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A Santa Cruz Dentist Open on Saturdays

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Are You Looking for a Santa Cruz Dentist Open on Saturdays?

Going to the dentist can be a big hassle if you have to take time off work or out of your busy weekly schedule, and most offices are only open Monday thru Friday. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a Santa Cruz dentist open on Saturdays? Well, Landmark Dental Group does offer services on some Saturdays. Learn more about how Landmark can help you.

Appointments on Select Saturdays

To help make dental appointments more convenient for patients, Landmark Dental Group is open on select Saturdays in 2016. These Saturdays include July 16, August 6, September 10, October 15, November 12 and December 3. This way, patients who work regular hours don’t have to take time off work for dental services. Saturday appointments are by appointment only.

Patients of All Ages

Landmark Dental Group accepts patients of all ages. This makes it a great option for your entire family. Instead of scheduling a ton of different appointments at different offices, get all your family’s dental work done in grouped appointments in one day. Landmark Dental Group welcomes children of all ages and offers education regarding many pediatric dental concerns, such as thumb sucking, dental sealing, tooth eruption and how to care for your child’s smile. For older patients, Landmark can help with gum disease, dry mouth, missing teeth and many other age-related problems.

A Wide Range of Preventative and Restorative Services

The first piece of the oral health puzzle is good preventative care, which is why Landmark offers a wide range of preventative care, such as x-rays, exams, cleanings and scaling and root planing. If you already have some problems that need to be corrected, such as a cavity, Landmark can help with that too. They even offer tooth-colored fillings. Other services offered include extractions, crowns and root canal therapy.

Cosmetic Treatments

Having a healthy smile is the most important part of your oral health, but even if your teeth and gums are healthy, you may not have the smile you want. Crooked teeth, stained teeth or years of not caring for your teeth may leave them looking less than stellar. Landmark Dental offers many services that will improve your smile. Cosmetic treatments include tooth whitening, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns, dentures, bridges and dental implants.

Emergency Services

When you have an infection, cavity, cracked tooth or missing crown, you may not want to schedule an appointment and wait a few days for treatment. Luckily, at Landmark Dental, you don’t have to because they accept emergency appointments. Instead of waiting days or weeks, you’ll get in as soon as possible and have your pain relieved fast.

Sedation Dentistry

It’s not uncommon to feel a rise in stress when you are heading for the dentist. A lot of people suffer from dental anxiety, but there are ways to make your appointment smooth and comfortable. Landmark Dental Group offers sedation dentistry options, such as inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation, so you’ll be able to relax while you’re at the dentist. Make sure to talk with your dentist about which sedation option is right for you and if you’ll need a ride home.

You don’t have to stress over how you’re going to make it to your Santa Cruz dentist. With Landmark Dental Group, you can have Saturday appointments and get a wide variety of treatments for your entire family. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

General Dentist in Santa Cruz

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4 Facts You Didn’t Know About General Dentists in Santa Cruz

You don’t need to choose a special dentist for everyone in your family just because they have different concerns or they are different ages. When you choose a good general dentist, you can get everything you need in one office. Check out these four facts you probably didn’t know about general dentists in Santa Cruz.

Many General Dentists See Patients of All Ages

General dentists are a great option for your entire family because most general dentists see patients of any age. Kids who are just getting their teeth, teens, adults and the elderly are all welcome. General dentists often have specialty treatments for younger and older patients. This is because kids and geriatrics face different oral problems than teens and adults. For example, many older people must deal with gum recession, dry mouth and missing teeth, but at great general dentist offices like Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz, these patients can seek help. You don’t have to find three different dentists for you, your children and your aging parents. Simply find a general dentist who treats everyone.

General Dentists May Offer Cosmetic Care

Cosmetic dentistry is a hot topic these days. Thanks to the advancements in cosmetic care, patients can get the smile they’ve always wanted. You may think you have to go see an expensive dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry, but that isn’t the case. Because more and more patients want beautiful smiles, many general dentists are learning cosmetic techniques. Dr. Tran and Dr. Weston of Landmark Dental Group have taken continuing education courses in these types of treatments. The best part about choosing a general dentist that offers cosmetic care is that you get to work with a dentist who doesn’t simply make your mouth look great, but ensures that your mouth is healthy.

