While a pediatric dentist is a specialist, all general dentists can treat kids and teens and do a pediatric rotation during dental school.
Pediatric Dentistry: Preventive Care
We recommend you schedule your child’s first dental appointment when they turn 1 or their first tooth comes in.
Regular Cleanings
Kids should get their teeth cleaned every 6 months. At these appointments, we will check for tooth decay, gum disease, and problems with tooth and mouth development.
Sealants
Dental sealants coat the teeth and protect them from decay. When your child’s first permanent molars and premolars erupt, it’s time to apply dental sealant. We’ll will paint liquid sealant onto the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth. These surfaces have small crevices where food debris and bacteria can hide. Sealants fill in the crevices and seal them against debris. Next, we’ll cure the liquid sealant with a pen-size light. That hardens the material so your child can eat and brush as usual. The sealant is clear or tooth-colored, so it won’t be visible when your child smiles.
Fluoride Treatments
Another important pediatric preventive care measure is fluoride. Your child should use fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash routinely. To strengthen your child’s teeth, we can apply a fluoride treatment directly to the tooth enamel. Sometimes, this treatment is applied as a liquid with a brush or as a rinse, similar to mouthwash. Otherwise, we will fill a dental tray with flavored fluoride foam or gel. He will place the tray over your child’s teeth to allow the fluoride to penetrate the enamel for a few minutes. Your child won’t be able to eat or drink for half an hour after the treatment. Then they can continue their day.
Pediatric Dental Emergencies
We can see your child the same day for dental emergencies such as:
- Knocked-out teeth
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Tooth infection
- Dental pain
A Kid-Friendly Experience
Our office is welcoming, fun, and kid-friendly. Each operatory has a television, and each visit ends with a trip to the prize box. Nitrous oxide sedation is available.
To make a pediatric dentist appointment, call our office at (337) 984-3046. You can also fill out our appointment request form here, and we will call you. At Louisiana Dental Group, we treat patients who are ages 1 to 20 and have Medicaid insurance.