Our pediatric dentistry office in Jacksonville, FL offers a variety of general treatments and preventative dental care services for children. We encourage you to bring your child in when their first tooth appears, usually around six months of age, but certainly no later than twelve months old. That way, they can then get used to coming for routine cleanings and examinations.
Their teeth are very important to their health, not only cosmetically but also because they are necessary for chewing, speech development, and maintaining space in the mouth for permanent teeth, which start erupting around six and seven years of age.
By visiting a pediatric dentist, you are selecting the experts that not only prioritize smile care but child connection as well. Call today to schedule their appointment!
Pediatric Cleanings & Exams
Children are not simply born with healthy mouths; it takes regular, preventive dental care to keep their smiles in the best condition. From the very beginning, we encourage you to bring your child in for cleanings every six months, starting with the first tooth.
- During these cleanings, we will take care to gently brush and floss your child’s teeth.
- Once this is done, we will conduct a full examination to determine if there are any issues with the health of their teeth, gums, or alignments of their bite.
- By doing this, we know that proper oral care will become a lifelong habit and have the potential to benefit their health for a lifetime.
At the end of each appointment, we will inform you of any treatment needs and answer questions regarding those treatments. We make it a priority to provide you with the information you need to support your child in maintaining great dental hygiene at home.
Professional Athletic Mouthguards
Athletic mouthguards are important for any child with high activity, especially if they are playing sports. According to the American Dental Association, one out of five children will have some kind of sports-related dental injury by the time they’re old enough for high school sports teams. A mouthguard can help protect against injuries to the teeth, jaw, and soft oral tissues.
A professional mouthguard is one that has been customized to the child’s teeth and designed by a dental professional. A custom-made mouthguard offers more protection than a store-bought, do-it-yourself alternative. This is because they tightly fit the teeth, leaving no room for the teeth or jaw to shift or become altered due to impact. Our office provides custom-made professional athletic mouthguards that are thick enough to protect your child’s smile and prevent the occurrence of emergency injuries.
For an appointment to have a professional mouthguard created for your child, please give our office a call today.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
The third molars, otherwise known as wisdom teeth, are located in the four back corners of the mouth and can usually appear between the ages of 17 and 25 years of age. In some cases, however, they can also start to come in at a much earlier time. We recommend removing these teeth as soon as they begin to develop because this can prevent problems in the future, such as the following:
- Impaction
- Cyst development
- Tooth decay
- Damage to other teeth
The most common reason to remove children’s wisdom teeth is usually due to the limited space in their mouth. Since they often don’t have enough room to grow in properly, they will emerge at an angle or get stuck as other teeth erupt. The removal process typically proceeds as follows:
- The precise location of the wisdom tooth or teeth is found on an x-ray.
- Once we locate the tooth, we plan for surgery.
- After supplying adequate local anesthetic to keep your child comfortable, we will create a small incision over the gum tissue.
- The tooth is removed through the incision and sutured closed for healing.
Education For Parents & Kids
At Weaver and Stratton Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we understand how important it is for parents and children to have a pleasant dental experience. You can expect every visit with us to be welcoming and informative for both you and your child. What we strive for at our office is to help educate you both about proper dental care, depending on your child’s particular needs, age, and current health.
At every appointment, we will answer any questions, discuss prevention strategies for healthy teeth at home, and, most importantly, we will include your child in the dental care process. We want to foster open communication so that you feel comfortable with the care your child is receiving and understand the need for any treatment.
Please don’t be afraid to ask questions when it comes to your child’s health and well-being! That is what we are here for.
A Home Away From Home
Our team at Weaver and Stratton Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics know how scary a visit to the dentist’s office can be for a young child, and we do everything we can to make them feel at ease. We have designed the office with children in mind, with a creative zoo theme and fun animals adorning every corner of the office.
While there is plenty of room for parents to sit and wait, they are always invited to the treatment room to make children more comfortable. Our team members are trained to interact with children, so your child will feel safe and secure when under our care. Visit our office to introduce your child to dentistry that is fun, professional, and comfortable for every child. Call our team today!