Children’s Dentistry in Lawrence, KS

Your Child’s First Visit

Your child should start visiting the dentist within six months of their first tooth erupting. Their initial visit will mainly be spent helping them get used to the sights and sounds of a dental office. We want our dental office to feel like a safe, comfortable place for your little one so that they can stay as calm as possible during future treatments. After this first appointment, your little one should return every six months for regular cleanings and examinations.

Dental Sealants

You can certainly teach your child the best way to brush their teeth, but until they’ve fully developed the skill, we can provide them with an additional safety net in the form of a dental sealant. This is a protective coating made out of plastic or a similar type of material that bonds directly with the teeth. It acts as a barrier against food particles and bacteria. Sealants do not completely eliminate the need for brushing, but they can reduce the risk of cavities in molars by up to 80%.

Silver Diamine Fluoride

Many children are bothered by the sensations and sounds produced by a dental drill. Fortunately, there’s an alternate way to treat cavities in their absolute earliest stages: silver diamine fluoride. On its own, fluoride can help remineralize and strengthen the enamel; meanwhile, silver can be used to kill harmful oral bacteria. Together, they can halt the development of a cavity altogether, preventing further damage. Silver diamine fluoride can also help prevent decay from occurring in the first place.

Special Needs Children’s Dentistry

If your child has been diagnosed with autism or Down syndrome, or suffers from physical disabilities, they may need special attention during a routine dental examination. Our dentists and staff know that a lot of families have to deal with such challenges, and they will do everything they can to accommodate your unique situation during every visit.

Frenectomies/Lip & Tongue-Tie

There is a small band of tissue called the frenum that attaches the upper lip to the gums and the tongue to the floor of the mouth. An overly restrictive frenum can cause a lip or tongue tie, which in turn could get in the way of breastfeeding. Sometimes, lip and tongue-ties take care of themselves as your child grows older, but if we decide treatment is required, we can quickly remove the frenum in question via laser dentistry. A frenectomy performed with a laser causes little to no discomfort; we may not even need to numb your child’s mouth.

Learn More About Lip & Tongue Tie Treatment

Non-Nutritive Habits

Does your child still suck their thumb? If they’re still in the infant stage, that shouldn’t be a problem. Most children give up the habit on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. If they haven’t between ages 4 and 6, then you may need to take the initiative in stopping it before it has an adverse effect on their dental development. Feel free to talk to us about your child’s non-nutritive habits during your next visit.

Pulp Therapy

Has your child been complaining about a toothache lately? Even if it doesn’t look like anything is wrong in their mouth, there might be a problem with the pulp beneath the enamel. During pulp therapy, we’ll either partially or completely remove the infected tissues inside the tooth to stop the pain and prevent further damage. Our goal is to stop your child’s pain while also making sure they can keep their natural tooth.

Sedation Dentistry for Kids

Almost a fifth of school-age children is afraid of going to the dentist under any circumstances. This anxiety can sometimes stand in the way of them receiving necessary care. We encourage parents to let us know about their children’s anxieties ahead of time so that we can plan accordingly with an appropriate form of sedation. Nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation are all safe for children to use; we’ll help you figure out which kind is appropriate for your child’s situation.