dental, we offer children’s dentistry to kids of all ages. In fact, we encourage parents to arrange a special time when they bring their young child with them to one of their own visits. The child gets acquainted with the facility, our staff, their dentist, and gains a level of comfort before they are ever seen themselves. Here are some answers to several common dental questions concerning your child and the services we offer to help you.
Children's Dentistry Includes Your Child’s First Dental Visit
Children's Dentistry Shows You Why Their Primary Teeth So Important
Children's Dentistry is the Best Care of Your Child’s Teeth
Begin daily brushing as soon as the child’s first tooth erupts. A pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough not to swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age seven to make sure they are doing a thorough job. However, each child is different. Your dentist can help you determine whether the child has the skill level to brush properly.
Proper brushing removes plaque from the inner, outer and chewing surfaces. When teaching children to brush, place toothbrush at a 45 degree angle; start along gum line with a soft bristle brush in a gentle circular motion. Brush the outer surfaces of each tooth, upper and lower. Repeat the same method on the inside surfaces and chewing surfaces of all the teeth. Finish by brushing the tongue to help freshen breath and remove bacteria.
Flossing removes plaque between the teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. Flossing should begin when any two teeth touch. You may wish to floss the child’s teeth until he or she can do it alone. Use about 18 inches of floss, winding most of it around the middle fingers of both hands. Hold the floss lightly between the thumbs and forefingers. Use a gentle, back-and-forth motion to guide the floss between the teeth. Curve the floss into a C-shape and slide it into the space between the gum and tooth until you feel resistance. Gently scrape the floss against the side of the tooth. Repeat this procedure on each tooth. Don’t forget the backs of the last four teeth.
Sealants
Dental Sealants: The best time range to apply sealants to your children’s teeth is between the ages of 6-14 years old.
Related Children's Dentistry Articles
Baby Teeth Are Important! Here’s Why You Should Care About Them
Explore Our Other Dental Services
Mid Cities Dental offers complete dental care for patients of all ages in Hurst, TX. In addition to preventive dentistry, we provide restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental services to help protect, repair, and improve your smile.