Preventive Dentistry in Costa Mesa, CA

Just like cleanings and exams for adults, pediatric cleanings and exams are fairly straightforward. Your child’s pediatric dentist in Costa Mesa will clean their teeth and gums, then their dentist will carefully examine their mouth and any x-rays to look for potential issues with your child’s oral health or 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.

Fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to keep dental decay at bay. A simple, non-invasive procedure, fluoride treatments help to keep your child's enamel strong. After your little one's cleaning, we’ll apply a fluoride-rich varnish or gel; we may ask you refrain from allowing your child to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes or so following their visit. Fluoride helps kickstart a process called “remineralization,” which restores essential minerals like calcium and phosphates to the teeth, keeping your kiddo's enamel hard and resistant to acids, like those that cause tooth decay.

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) arrests tooth decay in baby teeth. It uses a blend of silver, ammonia, water, and fluoride that kills bacteria and prevents further decay, keeping your child’s tooth healthy until it falls out naturally. It is possible that your child's tooth may still need a filling or crown in the future, and it’s primarily used in baby teeth because it will permanently stain the treated area black.

Digital x-rays are fast, high-resolution images that capture your child’s jaw and tooth health. X-rays will only be recommended if your child’s dentist thinks they are necessary.

Dental sealants use a transparent liquid resin, which is applied directly to the teeth and is hardened using a UV light. This creates an impenetrable seal on your child’s tooth, which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. This treatment is usually recommended specifically for cavity-prone posterior (back) teeth.

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.

As your child grows, their baby teeth are destined to fall out to make room for their adult counterparts. But when they fall out too early, it can heighten the risk for orthodontic complications later on. We want your child to thrive, which is why we offer space maintainers. A space maintainer is a dental appliance that maintains the gap where a missing tooth used to be in order to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space. This helps to ensure your child's adult tooth erupts properly.