6108 Skillman St, Dallas, TX 75231
(469) 998-9822Children’s Dentistry – Dallas, TX
Great for Them,
Convenient for You
Before starting our dental office, Dr. Henry spent three years in a pediatric dental office, so he has plenty of experience working with younger patients and knows how to help them feel comfortable. His light touch and ability to work fast give growing patients and parents the best of both worlds when it comes to quality and convenience, ensuring that neither you nor your child will dread their next trip to the dentist. To schedule their appointment for children's dentistry in Dallas, TX at Skillman Family Dentistry of Dallas, contact us today.
Why Choose Skillman Family Dentistry of Dallas for Children’s Dentistry?
- Dentist with Years of Pediatric Experience
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation Certified
- Dental Insurance & Medicaid Welcomed
Your Child’s First Visit
When a child comes to see us for the first time, no matter their age, our team’s primary goal is to help them feel comfortable in our dental office. This not only makes the appointment go smoother, but ensures that future visits are easy as well. Once a child feels at ease, we’ll examine their mouth, gently clean their teeth, and answer any questions they or you might have about their smile.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are thin, durable plastic coatings that cover and seal up the pits and grooves of the molars, or back teeth. Sealants are usually recommended for children and teenagers but are also placed on adult teeth in some cases. No matter how much you brush and floss, the chewing surfaces of the back teeth still harbor bacteria and food debris, making these areas prone to early cavities. Dr. Henry provides sealants to form a barrier to prevent those cavities from ever starting.
We gently brush a liquid plastic material onto the clean tooth surface. It takes only a few seconds to dry or harden using a special light. No drilling or numbing of the tooth is needed. The best time to have sealants placed is when the teeth first emerge from under the gums. This simple preventive measure can protect teeth for up to 10 years, long enough to get your child past his or her cavity-prone stage.
Non-Nutritive Habits
Common childhood habits like thumb/finger sucking or tongue thrusting can alter the development of the teeth and jaw, leading to serious orthodontic issues that have to be corrected down the road. So if your child engages in any of them, please let our team know, and we’ll go over proven ways to help them stop. Our methods revolve around positivity and rewards rather than punishment and shame, which can make the difficult adjustment process as pleasant as possible for both of you!
Pulp Therapy
Every tooth has a layer of pulp at the center, which includes a collection of blood vessels and nerve tissue. If this becomes infected, it can swell and cause quite the toothache. Instead of removing the tooth altogether, we can get rid of the damaged pulp while leaving any healthy portion behind. This stops a child’s toothache and preserves their tooth, allowing it to function like normal, an approach that is much easier and less expensive compared to an extraction!
Sedation Dentistry for Kids
Our team understands that many children aren’t exactly fans of the dentist, and for those who are really nervous about seeing us, Dr. Henry can offer nitrous oxide sedation. This not only calms the child’s mind, but it also allows our team to work faster and do more dentistry in a single appointment, saving you time. Plus, once a child has a single positive experience at the dentist, this will help them start to form a positive relationship with our dental office, making future visits much calmer.
Children's Dentistry FAQs
When should I schedule my child’s first dental appointment?
The American Dental Association recommends bringing your child to their dentist’s office for the first time by their first birthday or whenever their first tooth begins to erupt, whichever comes first. Getting your child used to receiving professional oral care early in life can prevent oral infections that can disrupt their developing smile and help them learn excellent oral hygiene skills so they can keep their smile healthy for many decades. This will also allow the team at Skillman Family Dentistry of Dallas to monitor their oral health from an early age, which may help us anticipate how to help your child stay healthy.
What will happen during my child’s first visit to the dentist’s office?
A child’s first visit to the dental office is usually brief and relatively simple. We’ll be sure to provide you with the instructions you need to help your child keep their smile healthy and learn proper hygiene habits, and we’ll also check your little one’s developing teeth for placement and potential signs of trouble. We may clean parts of your child’s mouth as necessary, and we’ll take the time to answer any questions you have about their developing mouth and how to keep it in great shape.
How can I prepare my child for their first dental appointment?
It’s important to show your child that you feel positive about their upcoming dental appointment so they don’t become anxious about it. This will help your child remain calm throughout the session and make it easier for them to acclimate to the dental cleaning process. Our dentist is trained to help children feel calm and safe during dental treatment, so you can rest assured that your little one will receive attentive and gentle care that will help them stay healthy for life.
Why should I worry about my child’s baby teeth if they are going to fall out anyway?
While baby teeth do not last as long as adult teeth, they play a crucial role in your child’s development by helping them chew thoroughly and learn to speak clearly. Losing even one can make these processes difficult and leave the gum tissue vulnerable to destructive injuries and infections that can have long-lasting consequences. The baby teeth also help to guide the emerging adult teeth into position, so losing them too early can set your child up for dental misalignments. Furthermore, the baby teeth represent an excellent opportunity to learn excellent oral hygiene habits before the permanent ones come in, which can be a great way to potentially set a child up for a lifetime without destructive oral infections.