Preventative Dental Care Services

Preventative Dental Care Services

At Summerville Pediatric Dentistry, we offer preventive dental care tailored specifically for children and adolescents. From regular cleanings to specialized preventive procedures, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive dental services that empower young patients to cultivate and sustain healthy dental habits.

At Summerville Pediatric Dentistry, we offer preventive dental care tailored specifically for children and adolescents. From regular cleanings to specialized preventive procedures, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive dental services that empower young patients to cultivate and sustain healthy dental habits.

Boy brushing his teeth in a mirror at home

Preventative Care

Our preventative dental care services for children and adolescents fosters healthy dental habits. We recommend starting by brushing with water as soon as your baby’s first tooth comes in. As they grow, introducing brushing with toothpaste, flossing and fluoride are good prevention tactics that can help children build good oral care habits from an early age to help protect against cavities, bacteria, decay and more.

Oral Cancer Screening

When new or established patients come into a practice it is a vital part of our complete care to assess a patient’s oral health treatment to include head and neck cancer screening.
One-third of all cancers occur in the head and neck, two-thirds of those manifest in the mouth. So, with x-rays called panograph and physical exam through palpation of the neck and lymph nodes around the jaw, neck and head, we can do a good screening.

Oral cancer risks can be increased by:

  1. Tobacco use of any kind
  2. Heavy alcohol use
  3. Previous oral cancer diagnosis
  4. History of significant sun exposure, which can increase the risk of lip cancer.

Cancer is rare; however, it is very important that we stay vigilant in this world and hopefully we could find it when it appears and treat it before any permanent negative

consequences occur.
If treatment is needed all would be discussed, proper referrals would be given, and all concerns will be addressed to the best of our ability. Never fear to ask questions to help us communicate to better help you. We can fight it together.

XRAYS (Dental Radiographs):

young girl smiles as she prepares for her x-ray at the Summerville Pediatric Office

What are dental radiographs and why are they important?

Radiographs, or dental x-rays, are very valuable tool used for the dental patient. They help diagnose many things in dentistry that can’t be seen simply with the naked eye. 

For example,

  1. The help evaluate the growth of the jaw.
  2. They allow the dentist to access development and eruption of the primary and permanent teeth.
  3. Answer lots of questions that can’t be seen only by a visual exam, such as finding missing teeth, cavities, cysts in the jaw, 3rd molar assessments, and orthodontic concerns.

Are dental x-rays safe? 

Summerville Pediatric Dentistry makes every effort to minimize the exposure of radiation of children. 

The radiation risk from a dental X-ray is quite small. In fact, the amount of radiation you get from a full set of dental X-rays is comparable to the amount of radiation you absorb from things like:

  1. TVs, smartphones, and computers.
  2. Building materials like ceramic floor tiles and granite countertops.
  3. Background radiation from the sun, stars, and the Earth itself.

What factors are used in prescribing x-rays?

  1. The specific needs of the patient, taking into consideration such things as medical, social, and family history.
  2. Guidelines established by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Dentistry. These guidelines are considered the standard of care, and which dentists must follow.
  3. Our office standard in taking x-rays is to both minimize the exposure to ionizing radiation and be consistent with the most appropriate standard of care.
  4. If we recommend that your child needs x-rays, we will ALWAYS inform you prior to taking them.

Important Note: We respect the absolute right of parents to decline any treatment for a child, including x-rays. However, it is important that the doctor-patient relationship is one of trust and respect, and of aligned treatment philosophies. Each of our dentists has gone through extensive specialty training to provide the highest quality dental care for your child and will not lower our practice standards, even upon parental request. We are happy to answer any questions as to why any dental treatment is needed, including dental x-rays. It is ultimately the responsibility of the dentist to provide safe and effective care for you child, while adhering to the standard of care. If our dentists inform you that taking of x rays is medically necessary for your child’s dental health, and you refuse, your dentist may not be able to continue to treat your child. 

Types of Imaging:

  • Panoramic
  • Bitewing and Occlusal films
  • Periapical Radiographs
  • Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
  • Extra-oral facial films
  • Cephalometric X-ray

Schedule Your Appointment Today!