Preventative Dentistry
We recommend routine dental cleanings for several reasons. When we perform a professional cleaning, we remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. We also clean the parts of your child’s teeth that are hard to reach, such as underneath the gums.
Fillings
Fillings are done when we have diagnosed decay on a tooth/teeth. Any decay is cleared away and then the space is filled by a white resin filling. During a filling appointment, patients will be breathing in Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) while watching a movie to help them stay relaxed. The area around the affected tooth will be numbed to increase the comfort of the patient.
Following the appointment, the patient will be numb for a few hours so we advise to refrain from eating anything in order to avoid accidentally biting a numb lip. A smoothie or milkshake is best if they need something to eat before the numbness wears off.
Sealants
Our back molars have deep grooves that are too narrow for a tooth brush bristle to reach into. To prevent bacteria from staying in these deep grooves, we place Sealants. Sealants are protective coatings that are placed on the chewing surface of the molars to “seal” up the grooves and prevent bacteria from moving into those grooves and causing decay. Sealants can be placed in approximately 15 minutes at the end of a patient’s routine cleaning visit.
Oral Hygiene Instruction
It is part of our goal to not only clean our patient’s teeth every 6 months, but to educate them on proper oral hygiene as to promote healthy teeth and gums. Our motto is “B.F.R.”, which stands for brush, floss, and rinse. We suggest our patients brush their teeth at least twice daily, floss nightly, and rinse with a fluoride mouth wash nightly.
Healthy Snacking Counseling
Healthy eating and snacking habits play a huge role in dental health. Children, who have habits of snacking on high carbohydrate foods (like goldfish crackers,) have a higher rate of decay than those children who snack on nuts, fruits, meats, cheeses, and vegetables. This is because when carbohydrates are broken down, they turn into sugar and bacteria in your mouth thrive on the sugar. This, in turn, can lead to cavities.
Prophylaxis and Exam
As suggested by the American Dental Association, we recommend routine cleanings and exams every 6 months. At each 6 month check-up, a thorough cleaning and exam will be performed. The cleaning will remove any build-up of calculus or tartar and the exam allows Dr. Bayless to make sure a patient’s overall oral hygiene is adequate and free of any decay/cavities.
Crowns
When a tooth has a significant amount of decay and there is not enough healthy tooth left to support a filling, we will place a stainless steel crown on the tooth after cleaning out the affected areas. We use Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) and allow the patient to watch a movie during the appointment to help them stay relaxed. The area around the affected tooth will be numbed to increase the comfort of the patient.
Extractions
If necessary, we will extract primary (baby) teeth in office. We use Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) and allow the patient to watch a movie during the appointment to help them stay relaxed. The area around the affected tooth will be numbed to increase the comfort of the patient.
Following the appointment, the patient will be numb for a few hours so we advise to refrain from eating anything in order to avoid accidentally biting a numb lip. Once the numbness wears off, the patient may be slightly sore. We suggest children’s Motrin as needed and a soft diet for the rest of the day.
X-rays
X-rays are radiographic images used to view an area of the mouth that is not accessible to the naked eye. In our office we take Bitewing x-rays, Periapical x-rays, and Panoramic x-rays. Bitewing x-rays are used to see in between the teeth to help us locate any decay. Periapical x-rays are used to look specifically at an area of concern. Panoramic x-rays are used to view all of the teeth in one image and allow us to see if there are any missing or extra teeth, determine when a patient may need orthodontic intervention, and if a patient has Wisdom Teeth.
General Anesthesia Sedation
When further cooperation is required by a patient for dental treatment, we offer General Anesthesia sedation with Anesthesia in office with an Ambulatory Anesthesiologist.