Children’s Dentistry
Dundee, MI
At Ballpark Family Dental, we are dedicated to providing top-tier care for every member of your family. Dr. Ball and his team proudly offer comprehensive children's dental services, setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles. We look forward to caring for your little one's dental needs.
Kick Off Your Child's Oral Health with a Winning Start
Parents often wonder how soon to schedule their child's first dental appointment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends seeing a dentist within six months of the first tooth appearing and no later than the first birthday. From that point on, children with healthy smiles typically require twice-yearly visits to keep dental disease at bay.
The Importance of Caring for Baby Teeth
Baby teeth may be temporary but are critical for your child's health and development. They help with proper chewing, ensuring your child has all the nutrients needed to grow healthily. They also play a role in speech development and hold space for the permanent teeth, ensuring they come in the correct position. Caring for your child's smile right from the start can help lay the groundwork for healthy smiles into adulthood.
What Can You Expect in the First Dental Appointment?
Your little one's first appointment is quick and straightforward. Dr. Ball will discuss your child's health and dental history and ask if you have any concerns. Next, he will gently examine your little one's teeth, gums, and jaw and ensure their oral health development is on track.
After your child's exam, Dr. Ball will share his observations and may recommend restorative or preventive care, as needed, to keep dental disease at bay. He is also happy to make oral hygiene recommendations and discuss nutrition, pacifier use, thumb-sucking, and any other concerns. This first visit is a great opportunity to set up a game plan for excellent dental habits and long-term healthy and beautiful smiles.
Children's Dental Services Offered by Ballpark Family Dental
Here is a look at some of the services we offer for growing smiles right here at our Dundee practice:
- Dental Exams and Cleanings: Your child's twice-yearly visits include thorough exams to check for cavities, gum inflammation, and alignment concerns and ensure your child's oral development is on track. Our kid-friendly cleanings, on the other hand, involve removing plaque and tartar buildup to keep those pearly whites healthy and bright.
- Fluoride Treatments: After your child's cleanings, we may recommend fluoride treatments to lower the risk of cavities. Fluoride has also been shown to reverse early tooth decay by remineralizing the tooth enamel.
- Dental Sealants: Your child's molars and premolars have grooves and crevices on their chewing surfaces that trap bacteria and food debris, increasing the risk of cavities. Dental Sealants are thin coatings we place on your child's permanent back teeth as they emerge, protecting them and helping keep them free from decay.
- Space Maintainers: If a baby tooth falls out before its adult replacement is ready to come in, the surrounding teeth may shift and tilt, impacting the alignment of your child's teeth and bite. Space maintainers hold open the space the adults need to come in, maintaining healthy alignment and reducing or even eliminating the need for orthodontic treatments down the road.
- Stainless Steel Crowns: Stainless steel crowns encase weak, damaged, or otherwise compromised baby teeth, preserving them until it's time for them to fall out naturally. They are quick and easy to place without the need for molds or impressions.
- Pulpotomies: Deep decay can affect a primary tooth's inner pulp and nerve, leading to pain or even tooth loss. A pulpotomy, sometimes called a nerve treatment or baby root canal, involves removing the damaged pulp tissues, cleaning and sterilizing the area, placing a medicated filling to promote healing, and placing a stainless steel crown for protection.
- Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF): SDF is a minimally invasive treatment that stops cavities in their tracks without needing anesthetic shots or the drill. It can be ideal for children who are too young or those not ready for traditional fillings, safeguarding their smiles until their baby teeth fall out naturally or traditional restoration can take place.
Children's Dental Care Near Me in Dundee, MI
At Ballpark Family Dental, we're committed to providing comprehensive care for our young patients in a warm and comfortable environment. We strive to ensure our young patients develop positive associations with the dentist. We're here to support your little one's growing smile every step of the way.
We invite you to call 734-823-5990 or use this link to schedule your appointment today!
Ready For Your Appointment?
Let's Get Started!
Are you ready to experience a new level of care tailored to your needs? At Ballpark Family Dental, we are dedicated to helping you achieve beautiful, healthy, and functional smiles that last a lifetime. Contact us to get started today!