Dentistry for Kids
Lacey, WA
 The health of your child’s mouth is important. Just like you, they should be brushing and flossing every day, and maintaining regular dental visits for cleanings and exams. This goes a long way in detecting and preventing serious oral health issues.
However, your child’s mouth is different from yours. Not only is it smaller, but it is also constantly growing and developing. Your child’s mouth continues to develop well into their late teens. At Brian K. Rounds, DDS, we focus on providing dental services for the whole family, and can provide your child with the specialized care they need with dental services for kids.
Professional Cleanings and Exams
At Brian K. Rounds, DDS, we recommend regular dental cleanings and exams at least twice a year, for both adults and children. A dental cleaning involves scraping plaque, tartar (hardened plaque), bacteria, and other debris from the surfaces of your child’s teeth. We will also polish their teeth with a special dental polish and our electric handpiece.
After your child’s cleaning, we will then perform an oral exam. We will look at the structures within your child’s mouth. We check their teeth for signs of damage, as well as cavities. Their gums will be checked for redness, swelling, and other signs of gum disease. We inspect their other oral tissues and assess the alignment of their jaw.
After we look at your child’s mouth, we will have a discussion with them (and with you, if your child is younger). We will ask your child (or you) about their oral health care habits. We can provide tips on how to improve oral health, how to prevent cavities, and answer any questions that your child, or you, might have.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride is an element that is naturally found in your enamel. Fluoride is lost naturally throughout the day, just as it is replaced. However, children may not be able to replenish the necessary amount. This leaves their teeth susceptible to cavities. At Brian K. Rounds, DDS, we can provide your child with fluoride treatments. These treatments are quick and painless. We apply a gel to their teeth, and fluoride is absorbed in through the enamel. It protects their teeth from the acids produced by oral bacteria. It can also help to protect their emerging permanent teeth as well.
Dental Sealants
The chewing surfaces of your child’s molars have deep grooves and depressions. Food and bacteria can collect here, and these spaces are not the easiest to keep clean. This leaves these areas susceptible to cavities. Sealants are a quick, pain-free way to protect the chewing surfaces of your child’s molars from cavities. We use a special acidic gel that creates a rough surface, which will help the sealants to bond better to their teeth. After it is washed off, the tooth is dried, and we paint the sealant material on. It is hardened with a special light. With sealants, your child’s teeth are easier to keep clean, and there are fewer places for bacteria to hide.
X-Rays
X-rays are integral to anyone’s oral health care plan. At Brian K. Rounds, DDS, we use digital X-rays, which reduces your child’s exposure to radiation by up to 95%. These X-rays allow us to see the hidden spaces within your child’s mouth. We can monitor the development of their jaw and their permanent teeth. They also allow us to diagnose cavities in their early stages. With X-rays, we can take action early, preventing serious oral health issues later.
If you’re ready to schedule your child’s next dental visit, call Brian K. Rounds, DDS today.
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