Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treating the oral health needs of children from infancy to age 18. Becoming a pediatric dentist requires years of education, including completing a bachelor’s degree, dental school, passing several certification exams, and completing a residency in pediatric dentistry. You can relax knowing your child is in good hands with Dr. Bradley Bullard, Dr. Alicia Bullard, or Dr. Carly Sherod.
Services Offered by Our Pediatric Dentists
Children need a professional cleaning and exam every six months just as adults do. After one of our hygienists cleans, polishes, and flosses your child’s teeth, a dentist will come into the exam room to visually inspect his or her teeth and gums. The cleaning portion of the exam removes the buildup of plaque and tartar before they break down into bacteria and cause tooth decay.
Our dentist will speak to you about your child’s oral health habits and advise you on handling issues such as thumb sucking, diet, and inadequate toothbrushing. We typically do not take dental X-rays of pediatric patients unless your child’s dentist suspects a specific issue.
Fluoride treatments
Keeping teeth clean can be challenging, even for adults. Walnut Street Dental provides children with a bit of extra help through fluoride treatments. Fluoride treatments come in the form of a varnish, foam, gel, or concentrated rinse. Your child’s dentist applies the treatment by using a special mouthwash or brushing the substance directly onto the teeth with a cotton swab.
Fluoride treatments take no more than five minutes to apply. You should not allow your child to have anything to eat or drink for 30 minutes after receiving this treatment.
Sealants
The molar teeth are most prone to cavities because they are the most difficult for children to reach and keep consistently clean. Dental sealants provide extra protection against tooth decay. To apply a dental sealant, your child’s dentist paints a cleansing liquid on the molar teeth and waits a few minutes for it to dry. This treatment helps to keep bacteria out and is especially useful for the chewing surface of the back teeth.
Repair of dental injuries
Children sometimes lose baby teeth prematurely due to an accident or poor oral healthcare. Should this happen to your child, our dentist always attempts to repair the tooth before extracting it. When extraction is necessary, the dentist may place a space maintainer in the spot where your child lost the tooth. The space maintainer holds a spot for the future permanent tooth and prevents the remaining baby teeth from shifting out of alignment.
Schedule an Appointment with Us
Each of our family dentists also practices pediatric dentistry in Winona, MN. We invite you to contact us with questions about additional services or schedule a cleaning and exam for your child at your convenience.