Some General Dentists Even Provide Advanced Treatments

There are a lot of different types of dentists: periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, etc. If you require something other than a regular cleaning or filling, you may have to be sent to one of these specialists for treatment. However, if you choose the right general dentist, they can provide many advanced treatments themselves. At Landmark Dental, Dr. Tran has taken continuing education courses in root canal therapy, so you don’t have to be sent somewhere else to have your treatment.

General Dentists Can Provide Sedation Dentistry

Going to the dentist can cause a lot of stress and anxiety in patients. If you’ve ever been to one of the previously mentioned specialty dentists for treatment, you may have had some sedation to help you relax. However, even general dentists can provide sedation dentistry. At Landmark Dental Group, Dr. Weston has taken extra courses in sedation dentistry to ensure that patients have relaxing visits. Sedation options include three different options: 1.) inhalation, 2.) oral, and 3.) IV conscious. These sedation options aren’t just for big procedures. You can request them for just about any treatment, so that you can feel at ease.

General dentists do a lot more than just cleaning teeth and filling cavities. When you choose a general dentist with great training, you can get many services for the entire family so that everyone can have a healthy beautiful smile. For more information about general dentists in Santa Cruz and the treatments they provide, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Looking for a Santa Cruz Dentist?

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5 Tips for Choosing the Right Santa Cruz Dentist

All dentists have gone to dental school, but that doesn’t mean that they are all the same. Different dentists may offer different services, so when you are looking for the right Santa Cruz dentist for you and your family, follow these five tips.

1.) Look at Who They Treat

When looking for the perfect Santa Cruz dentist for you, look at who the provider treats. This is especially important if you have kids or aging parents that you are caring for. It can be very inconvenient and time-consuming go to three different dentists: one for you, one for your child and one for your elderly parents. Many general dentists, however, treat patients of any age. They have the training to care for your child’s teeth as soon as they begin to erupt, and they have the ability to help elderly patients with their specialized concerns, such as dry mouth and tooth loss.

2.) Ask if They Offer Cosmetic Services

You don’t want to find a dentist who only offers cosmetic services or puts beauty before health, but it is a good idea to choose a dentist who does offer cosmetic services. A good general dentist focuses first on health but can also provide you with the cosmetic services you want to have a beautiful smile. A general dentist with the right training can give you the amazing smile that you want. For example, at Landmark Dental Group, you can get services such as veneers, crowns, tooth whitening and even dental implants without having to go see an expensive cosmetic dentist.

3.) Determine if You Will Need to See a Specialist

If you’ve ever needed more than a typical cleaning or filling, you may have been sent to a specialist. Many dentists don’t have the experience to provide certain services, such as root canal therapy, so they must send their patients to someone else. This means that you must go see a dentist that you don’t know and aren’t comfortable with, which can increase anxiety. However, some general dentists do have training in services such as root canal therapy, so you won’t have to go somewhere else.

4.) Inquire About Sedation Dentistry

Most people don’t love going to the dentist. The thought alone can cause stress levels to rise in many patients. Luckily, sedation dentistry is available. With inhalation, oral or IV conscious sedation, you can relax at your dental visit and forget much of the treatment. When looking for your perfect dentist, find out if they offer sedation dentistry, especially if you suffer from anxiety when going to the dentist.

5.) Check Their Education and Training

Having a dentist who can provide many types of treatments is great, but it’s important to find out if they actually have the education and training to provide those treatments. If your dentist offers dental implants, ensure they have taken continuing education courses in providing dental implants. Landmark Dental Group offers sedation dentistry, cosmetic procedures and root canals, but the doctors have taken courses in these services, so you know you can trust the procedures.

Your oral care is important, so don’t just choose a dentist without doing your research. Ensure they have the training and experience to provide most of what you and your family need. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

One-Stop Family Dentistry in Santa Cruz

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4 Benefits of Choosing a One-Stop Family Dentist in Santa Cruz

Different dentists specialize in different services, such as cosmetic or pediatric care. If you have one dentist for every different type of service your family needs, that can easily become a hassle. Instead, consider finding a family dentist in Santa Cruz who can see everyone in your family.

Here are four benefits of choosing one dentist for your entire family:

1.) Grouped Appointments

When it’s just you, making appointments is no sweat. However, when you have a family, it can be annoying if you have a dental cleaning one day, and your child has one the following day. This is a common problem when everyone in your family has a different dentist. However, if you choose a family dentist who can see everyone in your family, you can schedule your appointments together so that you only have to make one trip and only miss a little bit of work.

