Children’s Dentistry Ridgefield
Expert, Friendly, and Comfortable Care for Kids
With our children’s dentistry options, our friendly professionals at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center can ensure the health and beauty of your children’s smiles. Children's dentistry is all about creating healthy, happy smiles for a lifetime. Dr. Dana C. Jones, Dr. Josephine A. Franzese, and Dr. Joseph S. Roberti are experienced in providing friendly and gentle care for your children. They understand the importance of positive oral healthcare experiences early on, which is why they are committed to providing the highest-quality care for your kids. Read on or call us to learn more about some of the services your children’s dentist in Ridgefield has to offer.
Why Choose Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center for Children’s Dentistry?
- Dentists Who Treat Children of All Ages
- Safe Dental Technologies Used In-House
- Dental Team That Prioritizes Your Child’s Comfort & Safety
Kids Dental Checkups & Cleanings
We provide routine dental checkups and cleanings for children to prevent and detect oral health issues while they are still small. Children tend to be susceptible to problems like cavities and decay, which we can catch before they turn into more extensive and expensive procedures down the road.
These appointments also help educate and familiarize your children with our friendly and experienced team. The more positive dental experiences that your little ones have early on in their lives, the more likely they will be to continue practicing positive oral healthcare as they grow older.
Lastly, these biannual appointments are important because they provide your children with a thorough cleaning. Kids simply can’t take care of their teeth and gums as well as adults, which is why our dental hygienists provide thorough cleanings to remove plaque and tartar that couldn’t be reached at home. This is also a great opportunity for you to ask about any tips or tricks for better at-home oral healthcare for your kids. Our dental hygienists are knowledgeable and ready to help.
Kids Athletic Mouthguards by Under Armour
Children who play sports need appropriate mouth protection. Just like helmets, knee pads, and shin guards are essential, so is a device to safeguard their teeth and gums. Fortunately, at our dental office, we can provide a custom-made athletic mouthguard by Under Armour. Using the best materials, this appliance will fit comfortably inside your child’s mouth, allowing them to breathe freely and worry less while engaging in their favorite sport.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a safe and effective way that we can help your kids prevent cavities from occurring in the first place. They are applied to the surfaces of back molars—where cavities usually form. These molars are the main chewing surfaces that your kids use, which is why they are susceptible to decay. Your family dentist in Ridgefield paints a thin plastic resin onto the tooth surfaces, protecting the molars’ pits and fissures against bacteria and food particles. Dental sealants bond to the enamel and will last for years.
Pulp Treatment
Pulp treatment is recommended when an infection reaches the inner layer of your child’s tooth – the pulp. Consisting of nerves, blood vessels, and other tissues, treating diseased pulp is essential if a more serious infection is to be avoided. Our team will go in to remove all or a portion of the pulp (depending on the severity) to effectively eliminate the pain and keep the natural tooth intact.
Children’s Dentistry FAQs
Are My Child’s Baby Teeth Important to Their Overall Health?
Yes. Even though baby teeth are temporary, it’s important to take good care of them while they are around. When a baby tooth falls out too early, the remaining teeth can shift out of place, making it difficult for adult teeth to eventually erupt. That is a big reason why it’s critical for your child to brush their teeth twice a day to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. Biannual trips to a children’s dentist in Ridgefield are also key to maintaining healthy young smiles.
Should I Worry About Thumb-Sucking?
Many infants and toddlers suck their thumbs as a way of comforting themselves or to help them fall asleep. While completely normal, thumb-sucking can eventually lead to serious oral health problems, such as bite misalignment, palate issues, or even trouble speaking. If your child does not grow out of the habit by the time they are four years old, you should talk to Dr. Jones about gentle ways to intervene. He will be happy to share tips on how to use positive reinforcement to encourage your child to stop sucking their thumb.
Does My Child Need Dental X-Rays?
Dental X-rays are a powerful tool that allows a dentist in Ridgefield to spot small or emerging oral health issues that are invisible to the naked eye. For this reason, X-rays are an important part of your child’s dental checkup. If you are worried about how the radiation from dental X-rays could affect your child, you will be pleased to know that we utilize digital X-ray technology at Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center. Not only do digital dental X-rays produce high-quality images in just seconds, but they also use up to 80% less radiation.
My Child Has a Toothache. What Should I Do?
Toothaches in children are often caused by tooth decay or foreign objects that become stuck in between their teeth. If your child is complaining of tooth pain but you do not see anything stuck between their teeth, do not wait to contact our office. It is possible that a cavity has formed and reached the inner pulp of the tooth, which can cause a lot of pain. After learning more about your child’s toothache, we will schedule an appointment as soon as possible for further examination and treatment. In the meantime, you can help manage your child’s discomfort by offering them child-friendly, over-the-counter pain medication.
Why Is It Important for My Child to See the Dentist at an Early Age?
Here is one big reason: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cavities are the most common chronic disease of children aged 6 to 11 years. Regular dental exams and professional cleanings can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems from occurring. In addition, the health of your child’s smile now can influence their long-term oral health and the functionality of their adult teeth. For these reasons and more, we can help refer your child to a pediatric dentist in Ridgefield before your son or daughter’s first birthday.