Children’s Dentistry – Lancaster, TX
Creating Healthy Smiles for Young Children
Your child’s teeth are important for more than just a beautiful smile. They are also vital for their ability to learn how to chew and speak correctly. Although their baby teeth eventually fall out, they require care to ensure they serve their purpose while they are in place. In addition to brushing and flossing, it is best for them to see their children’s dentist in Lancaster at least twice a year; however, not just any dental team will do. You need a dentist who provides the compassionate care young children need to feel at ease during their appointment. Dr. Mahima Gupta is that dentist.
Why Choose Lancaster Family Smiles for Children’s Dentistry?
- Family-Friendly Environment
- Convenient Evening Hours
- Multiple Sedation Options for Anxious Patients
Comfortable Care for Children
Children have unique comfort requirements when it comes to visiting the dentist. They need a friendly dental team who helps them relax while building a trusted relationship with them. Dr. Gupta and her team provide complete dental care for young patients to create healthy, beautiful smiles. She completed a mini pediatric residency at the University of Minnesota to better understand the needs of young children to deliver individualized services.
Although it is recommended your child sees their dentist for the first time before their 1st birthday, Dr. Gupta is certified for First Dental Home, which means she can treat children as young as 6 months old. As they grow, she will be by their side through all stages of oral development to create a healthy, functional smile that can last.
Your First Dental Visit
We understand children can be a bit apprehensive when visiting a new dentist which is why we take the time to talk to them first. They meet our dental team, so they become comfortable and familiar with the faces they see. If your child is still uncomfortable, we can help them relax with nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas. In some cases, we may recommend a liquid sedative to ensure a comfortable and pain-free visit.
Dr. Gupta strives to provide all the services your child needs throughout adolescence. She offers the routine appointments they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy, including checkups, cleanings, and x-rays. We also offer other services, like fluoride treatments and dental sealants, to help protect your child’s smile from damage, like tooth decay.
If a complication does develop, we can handle their treatments in-office to prevent them from being referred to an unfamiliar face. We rebuild damaged teeth with fillings, root canals, and dental crowns, while also improving the function and appearance of their teeth with space maintainers and pedo-partials.
Our office embraces the latest technological advancements to further help promote your child’s comfort, including digital x-rays.
Give Your Child a Healthy Smile
With the right oral hygiene at home and the care of a great kid’s dentist in Lancaster, you can give your child the foundation they need for a lifelong healthy smile. If you need a dentist who will treat your child as their own, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards
As a parent, you want your child to pursue the sports they love, but you can’t help but worry about what could happen if they get into an accident on the field. Athletes of all ages need to be wary of tooth loss, so make sure your children keep their smiles well-guarded with athletic mouthguards. You can find these oral appliances at a store, but your child will enjoy a much more comfortable fit if they receive a custom-made mouthguard from their dentist instead.
Dental Sealants
Children need time to develop their brushing skills, so there are some spots in their mouth that might prove more challenging than others to keep clean. To keep them safe while they’re perfecting their oral hygiene routine, we can apply a thin layer of protective material to their molars and premolars – the teeth near the back of the mouth with numerous nooks and crannies that leave them especially vulnerable to the bacteria that can cause cavities.
Silver Diamine Fluoride
The sound of a dental drill can be frightening or distressing to many children. Thus, to limit the amount of drilling necessary when your child has a cavity, we can offer silver diamine fluoride to younger patients showing early signs of decay. Silver diamine fluoride doesn’t just strengthen the enamel; it also helps kill the bacteria that form cavities in the first place. It’s a comfortable, painless way for us to treat your child’s oral health problems quickly.
Frenectomies/ Lip & Tongue-Ties
Does your baby have trouble breastfeeding? Does your child find it difficult to pronounce certain words clearly? They could be having trouble with the frenulum that connects their lips and tongue to the inside of their mouth. An overly developed frenulum restricts movement and makes it difficult to perform certain oral tasks. If you suspect your child is struggling with a lip tie or tongue tie, schedule an appointment with us; if necessary, we can remove the frenulum so that your little one can move their mouth freely again.
Pulp Therapy
At the center of every tooth is a collection of nerves, tissue, and blood vessels called pulp. If pulp becomes exposed due to a dental injury or is infected as a result of decay, your child’s tooth can be jeopardy. No matter if it’s a baby tooth or a permanent tooth, it’s important to do everything we can to make sure your child’s smile stays intact and continues to develop properly. To that end, we can partially or completely remove damaged pulp, stopping the pain and preventing the spread of any infections that are present.