Integrated Dental provides general dental care for patients of all ages. Our family-friendly dental office helps patients receive routine and preventative dental care to keep their smiles happy and healthy. Early oral health care is important to encourage patients to choose healthy habits that benefit their teeth and gums. We treat patients starting as early as two years of age.
Visiting the dentist regularly, establishing a good oral hygiene routine, and paying attention to developing dental problems can prevent future oral health issues. Dr. Melvin Benson provides family dentistry in Sarasota, FL, so everyone can achieve the care they need.
The Importance of Pediatric Dental Care in a Family Dental Practice
Pediatric dental care within a family dental office is necessary to help children set the foundation for a lifetime of oral health. Early and consistent dentist appointments will establish good oral health, contributing to the overall well-being of your child.
Integrated Dental offers a comfortable office environment that helps foster a positive experience for children. Additionally, our dental team is equipped with the expertise to treat children. We understand the developmental stages of a child’s oral health allowing us to provide age-appropriate care for your child.
Regular check-ups for your child enable us to detect early dental issues and prevent them from developing. This includes cavities, orthodontic, and oral development concerns. We also focus on the educational components of pediatric dental care. We educate your and child on the importance of proper brushing, flossing, and a balanced diet. This will help instill lifelong habits that combat common dental problems.
When you bring your child to Integrated Dental consistently, this will help them become familiar with our office and our processes. This creates a vital trusting relationship between us and your child, an invaluable resource to treat children effectively. Consistent dental care will help to alleviate any or fear your child may have associated with dental visits, promoting a positive attitude towards oral health.
What to Expect at a Pediatric Dental Appointment
We prefer to see children by age 3. Their first visit can also be scheduled during one of the parent’s dental appointments. At your child’s first visit, we will introduce ourselves and discuss what the parent can expect at routine dental visits. Dr. Benson will discuss your child’s oral health history including any concerns you have and your child’s oral hygiene routine.
Dr. Benson will perform a gentle oral examination to check your child’s teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. This may involve the use of a small mirror and a tool to count the child’s teeth. Depending on your child’s age and dental history, we may recommend X-rays to assess the development of permanent teeth and detect any potential issues. Dr. Benson likes to take X-rays at least once a year.
Our dental hygienist will clean and polish your child’s teeth using a special electric toothbrush and a flavored toothpaste. This helps remove plaque and familiarizes the child with the sensations of a dental cleaning. As children grow, we may require extra treatments like dental sealants or fluoride to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
Before age 3, how do I care for my baby’s oral health?
Even before baby teeth emerge, parents should wipe their child’s gums with a clean cloth to remove food debris. Once the primary teeth appear, parents should use an infant-sized toothbrush to brush their child’s teeth.
Fluoride Treatments and Dental Sealants
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and helps to prevent tooth decay and cavities. It helps strengthen tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria and sugars in the mouth.
We offer fluoride treatments at every routine pediatric dental checkup. This simple procedure involves placing a concentrated fluoride solution on your child’s teeth. Fluoride treatments are simple, fast, and highly effective at helping your child avoid cavities.
Sealants are a way to prevent decay on the biting surfaces of teeth. They are typically placed on the permanent molars as they erupt in a child’s mouth and are maintained throughout childhood, lasting into adulthood. They are particularly helpful on back teeth because they have deep grooves and fissures. These can be hard to clean thoroughly even with regular brushing.
Sealants are made of a thin resin that Dr. Benson will apply to the teeth. The sealant material will flow into the grooves and fissures of the teeth. This coating will protect your child’s teeth from harmful acids and plaque buildup. The application is quick and requires a short appointment.
Restorative and Cosmetic Dental Care
Over time, patients can develop dental problems or encounter sudden oral health issues they have not experienced before. Our office provides restorative and cosmetic treatments that we will customize to the needs of our patients.
Common restorations include crowns, bridges, dentures, and dental implants. Patients who have extensive tooth damage benefit from crowns. Single implants, bridges, and dentures can replace permanent missing teeth. Typically, we recommend implant-secured restorations because the implant posts offer a permanent foundation for a tooth crown, dental bridge, or denture.
Our cosmetic dental treatments can brighten or straighten teeth. Unlike store-bought gels, strips, and toothpaste, our professional whitening treatment can provide effective, lasting results. If patients have deep tooth stains, we recommend veneers or bonding treatment. These treatments may also address tooth damage, wear, and slightly crooked teeth.
Schedule Your Family’s Dentist Appointments Today
Do you need dental care for your whole family? Integrated Dental provides family dentistry in Sarasota, FL for busy families who need the convenience of a family dental practice. Contact Integrated Dental of Florida at 941-270-9755 to schedule your dentist appointments or request an appointment online.