Kids Dentistry in Plano, TX

Gentle dentistry in Plano, TX keeps kids smiling

At SouthFork Dental, the office lights up when little guests arrive. We enjoy providing positive experiences that help children of all ages develop terrific dental habits. Some of the brightest young smiles in the Plano, Frisco, and Irving TX area have had a little help from Dr. Bindu Kolli and her kids’ dentistry team.

A lifetime of healthy smiles

It is never too early to start taking your child to the dentist. However, the earlier dental care starts, the better your child’s oral health will be protected.

Schedule the first dental visit before your child’s first birthday – they will likely already have a tooth or two. We make the appointment relaxed and fun, helping your child look forward to future visits. You can talk to your child about the appointment, but there is no need to over-explain. If your child sees that you don’t view a trip to the dentist as a big deal, then they can feel the same about their visit.

We might ask one parent to accompany the child into the treatment room, which allows our team to focus on the work on hand. The little one gets to know our staff and becomes familiar with the sights and sounds of a dental office. We count teeth, clean the mouth, and answer your questions about home hygiene, nutrition, baby bottle feeding, pacifiers, oral development, and other dental issues. After the first visit, we recommend regular six-month checkups.

The First Visit

A child should ideally visit the dentist by his/her first birthday.

Dr. Kolli and her staff have a great deal of experience in treating children of all ages. Our goal is to leave a positive and long-lasting impression on kids that allows them to view dental visits as fun and enjoyable. Throughout the visit, we put your child at ease by playing cartoons and having other fun distractions.

You can inform your child about the visit, but please do not over-explain. If you act like the visit isn't a big deal, then your child will likely follow suit. If needed, we ask that one parent accompany the patient to the operatory. This allows our staff the room they need to treat your child.

Infant & Toddlers

Birth to 6 months

Clean your child's mouth with gauze after feedings and before bedtime. Regulate their feeding habits.

6 to 12 months

The first tooth will appear at this age. Schedule your child's first dental visit around the time of their first birthday or around six months after their tooth first erupts.

Brush their teeth after each feeding and at bedtime with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Use only water or non-fluoridated tooth and gum cleanser. Children should spit out excess toothpaste after brushing to ensure they don't swallow the toothpaste.

12 to 24 months

Most primary teeth will erupt at this stage. We recommend that children get a checkup every six months to prevent cavities and other dental problems.

If a child can rinse their mouth, we recommend using pea-sized portions of fluoridated toothpaste at 24 months. Children should spit out excess toothpaste after brushing.

Preventative Care

Sealants

Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth. They are made of clear or shaded plastic and help keep the teeth cavity-free.

They are most beneficial on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, which is where we find the most cavities in children. Sealants reduce the occurrence of cavities on these teeth by 80%.

Benefits of kids’ dentistry in Irving and Plano, TX

• Prevention – We want to help your child avoid the discomfort of dental problems early on. This will spare you the concern and expense that comes with more severe dental problems. Prevention tools include safe topical fluoride treatment, dental sealants, and comfortable custom-fit sports mouthguards.
• Growing smiles – By monitoring your child’s oral development carefully, we recommend the best time for braces if they are needed. Dr. Kolli is experienced in orthodontics, so you most likely will not need to go to a specialist.
• Dentistry for life – Your child won’t need to switch dentists at adolescence or adulthood. They can remain a patient at Southfork Dental throughout his or her lifetime.
  
• Efficiency – The entire family can receive dental care at one office with convenient locations and appointment times. This means less running around to get your dental needs taken care of.

Little smiles are in good hands at Southfork Dental. Call 469-535-6939 to schedule an appointment.