Pediatric Dentistry
Brushing and flossing are an essential part of everyone’s oral hygiene routine; this includes your child. However, these habits are only a part of the equation. Professional dental care is imperative for providing you and your child with optimal oral health. However, your child’s needs are different from your own. Their mouths are constantly growing and developing, and they need care that is tailored to their unique needs. At Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry, we can provide the specialized oral care your child needs to ensure your child’s mouth stays healthy and beautiful. Regular Dental VisitsRoutine dental visits, which include cleanings and exams, are a key factor in helping your child to prevent cavities and other oral health issues. We recommend that your child be seen at least twice a year (every six months) for these visits. With a professional cleaning, we use specialized tools to scrape plaque, tartar (hardened plaque that cannot be removed by brushing) and bacteria from your child’s teeth, including between them. We then use a dental polish to give their teeth a beautiful, clean finish. We floss between their teeth to remove any buildup that may have accumulated. If necessary, we can also provide a fluoride treatment. Dental exams allow us to check the condition of your child’s teeth and gums. What we are doing is looking for signs of tooth decay and cavities, fractures, and gum disease. We examine all of the soft tissues of your child’s mouth. A discussion at the end of the exam allows us to provide your child with tips on how to improve their at-home oral care. Preventing and Treating CavitiesChildren are much more prone to cavities than adults. They are a major issue and only get worse the longer they go untreated. We can help them take measures to prevent cavities from occurring. Fluoride treatments at the end of dental cleanings are done to protect the enamel of your child’s teeth from bacterial acid attacks. We can also provide sealants, which are applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars. Sealants cover the natural grooves that occur on these surfaces, making your child’s teeth easier to care for. If your child does suffer a cavity, prompt treatment can prevent serious consequences. Cavities are treated with fillings. A filling is a relatively quick and simple procedure that fills the pit left behind by tooth decay, and seals it, preventing new bacteria from taking shelter and causing further harm. Digital X-RaysX-rays are an important part of your child’s oral health care plan. These images allow us to check their teeth for cavities, look for infections, assess the development of their teeth and jaw and so much more. They can also be used to develop effective treatment plans. Digital X-rays are the latest in X-ray technology, and significantly reduce your child’s exposure to radiation. Helping Anxious ChildrenWe understand that going to the dentist, or getting certain dental work done, can be scary for many children. We take measures to ensure that your child is comfortable in our office, including speaking calmly to your child, avoiding scary words, and speaking to them in ways they can understand. This can be helpful for some children, but others may still be anxious. If your child is having trouble sitting still, or they are hysterical, we may discuss options for sedation, which will help your child to remain calm so they can get the necessary work done that they need. If you are ready to schedule your child’s dental visit, or if you have any questions or concerns, contact Douglas L. Park, DDS, Pediatric Dentistry today at (503) 663-8141. |
We would love to hear from you!
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1201 SE 223rd Ave. Gresham, OR 97030 |
p:(503) 663-8141f:(503) 666-6787e:info@parkdds.com |
mon–thurs:8 am–5 pmDuring the School Year:Open FridaysSummer:Closed Fridays |