Preventive and Diagnostic Services

Capital Kids Dentistry provides preventive care that helps to head off dental issues before they arise. The goal of preventive care is to keep teeth and gums as healthy as possible. Preventive care ensures your child has a healthy mouth and teeth and can also help to lower the costs of dental care over the course of a lifetime. The mouth can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can affect the rest of the body, so it follows that good dental health can also lead to better overall health for your child too,

An oral evaluation is recommended every six (6) months to prevent cavities and other dental problems. During an oral evaluation, a thorough examination of the mouth, head, and neck is performed to detect abnormalities. During these visits, we also perform orthodontic screenings and will provide any necessary referrals when appropriate.

Dental cleanings twice a year help keep gums healthy and teeth cavity-free. A dental cleaning includes removal of tartar and plaque and polishing of the teeth to remove stains and prevent further buildup of plaque.

Fluoride is a natural substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent decay. Our office applies a professional topical fluoride at least twice a year. Fluoride reduces the prevalence of dental cavities, or caries and its efficacy has been proven in many randomized controlled studies. Fluoride treatments are administered at this office as an important component of pediatric dental treatment. The fluoride is applied to the teeth in a gel, foam, or varnish form.

Radiographs (x-rays) are a necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process. They can help identify certain cavities that might be missed and also help survey developing teeth, evaluate results of an injury, or plan for orthodontic treatment.  Dental problems that are found and treated early can help prevent more extensive dental care that can be more expensive and more uncomfortable for you child. 

According to established guidelines of the AAPD, we are committed to utilizing the lowest level of radiation to adequately diagnose your child’s dental condition.  With contemporary safeguards such as protective aprons, the amount of radiation received in a dental x-ray examinations is extremely small.  In fact, the radiographs represent a far smaller risk than an undetected and untreated dental problem. 

Our digital x-ray equipment restricts the beam to the area of interest, minimizing your child’s exposure to radiation and provides a minimal dose of radiation.  

**Information courtesy of AAPD

During a regular check-up, oral hygiene instructions are given to both patient and parent. Educating children and parents about proper brushing habits and flossing habits (to get the gunk out of the tight spaces between teeth) can reduce the risk of plaque and tartar build-up which can lead to cavities. Instructions include proper techniques for brushing, flossing, and using mouth rinses. In addition to hygiene instructions, our team will also discuss the role nutrition plays in dental health to help your child on the path to making smart eating choices!

Dental sealants are made of a safe resin material which is applied to the surfaces of teeth (commonly permanent molars) to prevent cavities. The sealant material fills in the crevices of a tooth and “seals” off the tooth from cavity-causing agents like food and plaque. The teeth are prepared for the sealant application and the sealant is painted directly onto the chewing surface of each tooth and then hardens. Sealants are applied in one visit.