Over the past 20+ years, I have been asked many times what exactly I do as a pediatric dentist. I explain that it’s the full range of dental care, from education for first-time parents before the first baby tooth erupts, to clipping tongue ties on infants, to teeth cleanings in a playhouse or Jeep or dental chair, to fixing decay and even putting kids to sleep in order to fix extensive cavities.
It’s hard for some people to understand how much tooth decay there is right here in Warren County and our surrounding counties. Each and every workday, I find untreated abscesses and dental infections in kids that are younger than five years old. If a child has access to sugary sweets and drinks multiple times a day, along with a family history of “soft teeth” or permanent tooth loss in the parents, the risk of tooth decay is significantly higher. The later the child sees the dentist for the first time is also linked to more decay. If left untreated, this decay can progress to abscesses that can cause significant pain, as well as damage the underlying permanent teeth.
By scheduling a child’s first dental visit by age one year, we can identify potential problems before they cause damage to the teeth. If a child is assessed to be at a higher risk for decay, options include preventive dental sealants, a special cavities-stopping fluoride called “silver diamine fluoride” and more frequent dental cleanings. We can also work with parents to modify behaviors at home and increase tooth brushing, while also decreasing the frequency of snacking and sipping on sugary drinks.
There are many ways to help your child prevent tooth decay! Your child’s dentist is here to help answer any questions you have as well as to guide your child towards a lifetime of healthy smiles.
-by Dr. Mandy Ashley and Dr. Madison Galloway
About the Authors: Dr. Mandy Ashley and Dr. Madison Galloway are Board Certified Pediatric Dentists proud to serve the communities of Bowling Green, Hopkinsville and Glasgow! We share a vision of excellent comprehensive dental care that is fun for children and people with special healthcare needs.
SKY Pediatric Dentistry has been providing dental care to children and adults with special needs since 2013. As board-certified specialists in dentistry for children, our team strives to make going to the dentist as fun as possible while maintaining high-quality treatment and preventative measures. We tailor treatment plans to each child and offer a wide range of treatment options, including sedation, in-office general anesthesia and also hospital-based dentistry. With over 25 YEARS of doctor experience, SKY Pediatric Dentistry is a great choice for children’s dental care in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville and Glasgow!
