Children’s Dentistry
We Care About Kids!
Building Positive Relationships
Dr. Kravitz works to make sure children feel at ease and enjoy themselves. You can be assured your child will receive the latest advances in children’s dentistry, delivered with thoughtfulness and compassion. We encourage good dental habits in children and enjoy teaching them how to succeed in the goal of a healthy smile. We look forward to meeting them for their first dental visit with us when they are three years old and watching them grow year after year.
One of our primary goals is making sure future generations of children grow up without fearing the dentist. According to the many happy parents we meet, we are doing just that! Our office is a relaxed atmosphere that children love to visit. Whether you have an active eight-year-old or a frightened three-year-old, we are here to help.
Proper Dental Habits for a Lifetime of Healthy Teeth
Developing good habits early, in an environment that’s relaxing and enjoyable, is necessary for a lifetime of good oral health. A child’s teeth can be very susceptible to cavities due to several factors. Children have difficulty brushing well on their own. It is important for parents to monitor their child’s daily dental care. This ensures proper cleaning and the development of solid dental habits. Younger kids tend to eat more often throughout the day, which is called grazing. This results in extended exposure to acid because every time you eat, you make acid. This can cause more cavities.
A tooth that isn’t completely cleaned will cause additional generation of and exposure to acid, further accelerating the development of cavities. Fortunately, identifying poor dietary and hygiene habits, along with an application of fluoride varnish to the mineralizing teeth, can substantially lower the likelihood of your child getting a cavity.
An Easy Way to Prevent Tooth Decay with Children
Even meticulous brushing may not reach all the deep grooves in the back teeth. This can lead to bacteria, acid, and plaque formation, which result in tooth decay. Once the tooth has decay, it is permanently damaged and will need to be repaired with a filling or crown.
There is a way to prevent all of this from happening in the first place – using dental sealants! Here’s how it all works: After the child’s teeth are cleaned and sterilized, a thin plastic layer is applied. This is usually tooth-colored or clear. Then a special light bonds the sealant in place. The entire process takes just a couple of minutes. There are no shots or drills required. No tooth structure is removed. It’s a totally harmless process and a great way for both children and adolescents to preserve their teeth.
Avoiding Tooth Damage While Playing Sports
You might not know that 5 million teeth are knocked out yearly in the United States. Many sports can be downright dangerous without protection using a mouthguard. The one-size-fits-all mouthguards found in department stores don’t have a good fit. Wearing these, proper breathing can be a struggle while running in sports. However, custom-made sports mouthguards fit perfectly, protect well, and are worn for any type of sport. The American Dental Association recommends wearing a custom mouthguard for all of these sports: Basketball, boxing, football, gymnastics, martial arts, racquetball, skateboarding, skiing, soccer, volleyball, weight lifting, wrestling.
