Pediatric Dentistry In Lathrop

Expert Care For Little Smiles

Pediatric Dentistry

At Mossdale Dental, we treat children of all ages. From infants to toddlers, pre-teens to teenagers, Dr. Pon Tath can provide your children with the preventive care they need at every stage of their childhood. Schedule an appointment today.

a family playing outside

Starting Young

The Importance Of Early Dental Care

The AAPD recommends that children see the dentist for the first time within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, but no later than their first birthday. 

This may seem very young, but getting early dental care from a dentist like Dr. Tath at Mossdale Dental is not only beneficial, but crucial to your child’s long-term dental health. Your child will become more familiar with the process of going to the dentist, and will be able to build a real relationship with our team. In turn, this means they’ll build better life-long oral health habits, and will be less likely to feel nervous or anxious about dental care in general.

baby touching mother's face

Telltale Signs

Recognizing Cavities In Children

Your child may complain of a toothache, or their tooth may be more sensitive to heat, cold, and the pressure of chewing. Their teeth may hurt more or be more sensitive when eating sugary foods or drinking sugary beverages. You may be able to see visible signs of tooth decay, in some cases. Look for visible pits or holes in the tooth, as well as black or dark brown stains and discoloration. 

However, not every cavity is visible to the naked eye. If your child is in pain, or you notice any of the above signs and suspect your child has a cavity, don’t wait. Bring them in for a consultation with Dr. Tath right away.

a dentist checking a little girl's mouth

Restore Decayed Teeth

Fillings

Cavities are the #1 most common preventable childhood disease in kids of all ages. If your child has a cavity, a filling is the best way to restore their tooth, eliminate their pain and discomfort, and prevent further complications.

a little boy looking at tooth diagram

Protect Damaged Teeth

Crowns

Dental crowns are usually made out of ceramic materials or stainless steel, and can be either custom-built or pre-fitted. They are designed to cover up your child’s entire tooth structure, and protect it from further damage. Crowns are usually recommended for deep cavities, or for teeth that have been damaged by dental trauma.

Filling-Free Cavity Treatment

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

SDF uses a unique mixture of silver, ammonia, fluoride, and water. When applied to a cavity and protected with a fluoride varnish, this mixture destroys bacteria and halts the progression of the cavity. In some cases, this is a good alternative to a filling. However, SDF should only be used on baby teeth, as it stains the tooth black.

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Baby Root Canals

Pulpotomies

Pulpotomies, also known as “baby root canals,” are used to restore infected baby teeth. Dr. Tath will create a small opening in the tooth, remove decayed pulp from the inside, and apply a dressing that will help the tooth heal. Then, the tooth will be protected with a filling or crown to keep it healthy until it falls out naturally, and is replaced by an adult tooth.

Ensure Proper Development

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers may be required to protect your child’s oral development if they lose a baby tooth prematurely. These dental prostheses are designed to attach to your child’s healthy teeth, and fill the gap where their missing baby tooth used to be. This prevents teeth from shifting toward the empty socket, and ensures their adult teeth erupt properly.

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