Dentistry for Children – Birmingham, AL

Helping Young Smiles Remain Decay-Free

Dr. Angelica Rohner is a pediatric dentist in Birmingham who understands that school-aged children need help maintaining healthy smiles. Once they reach this age, it can be difficult finding available time to bring them in for regular dental checkups and cleanings. Between school, homework, extracurricular activities, and sports, you may feel as if there is little time available throughout your day. However, because they may be unable to brush and floss correctly by themselves and are looking for every sugary and starchy food available, they are often more prone to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. Fortunately, we can help put their smiles on the right track and minimize the potential problems of the future. If you’re ready to make our dental office your child’s home for better oral healthcare, contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Kid’s Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Every six months, you should bring your child in for a regular dental checkup and cleaning. It is during these visits we can closely examine their teeth, gums, jaw, facial development, and bite. By monitoring their oral growth, we can identify problem areas early on and mitigate the potential for more extensive procedures and treatments later on. We’ll also remove any hardened plaque and tartar from their teeth and gums to help prevent serious disease from negatively impacting their soft oral tissues.

Oral Cancer Screenings

Although it is rare for a child to develop oral cancer, it’s not impossible. Early detection is essential for successful treatment, which is why we will perform a quick and painless scan each time they visit for a regular checkup. We will look for abnormalities, lumps, and anything that appears “off” or out of place. Should we discover anything of concern, we will refer you and your child to a local specialist who will perform additional tests to determine if an official diagnosis is necessary.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are most common when patients have all their permanent teeth; however, if your little one is prone to cavities and you want to provide them with better protection, we can apply dental sealants. These thin, plastic coatings are painted over the chewing surfaces of their molars and premolars. Because these teeth have many small pits and grooves, bacteria and food particles can easily burrow into the tooth enamel and cause decay and cavities to form. But dental sealants form a protective barrier, keeping bacteria and food out and away from your child’s teeth. With proper care, they can last a decade or longer, but we will check them during each visit to ensure they’re still in place.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a natural mineral that is found in most city water and toothpaste brands. Because of its ability to strengthen tooth enamel and combat decay, your child needs an ample amount to protect their growing smile. If your children’s dentist in Birmingham suspects your child might need more fluoride, she may recommend a topical fluoride treatment. This quick and easy application occurs during a regular dental checkup and helps safeguard smiles in between appointments.

Customized Nightguards & Sportsguards

Is your little one involved in pee-wee football or softball? Do they tend to grind their teeth at night while asleep? To better protect against significant enamel wear and tear or a sudden injury on the field, court, or track, make sure to talk to your child’s dentist about a customized nightguard or sportsguard. These uniquely made oral appliances create a barrier, so your child’s teeth and soft oral tissues are protected. Should your little one experience a hard hit or fall, the force of impact is lessened and instead spread out along all teeth instead of just one specific area. Also, with a customized nightguard, your child’s teeth will no longer touch, and any additional pressure placed on their jaw joints and facial muscles will be relaxed.