Preventive care is the foundation of a lifetime of healthy smiles. Our approach focuses on protecting your child’s teeth, identifying concerns early, and helping families build simple, positive habits that support long-term oral health.
From routine exams and gentle cleanings to digital X-rays, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants, every visit is tailored to your child’s age and individual needs. With compassionate care, modern technology, and a child-centered approach, we make preventive visits comfortable, educational, and encouraging.
Regular checkups and cleanings are the foundation of your child’s oral health. These visits help us prevent cavities, monitor growth, answer questions, and help your child feel comfortable at the dentist.
At Redwood Pediatric Dentistry, preventive care is gentle, encouraging, and personalized for your child’s age and needs.
Digital X-rays provide fast, high-resolution images that allow us to detect what’s happening between the teeth and beneath closed surfaces—especially in the molar areas. Using advanced low-dose digital imaging, we can monitor developing teeth, evaluate bone health, and identify cavities forming between teeth early on. This technology uses significantly less radiation than traditional X-rays, providing a safer and more comfortable experience for your child.
Some patients who have active tooth decay may be eligible for an alternative treatment that uses Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). While SDF has been used for decades in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, SDF became commercially available to dental professionals in April of 2015 (including Dr. Franklin who trained in a program leading the nation in evidence based research on SDF and Hall Crowns). Compared to a traditional filling that may require a local anesthetic and drilling of tooth structure, this treatment is non-invasive and very quick for the patient. It is a liquid that is simply brushed on to the cavity that can stop current decay and also prevent new decay in the future. It turns cavities BLACK, typically this is in back areas with very low visibility.
We may recommend a fluoride varnish to help remineralize and strengthen your child’s teeth. This is always optional and we’re more than happy to discuss the benefits!
Dental sealants use either a glass ionomer or an opaque liquid resin to seal the deepest grooves and pits of your child’s permanent molars. Sealants are remarkably effective at preventing bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities on the outer grooves of teeth.
We recommend mouthguards for sports where any trauma is likely. Often times Dr. Franklin recommends starting with over-the-counter mouthguards. When the time comes, we can also make your child a custom mouthguard to help your child avoid oral injuries like cracked, broken, loose, or knocked-out teeth.
Encourage your child to brush their teeth twice daily, with a focus on brushing for one minute for younger kids and two minutes for older kids. Help your child brush until they reach 7 years old or can easily cut a tough food item with a sharp knife. When your child can brush independently, make it a family activity to reinforce the importance of oral hygiene.
Start flossing your child’s teeth when two teeth touch, which usually occurs around 2.5 years old with the arrival of the posterior molars. Nighttime flossing is the most effective, but flossing at least every other day can significantly reduce buildup of plaque. Using floss sticks or a Reach flosser can make the process easier. Children may need help flossing longer than brushing, particularly on the back teeth.
Baby teeth are essential for a child’s overall oral health and development for several reasons. Firstly, healthy baby teeth allow for proper chewing and biting, which leads to a balanced diet and good nutrition. Secondly, baby teeth play a crucial role in speech development and pronunciation. Furthermore, baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth, guiding them into the proper position. Neglect of baby teeth can lead to overcrowding or misalignment in permanent teeth. Lastly, a healthy, confident smile in childhood can positively impact self-esteem and quality of life. It is important to remember that baby teeth play a crucial role in a child’s overall oral health and development, and should be taken care of accordingly.
Most dental plans cover preventive care such as bi-annual cleanings, fluoride treatments, exams, etc. for eligible dependents. However, dental insurance companies aim to minimize costs and may not cover all recommended treatments. Our team will assist you in understanding your dental insurance benefits.
