Cleanings and exams for pediatric patients are arguably more important. Once every 6 months? Your child was a whole different kiddo 6 months ago and will be 6 months from now. For you and I? It's the same rent and car payment. Our team will clean your child's teeth and gums, demonstrate areas that need improvement and reinforce recommended oral hygiene practices. Dr. Dan will carefully examine your child's mouth and x-rays to evaluate your child's oral health and development.

You’ll have the opportunity during this visit to speak with your child’s dentist about what to expect during the various stages of their oral development, like when their teeth will be erupting, falling out, then erupting again as adult teeth. We will discuss proper techniques for at-home oral care and hygiene for different age groups, and even talk about nutrition and diet, and how it’s related to your child’s developing oral health. If you really want to get into the nitty gritty, ask Dr. Dan about how your mouth's pH and cavities are related.

Cavities and toothaches are never fun, especially for your child. When it comes to treating decay in baby teeth, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to dental fillings. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require any drills or shots and can be completed in minutes. Painting on a layer of SDF to the affected tooth not only kills the bacteria that cause decay but also seals and remineralizes the tooth for added strength. If your little one has a cavity, fillings may not be the only option! SDF has its limitations and drawbacks, and is not applicable in all situations. Ask Dr. Dan today whether it is right for your child.

New technology digital x-rays are low radiation, fast, high-resolution images that capture your child's jaw and tooth health. Here at Campfire Smiles, we follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines for x-ray exposure and frequency. We practice the "as little as reasonably achievable" principle which means avoiding exposure to radiation that does not have a direct benefit to your child, even when the dose is small.

Dental sealants are protective coatings that are amazing when properly done. Reduce the incidence of cavities by 80% on sealed tooth grooves! Dental sealants are a liquid resin which is applied directly to the teeth without the need for numbing or drilling. The liquid is hardened under UV light. This creates a seal which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. It is usually the groovy molars that are sealed, but that does not mean you cannot seal any grooves present elsewhere.

Even children need oral cancer screenings! This is an essential part of preventive care that can be performed quickly, safely, and usually without your child noticing.

During the screening, the dentist will examine your child’s mouth, gums, and oral tissues. They’ll look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other similar abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy may be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or the dentist will refer you to a specialist directly.

Scheduling a dental visit every 6 months allows your child’s dentist to address any issues before they become larger problems.