Smile Brighter: Gentle Teeth Cleaning Services for Kids in Baton Rouge

We know a trip to the dentist can be frightening, especially for young children. That’s why our team here at Elements Dental Spa – Baton Rouge Dentist & Aesthetics Spa takes great care in implementing a gentle and efficient approach with children that ensures they receive the proper care with as little discomfort as possible.

We aim to work together to build a positive and educational relationship. Our dentists actively engage both parents and children, ensuring that parents are actively included in their children’s dental health and helping children understand the importance of good dental hygiene.

When Should Your Child See a Dentist?

The road to a healthy, happy smile begins at an early age. Your child can start seeing a dentist six months after their first tooth erupts, but you want to start their preventative care no later than age seven.

For children with developing dental conditions, that schedule can shift to every three months. The sooner potential issues are recognized, the sooner they can be addressed. 

We offer a full scope of dental procedures for infants, preschoolers, kids, teenagers, and children with special needs.

Our services for children include the following:

• Dental injury care
• Preventive dental care such as cleaning, nutrition, diet recommendations, and fluoride treatments
• Oral health exams for infants
• Early assessment and treatment for teeth straightening & bite correction
• Extractions (“wiggling” out teeth)
• Fillings
• Pulpotomies (baby root canals) for teeth with deep decay
• Stainless steel crowns to protect teeth with large areas of decay or pulpotomies.
• Space maintainers preserve space for a permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost early
• Dental Sealants 

We are dedicated to your children’s oral health from infancy through their teen years— and beyond. We aim to make your child’s dental visits enjoyable by providing appropriate dental care with consideration of your child’s comprehension and emotional level. Visit our office today or call us at (225)-398-8812 to schedule an appointment.

What are Dental Sealants?

Brushing and flossing your teeth each day is the best way to prevent cavities. By teaching your child to brush and floss, your child can build his or her oral hygiene habits that can be practiced into adulthood. However, there is another safeguard that we as dentists use to help fight against tooth decay: dental sealants.

Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. While they are not substitutes for daily brushing and flossing, dental sealants can help to prevent cavities from forming. 

• How Are Dental Sealants Work?

Dental sealants work as their name implies — they seal and help protect the teeth. Dentists place them over the grooved and pitted areas that exist in premolars and molars.

Sometimes, the grooves in these teeth are narrower than a single toothbrush bristle, making them quite challenging to clean, especially for children.

In addition, without regular, thorough brushing, plaque forms on the surface of the teeth, and over time, it creates a small hole known as a cavity. Once applied, dental sealants add an extra layer of protection over these hard-to-brush areas by creating a smooth surface to keep food out and your teeth cavity-free.  

The American Dental Association (ADA) states that dental sealants can also be placed over cavities in their early stages to help stop the tooth decay process. Since they are clear, your dentist can still view what is going on inside the tooth even after the dental sealants are applied. A sealed tooth is far less likely to develop a cavity, which can require more expensive dental treatment later, and most importantly, cause your child pain.

Dental sealants can help protect teeth from decay for up to 10 years. At Elements Dental Spa and Aesthetics, your dentist will monitor the condition of the placed sealants and suggest if they need to be reapplied.

• At What Age Should Children Get Them?

Both children and adults can benefit from dental sealants. We recommend that children between the ages of 6 to 14 years of age receive dental sealants. According to the ADA, your first molars break through around age 6, while your second molars appear around age 12.

Most dentists recommend sealing these teeth as soon as they come through to protect them from tooth decay. In some cases, your dentist may even suggest applying dental sealants over baby teeth, especially if the teeth have deep grooves or pitted areas. 

• Can Adults Get Dental Sealants?

Yes, adults can get dental sealants. Though children most commonly receive them, adults are at risk for cavities and those who do not have dental sealants or fillings can benefit from them. 

What Are Some Other Ways To Prevent Cavities?

Remember, dental sealants are not a replacement for an oral care routine. Here are some additional methods to help prevent cavities: 

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
• Floss between the teeth each day
• Eat healthier snacks, rather than sugary sweets
• Visit the dentist for regular cleanings and checkups

Dental Fluoride for Oral Care

Fluoride is a mineral that can be found naturally in water sources.  Although levels can be found naturally, fluoride is often added to water sources to help improve public oral health. 

In addition to water fluoridation, fluoride is also added to oral care products such as toothpaste and mouth rinses and can be administered as an in-office treatment in dental offices. Considering fluoride supplements can be one of the best and easiest decisions for preventing painful and expensive dental problems.

• How Does Flouride Help?

Fluoride has been proven to protect teeth from decay by rebuilding weakened tooth surfaces through a process called tooth remineralization in which applied fluoride is absorbed into teeth and restores lost minerals that make our teeth hard.

Not only can fluoride strengthen teeth to prevent future decay, but it can also help to arrest early decay, thus preventing the need to fill a tooth.

Children and adults can benefit from fluoride because as we age, our teeth weaken as well making them more susceptible to decay. Although remineralization occurs daily in our mouths naturally, as we age, the natural process becomes less efficient.

Other risk factors can not only reduce natural remineralization but can also make our mouths host to decay-causing bacteria at higher amounts.  

• What Kind Of Fluoride Is Available To Adults?

1. In-office Varnish

A fluoride varnish treatment is a professional strength application of fluoride provided by your dental professional usually right after a dental cleaning.  It is a fast and easy way to provide protection.

The varnish is a clear liquid that is applied to your teeth and exposed roots with a small brush.  The fluoride is absorbed and helps to increase remineralization. 

In-office treatments are typically in higher strength applications and thus need to be authorized & applied by your dental professional.

2. At-home Prescription Paste or Rinses

Usually, if patients regularly accept fluoride varnish, they do not need at-home treatments.  However, very high-risk patients may benefit from using prescription-strength fluoride supplements for at-home use that can be in the form of toothpaste or mouth rinse.

Is Fluoride Safe?

Yes!  According to the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA), fluoride has been researched and proven to be safe and effective when administered and used as instructed.

Does Fluoride Have Other Benefits?

Yes!  Not only does fluoride prevent decay, it can also reduce root hypersensitivity such as cold sensitivity and sensitivity during dental cleanings, which can be common with gum recession.

Does Dental Insurance Cover Fluoride Treatments?

While some dental insurance plans do cover adult fluoride treatments, some do not.  If it is not covered, you may want to still consider paying out of pocket for this simple treatment that could not only keep your teeth healthy but could also save your discomfort and costly dental work in the future.

What Else Can I Do to Protect My Teeth?

Good oral hygiene at home and regular dental cleanings & exams are what you can do to help keep your teeth strong.  Knowing your risk level for decay is important to discuss with your dentist in Baton Rouge, LA. If you find that you have some of the mentioned risks for adult decay, ask your dentist or hygienist if a fluoride treatment could help you and say ‘Yes’ to a fluoride treatment!

Contact us today if you’re interested in talking with our team about how fluoride treatments can help your or your family’s dental health. Call us now at (225)-398-8812 to request an appointment.