When it comes to your child, you want the best for them. At Cochrane Plaza Dental Care, we look forward to providing the care they need to develop and maintain a healthy smile. As a children’s dentist in Morgan Hill, we welcome patients of all ages. We are supported by years of experience to meet the unique set of oral health and behavioral needs of children. We provide the happy, gentle, and caring services our young patients depend on to create a lasting foundation for their dental health.

When Should My Child See a Dentist?

You know you’re supposed to visit your dentist at least twice a year for a cleaning and checkup, but what about your child? Although the primary teeth eventually fall out, they serve invaluable roles while they are in place. They allow your child to learn how to chew and speak correctly while also serving as placeholders for the adult teeth. To ensure they stay strong and healthy until it’s time for them to fall out, your child should see their dentist for the first time before their 1st birthday. They should continue to visit our office regularly every 6 months to monitor their smile as they grow.

Checkups and Cleanings

Your child’s oral hygiene habits at home are their first line of defense against preventable issues, like tooth decay. Unfortunately, child often lack the proper brushing and flossing habits or methods, allowing harmful plaque and bacteria to accumulate in their mouth. Our dental hygienist carefully removes the buildup and polishes their teeth to reduce their risk of complications. They’ll also take the time to teach your child how to best care for their smile in between appointments.

Besides a good cleaning, your child also needs a checkup every 6 months. This allows us to monitor their growing and developing smile to detect any concerning areas sooner. This lets us provide quick intervention to lessen the need for costly or invasive treatments down the road. In addition to a visual exam, we will also take an X-ray to see their oral health in their entirety to find potential issues that may be brewing beneath the surface.

Dental Sealants

Our office focuses on prevention to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Beside a cleaning and checkup, we also offer dental sealants. Applying the clear plastic coating to the surfaces of the back teeth provides a protective barrier between the enamel and cavity-causing bacteria. The quick and painless treatment significantly decreases your child’s risk of cavities.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is known as “nature’s cavity fighter” because it keeps the enamel strong to help protect it from erosion and tooth decay. In some cases, it can even reverse the early stages of decay to stop cavities from developing. Applying the varnish to the teeth makes them more resistant to harmful bacteria to ensure they stay healthy.