2.) Familiarity

Another benefit of having one family dentist for everyone in your family is that it allows you to become more familiar with your dentist, and for your dentist to become more familiar with your family. Your dentist can see you and your family throughout your entire lives, which means they’ll know your history. Another reason it’s great to be familiar with your dentist is that it promotes less stress. When you see a new dentist, it can be stressful because you don’t know what to expect, and they don’t know you. However, when you have a family dentist who knows you and your family, you’ll feel more comfortable because it’s familiar.

3.) Services You Need

Of course, a family dentist provides your family with all the services they need. For children, this means treating teeth just as they emerge, offering sealants, and educating parents on caring for their child’s teeth at home. For all patients, a family dentist provides typical services like cleanings, exams and fillings. Older patients have a lot more to worry about, such as dry mouth, missing teeth, etc. However, a family dentist also has the experience to help with these problems associated with advanced age, such as offering dentures. Some family dentists even provide more advanced services, such as extractions and root canal therapy, so you won’t have to go see a specialist you don’t know for treatment.

4.) Cosmetic Services

Sometimes, however, normal services like cleanings and fillings aren’t enough. This is especially the case with adult patients. As an adult, your bad habits as a child or genetics may have given you a smile that you don’t love. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, there’s a procedure to fix just about any problem you have. You don’t necessarily have to find a new dentist for these procedures. Many family dentists have training and experience in providing many cosmetic services, such as veneers, bridges and dental implants.

You don’t need to see a handful of different dentists and make a dozen different appointments for your family. When you choose a family dentist in Santa Cruz that offers many services for the entire family, you get one-stop satisfaction. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Children’s Dentistry at Landmark Dental

Children's Dentistry Santa Cruz

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4 Facts You Need to Know About Your Child’s Primary Teeth

Tooth development begins early, and the habits your child learns now can affect them for life, which is why bringing your child to the dentist early on is incredibly important. Check out these four facts you need to know about your child’s primary teeth, so you can keep their mouth healthy.

The Teeth Start to Form Before Birth

Although it takes a while for your baby’s primary teeth to erupt, that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. Baby teeth actually start forming before birth and are hiding under the gum line. In fact, primary tooth buds can be discerned by only eight weeks after conception. By twenty weeks into pregnancy, even the permanent tooth buds start to form. This is why it is incredibly important to start taking care of your child’s teeth during pregnancy by eating healthy foods and taking prenatal supplements. Failing to do so can affect your child’s early tooth development (even of permanent teeth), which can negatively impact their oral health for life.

Baby Teeth Are Vulnerable to Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Just like adults, babies have to worry about tooth decay. Of course, for your baby, it’s up to you to ensure this doesn’t happen. One type of decay babies are prone to is baby bottle tooth decay. This type of tooth decay occurs from high exposure to liquids with sugar. This doesn’t only mean soda or high-sugar juices. Even the sugar in breast milk and formula can cause baby bottle tooth decay. Generally, your child is at risk for baby bottle tooth decay if you put your baby to bed or for a nap with a bottle filled with something other than water. The sugary liquid has a lot of time to pool in the mouth around the teeth and cause damage.

Primary Teeth Make Eating and Talking Easier

If you’ve ever had missing teeth, you know that it can make eating and talking difficult. The same goes for your child. Primary teeth will eventually fall out, but until they are replaced with permanent teeth, your child needs healthy baby teeth to eat and talk. If major decay causes the teeth to need to be removed, this can make it hard for your child to eat properly, which could lead to many other problems, such as malnutrition. Also, without the right amount of teeth, your child may not learn how to speak properly.

They Help Ensure Permanent Teeth Are Healthy

Primary teeth aren’t just important for now, however. They can also play a role in the health of your child’s permanent teeth. Primary teeth are place holders. They give a path for permanent teeth to grow. If the teeth are lost, the permanent teeth may not be able to grow in properly, and your child will need help from an orthodontist. Another reason baby teeth are important for the future is that having healthy baby teeth allows the jaw bone and jaw muscles to develop properly. If the bone and muscles can’t develop properly because of missing baby teeth, it can make permanent teeth less durable.

Dental health is important for everyone, and good dental habits should begin before birth. As a parent, you need to keep your child’s primary teeth healthy, which will impact them for life. For more information about children’s dentistry, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Why Do Root Canals Get a Bad Rap?

