Dental Treatment for Children

At Rubino Dental Family Dental Care we recommend that you schedule your child’s first check up some time between one and three years old. Young children can visit with a parent to see our office while you are having your teeth cleaned and checked. This is a nice introduction to our office and to see how easy the experience is for Mom or Dad.

Parents should begin daily brushing as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. All food contains some amount of sugar so where there are teeth they should be cleaned daily. A soft toothbrush with no toothpaste should be used on infants. A pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used after the child is old enough not to swallow it. By age 4 or 5, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day with supervision until about age seven to make sure they are doing a thorough job. Each child, however, is different.

Healthy eating habits lead to healthy teeth. Like the rest of the body, the teeth, bones and the soft tissues of the mouth need a well-balanced diet. Sticky, sugary snacks should be rarely consumed only as a treat. Healthy nutritious food will allow the primary (baby) and permanent teeth to develop well. Calcium which is in milk, cheese and green leafy vegetables contribute to the development of strong adult teeth which are forming under the bone shortly after birth.

• Sealants - A sealant is a clear or shaded acrylic material that is bonded to the chewing surfaces (grooves) of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where most cavities in children are found. This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque and acid, and is an excellent preventive measure for these decay-prone areas of the teeth


• Fluoride – Each form of fluoride reduces the amount of decay. The lower concentrations in drinking water and tooth paste are an excellent anti-cavity benefit. The higher concentration fluoride treatments in our office also strengthen tooth enamel and resist tooth decay.


• Fillings – When decay is detected we usually place tooth colored fillings using nitrous oxide or laughing gas to relax children (and adults when needed). We take great care and time to talk with children and explain all procedures in a relaxed atmosphere.


• Orthodontic (Braces) Evaluation – We evaluate teeth, jaw and facial development of each child every six months. If needed, we can recommend orthodontic treatment at the appropriate time by one of our trusted, experienced orthodontist colleagues.