Dentistry For Children

At our pediatric dental office, Dr. Meade Moore offers a variety of preventative and restorative care for children and teenagers. Located in Germantown, Tenn., parents can schedule appointments with us for these dental services.

Dentistry For Children – Routine Examinations for Young Patients

We believe that it is better to begin routine examinations at an early age to find potential dental health issues. In addition, visiting a dentist at a younger age will help a child to feel more relaxed as our dentist examines teeth, gums and other areas of the mouth. A routine examination may include cleaning the teeth professionally to remove a buildup of plaque or filling cavities to save the teeth from having additional decay. We can also collect X-rays to determine if there are any underlying oral health issues that require treatment immediately or that will require special treatment in the future.

Filling Cavities

When a child has a cavity in a tooth, it requires a filling right away to avoid additional problems such as an infection in the gums. While the primary teeth only remain in a child’s mouth for a few years, it is a good idea to protect teeth so that a child has a beautiful smile. Filling a cavity also requires cleaning the tooth to eliminate the bacteria that can infect other teeth. Today, we use a color-matching composite resin to fill a cavity, making the restoration unnoticeable by others. Fillings are one of the major procedures in dentistry for children.

Teaching Oral Health Care

The children who visit our dental facility are taught how to brush and floss the teeth correctly to have fresh breath and no tooth decay. Our dental hygienist can show a child how to floss and brush, but we also have videos that children can watch to learn more about proper dental care. We make sure that children also receive a new toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste during each visit.

Orthodontic Evaluations

It is also important to think about orthodontic treatments for young children rather than waiting until a child is a teenager. Early treatment with palate expanders or a Herbst appliance can prevent major dental health issues in the future. If a child has crooked teeth, then by wearing braces at an early age, it is possible to avoid having additional dental malocclusions.

Protective Sealants

When parents are concerned about a child’s frequent tooth decay, it is a good idea to have protective sealants applied to the teeth. The liquid sealants are applied to the fissures and pits of the teeth that are toward the back of the mouth. After the sealant dries, it keeps food from sticking to the treated teeth, helping to prevent decay that leads to cavities. In many cases, sealants will remain on a patient’s teeth for 10 years or longer.

Customized Mouth Guards

When a child plays sports, it is essential to wear a customized mouth guard. We can collect molds of the upper and lower teeth to create the mouth guards, and we suggest ordering new mouth guards frequently because children grow quickly. Parents should make sure that a child wears the mouth guards while playing sports or riding a bicycle to prevent serious damage to a child’s teeth and gums.

Dental Emergencies

Despite using a mouth guard and performing daily oral health care, it is possible to have a dental emergency. When a dental problem occurs, please give our office a call immediately for assistance and we will strive to get your child in on the day of the emergency to ensure quick and comfortable care.