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3 Questions That Will Uncover the Truth About Root Canal Therapy’s Bad Rap

Root canal therapy: the term can cause anyone’s stress to rise, but that isn’t fair to the procedure. Root canal therapy is a fantastic procedure that saves teeth. Unfortunately, it has been given a bad rap. If your dentist has said you need root canal therapy, and you are nervous, check out these three questions that will uncover the truth.

Why Is a Root Canal Therapy Necessary?

Just like any part of your body, your teeth can become infected. This usually occurs when severe decay has reached the pulp of the tooth and causes an abscess. You can’t simply take a dose of antibiotics to fight this infection because the infection will keep coming back.

There are only two ways to treat a tooth abscess. Root canal therapy is one method to solve the infection. The process involves removing the affected pulp (nerves/blood vessels) and removing the battering that may be in this area. Without root canal therapy, the only other way to treat a tooth infection is to have the tooth extracted. That’s why root canal therapy is so great. It saves your tooth.

Is Root Canal Therapy Painful?

During root canal therapy, the tooth is completely numb by local anesthetics , so even though the procedure affects your tooth pulp (which contains vulnerable nerves), you shouldn’t feel anything. After the procedure, the area around the tooth may feel a little tender, but your dentist will probably prescribe pain medications or suggest over-the-counter pain medications you should take.

If you are particularly nervous about the procedure, the dentist can also use sedation options to relive your stress and anxiety. Sedation options like inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation let you feel at peace during the procedure. You’ll be calm but aware of what is happening and able to respond to the dentist.

So Why Do People Fear Root Canal Therapy?

If root canal therapy doesn’t hurt, why do people get so nervous when they hear they need the procedure? People constantly associate root canal therapy with pain, and it’s most likely because many people who need root canal therapy are already in severe pain. A tooth abscess puts pressure directly on your tooth nerves, which can cause pain that keeps you up at night.

Somehow, people have started to associate this pain with the root canal procedure. Of course, if you are suffering from a tooth infection, you should look forward to root canal therapy. Even prescription strength pain medications aren’t always enough to alleviate the pain of a tooth infection, but root canal therapy will get rid of the infection and the pressure, reducing the pain.

Root canal therapy shouldn’t be a source of fear or anxiety because the procedure isn’t painful. It’s designed to alleviate your pain. If you have an infection, don’t allow your fear to control you. For more information about root canal therapy, contact Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Sedation Dentistry in Santa Cruz

child dentist treat boy teeth under sedation with dental curing ultraviolet light equipment

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Understanding Sedation Dentistry

Going to the dentist makes many people nervous. A single painful moment as a child or simply the sound of the drill can cause stress, but sedation dentistry helps to put patients at easy. With sedation, you can be relaxed during your procedure. If you’re curious about sedation dentistry, check out the following four facts.

There Are Different Levels of Sedation

There are three common methods of sedation: inhalation, oral and IV conscious. Inhalation sedation uses nitrous oxide to keep you calm. During the procedure, you’ll wear a gas mask over your nose, which allows you to inhale a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen. This form of sedation is considered minimal. Oral sedation requires you to take a pill about an hour before your appointment. Depending on the dosage, this type of sedation can be minimal or moderate. The last form is IV Conscious sedation and it is considered a moderate level of sedation. With IV conscious sedation, medication is given intravenously.

You May Need a Ride Home

The benefit of nitrous oxide is that your body doesn’t metabolize it. As soon as the gas is turned off and your system is flushed with oxygen, the nitrous oxide is out of your system. This means that you can drive yourself to and from the appointment. If you choose oral sedation, you may be drowsy on your way to and from the dentist, so you’ll need a ride. IV conscious sedation will also make you drowsy, so you’ll need a ride home.

Sedation Makes You Relaxed

Sedation isn’t designed to make you fall asleep or to be completely “out of it.” Sedation is simply designed to make you relaxed during your treatment. You will still be aware of what is happening, and you’ll still be able to comply with instructions from the dentist. However, the sedation reduces or eliminates the anxiety you feel during the procedure. Depending on your level of sedation, however, you may actually fall asleep during the procedure, but you can be easily woken by the dentist if necessary.

