Why crafting beautiful smiles starts with positive experiences early in childhood
At Brighton Park Dental, we craft beautiful smiles and have also carefully curated the dental experience, knowing that a comfortable visit at our office in southwest Chicago, Illinois, is particularly vital for young kids. When kids have positive experiences early on, they carry this trusted and healthy relationship to dentistry well into adulthood. Also, our dental office welcomes children of all ages! Other offices may focus on teens and adults. And, at pediatric practices, patients generally “age out.” Drs Aroon Pal, Nilay Patel, and Taylor Jemilo understand the unique needs of younger children, adolescents, and teens. And they will never “graduate” out of our practice. In fact, former pediatric patients trust us and send their children to us when they start their own families.
Is it ever “too early” for a child to visit the dentist?
The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that children begin to see the dentist no later than their first birthday – even if they do not have any teeth. In fact, dentists can assess why the teeth may be erupting late, and detect and resolve other anomalies in how the teeth and jaws are developing. In addition to monitoring for problems before they have the chance to cause damage, our dentists and staff want to get you and your child comfortable with these visits. We provide parents and caregivers with the tools they need to clean baby teeth and gums among young children who do not have the motor skills to do so on their own. Our recommendations evolve over time and as appropriate for your child’s age.
How do you find potential problems?
Our exams are similar to what you may have come to expect from routine dental visits as an adult. We generally start by evaluating for potential problems by sight and by touch (to assess for things like jaw function, bite problems, gum disease, and to rule out serious causes of suspicious lumps and bumps). As needed, X-rays and other diagnostic tools may be used to overcome the limitations of the visual inspection, as we can only see so much with the unaided eye. Our digital X-rays and other technologies are very safe, too. They are associated with significantly less radiation exposure than traditional film-based radiography.
What if you find something is wrong with my child’s mouth?
As a general dentistry practice, we “specialize” in comprehensive services. Depending on your child’s needs, we may prescribe special rinses or recommend incorporating certain oral care products into their day-to-day routine. We can also show your child how to brush and floss at home more effectively. We practice conservative dentistry for children whose needs may be more extensive. We preserve the utmost healthy tooth structure. For instance, smaller cavities may be treated with fillings made from materials designed to blend in with the natural tooth. Such procedures that catch and treat problems early in the disease process avoid the need for more invasive procedures, such as inlays, onlays, crowns, and even root canal therapy.
What if my child has a hard time cleaning their back teeth?
No problem! We can incorporate dental sealants into their regular “checkup.” These protective coverings can be applied to those hard-to-reach back teeth in just minutes. They protect the health and strength of the molars by keeping the “bad stuff” out (trapped food, bacteria, plaque). Fluoride therapy may also supplement toothpastes and other sources of this beneficial, cavity-fighting mineral. The use of supplemental fluoride is also appropriate for children with early-stage enamel erosion. We can reverse this damage and protect against cavities.
Brighton Park Dental looks forward to meeting you and your child! Serving southwest Chicago, IL, and the surrounding suburbs, our team can be reached at (773) 801-5171 to schedule an appointment and to answer any questions.
