Family Dentistry San Antonio, TX

As a parent, one of the most important things is the health of your child. In addition to their physical health and well-being, their dental health is also essential. A good oral hygiene routine is necessary to help your child keep their mouth clean and healthy. This routine should also include professional dental care.

Advanced Dental Associates can help you and your child ensure that their mouth remains healthy and develops properly with family dentistry services in San Antonio, TX. We also provide general dentistry services to new and existing patients in and around San Antonio.  

Family Dentist in San Antonio, TX

The Importance of Early Childhood Dental Visits

Many parents are unaware that their child should be seen by a dentist by their first birthday and should be seen every six months. These early visits are essential. They can help prevent the development of cavities in your child’s teeth and help you properly care for your child’s mouth.

With these visits, we can help ensure that your child’s baby and adult teeth develop properly and remain cavity-free, helping to prevent serious oral health problems and the need for invasive dental work.

Family Dentistry in San Antonio, TX

We offer preventative services for children. This includes routine cleanings and exams, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. Preventive care is meant to help keep young teeth healthy and free from cavities. Restorative services allow us to help restore your child’s oral health if an issue does arise.

Restorative treatments may include fillings, crowns, or pulpotomies. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, we can also provide a space maintainer, which will help to ensure that the space is saved for the developing adult tooth underneath.

Many children also require orthodontic treatment. While this is commonly in the form of braces, other orthodontic treatments may be provided, including early orthodontics.

With early treatments like palatal expanders, we can help to ensure that your child’s mouth grows and develops appropriately, reducing the need for later orthodontic care.

How can I help my child maintain a healthy mouth at home?

Good oral care for your child starts at home and begins early. Even before any teeth appear, it is recommended that you use a damp washcloth to clean your baby’s gums after each feeding.

When the first teeth appear, you should switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush. Make sure that you are using a small toothbrush designed for children.

You can teach your child how to brush their teeth as they grow. Additionally, you can go over their teeth to clean areas they may have missed after they finish.

Around the age of 5 or 6, your child may be able to begin brushing independently, but you should still monitor them to ensure that they continue to brush correctly.

If your child is resistant to brushing, you can help to encourage them by brushing with them, reading books, or playing music.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

One of the biggest questions parents have is why their baby’s teeth need proper care if they are going to fall out anyway. The baby teeth are essential and need good care to function properly. These teeth not only help your child to eat but also to develop proper speech. They also act as space holders for adult teeth.

If an issue like an infection develops in the baby tooth, it can affect the developing adult tooth underneath. Proper oral care isn’t just about protecting the baby teeth. It is also about protecting the health of your child’s whole mouth.

Age-Specific Dentistry

Family dentistry isn’t just for young children and their parents. We welcome patients of all ages to receive care at our office. The dental concerns most prevalent in toddlers and children aren’t the same ones most common in adults and seniors. We target your dental care to ensure that we’re protecting you against the most likely issues you’ll have with your smile.

Adolescence Through Young Adulthood

As children get older and get their permanent teeth, it’s a crucial time for orthodontics. This is when they’re developing their permanent smile. Orthodontic treatment can occur at any age, but it’s easiest when the mouth is still developing. Our office offers clear braces for mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. If there are more serious issues, we’ll refer your child to a trusted orthodontist to ensure your mouth develops properly.

The wisdom teeth become a factor in the late teens and early twenties. We monitor their growth and development to try and prevent any problems. Most of our mouths don’t have the space needed for this extra set of molars. As they grow, they can erupt and make your smile cramped and crooked. If they stay impacted under the surface, they can cause pain and infection. Almost always, we recommend wisdom tooth removal.

Adults and Seniors

Our mouths continue to change as we age. We use our teeth every day, contributing to natural wear and tear. Teeth discolor as they age, and more so if you frequently eat and drink things that can stain your teeth. Cosmetic improvements like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers can take years off your smile, restoring your teeth to even and white.

Missing teeth is the main problem that seniors face. Medications and health conditions cause dry mouth and other problems, making you more likely to succumb to decay, gum disease, and tooth loss. When you lose a tooth, there are immediate impacts on your oral health and jawbone. We offer solutions to replace any number of missing teeth.

Get Dental Care for The Whole Family

Schedule an appointment if you have questions about your child’s dental health. You can also call Advanced Dental Associates at (210) 655-2753 today.