You May Forget Your Appointment

Although you will be conscious during the procedure (unless you fall asleep) and aware of what is happening, a side effect of sedation is amnesia. So you probably won’t be able to remember every moment of your treatment. In fact, you may forget most of it. This is another reason sedation dentistry is great. No one wants to remember every detail of a moment that made them stressed and anxious.

If you get nervous about going to the dentist, sedation can make you forget the visit, so you don’t keep thinking about it. Without sedation, you may recall the stress and discomfort you felt during the visit, which can exacerbate your anxiety for future visits.

Sedation dentistry is revolutionizing dentistry because it allows people who are usually too nervous and stressed to visit the dentist to seek dental treatment. You can get the treatments you need to have a beautiful smile without feeling anxious. For more information about sedation dentistry, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

 

4 Reasons You Need to Consider Dental Implants for Your Missing Teeth

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Missing teeth can affect your self-esteem as well as make it difficult to eat and speak. If you have missing teeth, you may be considering replacement options. However, if you haven’t considered dental implants, you should. Check out these four reasons dental implants can be an excellent option to replace your missing teeth.

Implants Are the Most Durable Replacement Option

Implants are incredibly durable. In fact, they are almost as strong as your natural teeth. Natural teeth are held in your jaw with strong ligaments. Titanium dental implants are held in your jaw via a process known as osseointegration. During this process, the bone grows around the threads and surface coating of the implant. As a result, the dental implant can function like a natural tooth. Neither dentures nor dental bridges can match this hold because dentures simply sit on the top of your gums, and dental bridges use other teeth as anchors instead of the jawbone.

They Don’t Harm Existing Healthy Teeth

Another advantage of dental implants is that they don’t affect any of your existing healthy teeth. Patients who have partial dentures may experience some problems as the metal or plastic from the partial denture rubs or hits healthy teeth. This can scratch enamel or cause chips. Dental bridges rely on surrounding teeth to act as anchors. However, for the bridge to fit properly, the surrounding teeth must be filed down. This process is irreversible, and these teeth will always need crowns to protect them. Implants only interact with your existing teeth as much as natural teeth do.

Dental Implants Can’t Decay

If you are prone to tooth decay, there’s good news. Implants can’t decay. On the other hand, you may experience some decay with a dental bridge. If you fail to properly keep your gum line or under the bridge clean, which requires special floss, bacteria can cause decay at the gum line. Implants, however, aren’t immune to other problems. You still need to take good care of the implant or you may develop gum disease around the implant. This can cause the implant to fail. If you do take good care of your dental implant, however, it may last you the rest of your life.

Implants Can Be Used to Replace One or Several Missing Teeth

Implants are a great option no matter how many missing teeth you have. If you have one or two, a single dental implant is perfect. It simply slips right in between your healthy teeth. If you have a few teeth in a row missing, an implant-supported bridge may be a better option. An implant-supported bridge is much like a normal bridge, but it uses implants to support the bridge instead of teeth. If all of your teeth are missing, you can even get implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures can be either removable or fixed and they snap into place, so they won’t move or slip when you talk and eat.

You don’t have to live with missing teeth or a smile you don’t love. There are many options to replace missing teeth, and dental implants are a durable, excellent option. For your information about dental implants, contact Landmark Dental Group in Santa Cruz today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

Veneers: A Second Chance at a New, Beautiful Smile

Veneers

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Having a beautiful smile has become increasingly important. Unfortunately, genetics and bad oral habits can make you unhappy with your smile. Luckily, you aren’t stuck with the smile you have. Cosmetic dentistry can craft beautiful smiles, and one popular cosmetic procedure that fixes many problems is veneers. If you are curious about veneers, check out these important facts.

Veneers Can Fix Minor to Moderate Misalignment

If you have minor to moderate overlapping, gapping or other misalignment issues with your teeth, don’t assume braces are your only option. Veneers can also fix these misalignment concerns. Braces straighten your teeth by physically moving them, but veneers can make your teeth look straight. They won’t actually move, but the dentist will shape your teeth, so when the veneers are placed, your teeth will look straight. The benefit of this is that you don’t have to worry about your teeth moving to their old position, which sometimes happens with braces.

They Can Create a Flawless Finish

If your teeth have stains that are resistant to whitening, chips or cracks — or uneven in length — veneers can fix those problems too. This gives your teeth a flawless finish. The veneer sits on the surface of your teeth, so it will hide any surface defects, such as cracks. If you have teeth that are uneven in length, the veneers will also make your teeth look longer or shorter, depending on your needs. Plus, as a final benefit, porcelain veneers have the same translucent look natural teeth have, so they will look real.

