Integrated Dental provides general dental care for patients of all ages. Our family-friendly dental office provides patients with routine and preventative dental care. 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 to keep their smiles happy and healthy.
Visiting your dentist, 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 get the care they need.
The Importance of Pediatric Dental Care in a Family Dental Practice
Pediatric dental care is necessary to help children set the foundation for a lifetime of excellent oral health. Early and consistent dental visits will establish good oral health habits for your child. Routine visits also contribute to the overall well-being of your child.
Integrated Dental offers a comfortable office environment that fosters a positive experience for children. Additionally, our dental team has the expertise to treat children. We understand the developmental stages of a child’s oral health and 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 can educate your 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, you are helping them become familiar with the dentist environment. This creates a vital trusting relationship between us and your child, an invaluable resource to treat children effectively. Consistent dental care helps alleviate fear your child may have with dental visits. In return, they will leave with a positive attitude towards oral health.
What to Expect at a Pediatric Dental Appointment
Our friendly highly-trained staff can treat children as young as 3 years of age. You can also schedule their first visit during one of your 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.
Dr. Benson will perform a gentle oral exam to check your child’s teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health. This may involve the using 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 takes X-rays for each patient on a yearly basis.
Our dental hygienist will clean and polish your child’s teeth using a special electric toothbrush and 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 prevent tooth decay and cavities. It also strengthens tooth enamel, and helps enamel resist 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. The dentist places them on the permanent molars as they erupt in a child’s mouth. They are particularly helpful on back teeth because those teeth have deep grooves and fissures. These can be hard to clean thoroughly even with regular brushing.
Sealants consist of a thin resin that Dr. Benson will apply to the teeth. The sealant compound 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 only needs one 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 dental office provides restorative and cosmetic treatments that we will customize to the needs of our patients.
Common restorations include dental crowns, dental 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 dental prosthetic.
Our cosmetic dental treatments can brighten or straighten teeth. Unlike store-bought gels, strips, and toothpaste, our professional whitening treatment can provide effective and 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
Get dental care for your whole family at Integrated Dental of Florida. Integrated Dental provides family dentistry in Sarasota, FL, for busy families. Experience the convenience of a family dental practice by contacting us at 941-270-9755. You can also request an appointment online anytime.