The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist within six months after their first tooth erupts, or before the first birthday. This visit provides a great opportunity to ask your dentist whether your child’s oral health is the best it can be, and to learn a few tips and tricks to care for your child’s teeth and mouth.

Dr. Van Sicklen takes pride in providing highly personalized service, assessing each child’s situation individually and discussing the most appropriate treatment options with parents.

Preventative Care

Each cleaning and exam visit starts with oral hygiene instruction. This includes showing patients and their parents’ areas that may be missed when they are brushing at home. Dental treatment is most effective if our patients understand the importance of properly caring for their teeth at home.

X-rays

We evaluate each patient individually for their x-ray needs in order to limit unnecessary exposure.

Sealants

Sealants are a protective coating placed in the grooves of permanent molars. These help to prevent bacteria and debris from collecting on the chewing surfaces of molars where the toothbrush cannot reach. Although sealants are not 100% effective in preventing cavities, they can greatly reduce the risk.

Fluoride

Fluoride helps to prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and promoting re-mineralization to needed areas. There are new guidelines regarding the use of fluoride. Fluorosis (a condition that weakens enamel) can occur if fluoride is overused. We assess the individual needs of each patient when making recommendations for fluoride use.

Preventative Orthodontics

We offer a variety of options to help minimize alignment problems, lessen future orthodontic treatment, and aid the orthodontist in the patient’s future orthodontic care. Some of these options include tooth guidance, habit and expansion appliances, and space maintainers.

Cosmetic

We always chose the most aesthetically pleasing material when restoring permanent or baby teeth. There are many options available and we are happy to discuss the pros and cons of each and make the final decision together.