They’ll Help Protect Some of Your Teeth

Your teeth are protected by enamel, but when that enamel becomes weak from bacteria and acid, it can lead to decay. Veneers are like super enamel, which make them an excellent solution if your enamel has already weakened. With veneers, the front surface of your teeth are well protected from decay. Of course, the backs of your teeth and your gum line are still susceptible to decay, and severe decay could compromise the veneers, so keep your teeth clean.

They Are Not Reversible

Veneers are a non-reversible procedure. This is because the dentist must remove a portion of the surface of your teeth to fit the veneers. If you were to have the veneers removed at some point, your tooth would be extremely prone to decay. On the bright side, however, less tooth structure must be removed to fit veneers than porcelain crowns, so there is less risk of causing damage to the pulp.

Veneers Are Best on Healthy Teeth

If you want to get veneers, it’s best if you have somewhat healthy teeth. You can have some decay and chips, but your teeth should still be strong. This is because veneers don’t strengthen teeth. If your teeth are weak, you may only be wasting your money. If you do have teeth with lots of big fillings or decay, you may want to ask your dentist about porcelain crowns. They have many of the same benefits as veneers, such as being able to give you a perfect smile, but they also strengthen teeth.

Don’t let your smile affect your confidence a moment longer. Just because you have some minor issues, it doesn’t mean you have to accept them. For more information about veneers or other cosmetic dental procedures, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz

5 Myths About Children’s Dentistry

5 Myths About Children’s Dentistry

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As a parent, you’re responsible for your child’s health, including their oral health. Knowing the right way to care for your child’s teeth can be confusing, but it’s important to be able to separate fact from fiction. Check out these five myths about children’s dentistry and learn the truth for yourself.

Myth #1: Primary Teeth Aren’t Important

Primary teeth are temporary and gone by about the age of 12, but they play an important role in your child’s oral health. If your child’s primary teeth decay, this can impact the health of permanent teeth. With a lot of plaque and bacteria sitting on the teeth and gums, it’s possible that permanent teeth can start to rot as soon as they erupt. Plus, if your child’s teeth have to be removed, it can make it difficult for permanent teeth to emerge properly because primary teeth are like guide markers for permanent teeth.

Myth #2: Children Don’t Need to See the Dentist Until They Are Older

It may not seem like a big deal to take your child to the dentist when they only have a couple of teeth, but it is. Don’t wait until your child has all their primary teeth, starts to develop permanent teeth or has a problem. Your child should be seen by a dentist for the first time once the first tooth erupts (but no later than the first birthday). It may seem silly to treat one tooth, but the dentist can determine if there are problems on the horizon, as well as teach you important at-home care.

Myth #3: Children Should Brush Their Own Teeth

This myth is partially true. Once your child is about seven years old (depending on their maturity), you should allow them to brush their own teeth. Until then, you should brush your child’s teeth for them. Once your child is old enough to start brushing their own teeth, don’t leave them alone. They may still not be able to thoroughly brush and remove all plaque and bacteria. You should continue to supervise them during brushing for a few years or until the permanent teeth are all erupted.

Myth #4: You Should Make Your Child Brush Directly After Eating

Brushing right after eating may seem like a good idea because it will immediately get rid of food particles and plaque, but this isn’t good for anyone, especially after consuming acidic foods or beverages, such as fruits, juices and soda. The acid in these foods and beverages soften the enamel. The harsh action of brushing can remove some of the enamel. Overtime, this can lead to serious problems. Have your child wait at least an hour before brushing after eating. You can have them rinse their mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum directly after meals.

Myth #5: Only Pediatric Dentists Can Treat Children

There are dentists called pediatric dentists who specialize in treating children’s teeth. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to take your child to a pediatric dentist. Family dentists are also perfectly capable of treating most children for most oral concerns. The benefit of choosing a family dentists is that your child can continue to see them as they grow, so they can develop a relationship that makes them feel more comfortable and confident at the dentist.

Your child’s oral health is important; it’s your job to ensure their smile is cared for properly at this young age. If you would like more information regarding children’s dentistry options, contact Landmark Dental Group today and start a conversation about your child’s oral health.

Landmark Dental Group Contact | Santa Cruz