We are so happy to offer our families a pediatric dental specialist right here in our office! Dr. Gracia and his team are committed to the health and well-being of all the children they treat, and most of all, they are committed to making every visit fun! Its very exciting to see children looking forward to their dental visits at ADC this is a goal we consistently strive to achieve.

Cavities / Dental Decay
It is our desire for every child to grow up cavity-free, and we have some great advice on how to get there. However, sometimes children do develop cavities at a young age in their baby teeth, and it leaves the parents wondering "what went wrong". Heres what we recommend to aid in the prevention of decay:

It all starts with a healthy diet. A well balanced meal, following the food pyramid recommendations is not only good for overall body health, but for keeping balance in the oral environment, which discourages the prevalence of acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities.

Good oral hygiene is also a must. Children need to brush at least twice a day, and floss once daily. We encourage parents to still help their children brush and floss, even as the children get a little older. When the permanent teeth begin to come in and baby teeth are lost, a LOT is changing and new methods of brushing must be taken on. There are also plaque-detecting rinses available that help to show areas that are being missed during brushing.

Tooth sealants and preventative fillings are also valuable in eliminating the growth of decay in deep grooved areas in the teeth. Groovy areas provide many nooks and crannies for bacteria to settle, so sealing them at a young age is very beneficial.

Regular fluoride treatments also strengthen the enamel and help fight against the effects of cavity-causing bacteria. Fluoridated water is also important during the enamel formation years (up to age 8), however, you must check with your water provider to find out what the level of fluoridation is. Children can receive too much fluoride, which can actually weaken teeth. The recommended level of water fluoridation is 1 part per million (1ppm). If you have any questions, please ask us at your dental visit, or talk to your pediatrician.