Preventative Care
Preventative dental care is the key to maintaining a healthy smile, helping you avoid cavities, gum disease, and costly treatments down the road.
Here’s What Actually Prevents Cavities
Most Cavities Happen Between the Teeth
(And Not All Kids Even Need to Floss!)
This surprises a lot of parents—but the majority of cavities we see in young kids start between the teeth where the toothbrush can’t reach.
If your child’s teeth are tight (touching), they need to be flossed every day. If there are visible gaps between their teeth, you can hold off for now. But once the contacts close—usually around age 3 to 6—flossing becomes non-negotiable.
Pro tip: Use kids’ floss picks to make things easier, especially if your child has a small mouth or strong gag reflex.
It's Not About How Much Sugar—It's About How Often
Most people assume sugar causes cavities—but the real issue is frequency.
Your child’s mouth can handle a little sugar. It’s the constant snacking and sipping that leads to tooth decay. Every time they eat or drink something with sugar or carbs, acid levels spike and start attacking enamel. It takes 20–30 minutes for the mouth to neutralize that acid—unless they’re constantly reintroducing sugar.
If your child snacks every hour, or sips juice all afternoon, their teeth never get a break.
The fix: Stick to set meal and snack times. Offer water in between. This gives their teeth time to recover and remineralize.
Brush After Flossing—And Don’t Rinse
We get it—fluoride toothpaste has become controversial. We take a balanced, research-backed approach. Here’s how to make brushing count:
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Use the right amount of toothpaste (grain of rice for under 3, pea-sized for ages 3–6).
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Floss first to remove food and plaque hiding between teeth.
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Brush thoroughly to coat every surface.
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Don’t rinse after brushing, especially before bed. Let the minerals from the toothpaste stay on the teeth and work overnight.
Most parents don’t realize that rinsing washes away the protective ingredients right when they’re most effective.
Don’t Skip Visits—Cavities Grow Fast
We hear it all the time: “We were just in six months ago and they only had one cavity. Now they have eight!”
Cavities in baby teeth can spread quickly—especially between the teeth where you can’t see them. Once one tooth breaks down, the surrounding ones are more likely to follow.
In fact, studies show kids who develop 1 or 2 cavities early on are likely to have 6–12+ cavities within a year if left untreated.
The good news: Catching cavities early means smaller fillings, less invasive treatment, and less money out of pocket. Preventive visits are usually 100% covered by insurance, while treatment adds up fast.
Exams and Cleaning
Dental cleanings and exams are one of the best ways to keep your child’s smile healthy. Cavities can hide between the teeth or under the surface where you can’t see them. During a cleaning, we gently remove plaque and buildup that brushing at home can miss. The exam lets us check for early signs of problems—like cavities, weak spots, or crowding—before they get worse. Catching things early means we can treat them in easier, less expensive ways. These visits also help your child feel comfortable at the dentist and build lifelong healthy habits. Regular checkups every six months really do make a big difference.
🦷 X-Rays
We start by taking quick and easy X-rays to check between the teeth and see how everything looks under the surface. These help us spot cavities or any problems early.
🚿 Gentle Cleaning
Our assistant will gently clean your child’s teeth to remove plaque and food buildup—especially in hard-to-reach spots. We use kid-sized tools and take our time to help them feel comfortable.
🕶 Polishing
Next, we polish the teeth with a special brush and yummy toothpaste. This helps make their smile extra shiny and smooth!
🔍 Dental Exam with Doctor Williams
Dr. Williams will check your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw. He’ll talk through what he sees and answer any questions. If anything needs fixing, we’ll explain the options and come up with a plan together—no pressure, no surprises.
🌟 Fluoride or Remineralization Treatment
Depending on your child’s needs, we may apply a fluoride varnish or a gentle mineral treatment like hydroxyapatite to strengthen their teeth and help prevent cavities.
Sealants
Sealants are a powerful way to stop cavities before they start. They work by covering the deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth—where food and germs like to hide. Even with good brushing, those tiny grooves can be hard to clean. Sealants act like a shield, blocking out plaque and sugar that cause decay. They’re safe, quick, and proven to reduce cavities by up to 80%. With proper care, sealants can last several years and may be touched up if needed during checkups.
🪥 Clean the Tooth
We start by taking quick and easy X-rays to check between the teeth and see how everything looks under the surface. These help us spot cavities or any problems early.
🏖 Dry and Isolate
Our assistant will gently clean your child’s teeth to remove plaque and food buildup—especially in hard-to-reach spots. We use kid-sized tools and take our time to help them feel comfortable.
📝 Prepare the Surface
Next, we polish the teeth with a special brush and yummy toothpaste. This helps make their smile extra shiny and smooth!
🥽 Apply the Sealant
Dr. Williams will check your child’s teeth, gums, and jaw. He’ll talk through what he sees and answer any questions. If anything needs fixing, we’ll explain the options and come up with a plan together—no pressure, no surprises.
💎 Harden with Light
Next, we polish the teeth with a special brush and yummy toothpaste. This helps make their smile extra shiny and smooth!
