Our family dentist office offers the convenience of bring your whole family for dental care in one location. Our dentist in Tulsa, OK, provides a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. No matter how old you are or what procedures you need, we hope you’ll feel comfortable here. Dr. Henrich provides comprehensive dental care for all stages of oral health.
Early Dental Care: Building A Positive Experience
Dr. Henrich encourages parents to bring their children in as early as age 1, or at the sign of the first emerging tooth. Beginning family dental care at an early age can help your child become accustomed to the sounds and sights of being at the dentist. Our entire dental care team will help your child feel at ease. We will build a life-long, positive patient-dentist relationship with you and your child.
Early life dental care helps Dr. Henrich track the development of your child’s oral health. Having regular check-ups every 6 months during childhood helps detect and treat any oral health issues early on. This proactive approach allows us to use conservative treatment methods. During these early visits we screen for tooth decay, gum disease, oral signs of larger health concerns and structural bite problems.
We will also discuss and address any myofunctional habits. These habits include thumb sucking, which can negatively affect your child’s overall oral development.
Parents play an important role in their child’s oral health. For example, getting involved early on can set a good example. Your own oral hygiene can lay a strong foundation for a lifetime of excellent dental health.
Our dental advice to both parents and children can make them feel in control of their own oral health. We can give tips and tricks to make brushing a fun twice daily activity. We also help to educate the whole family on how important flossing is to overall health.
A lot of children feel anxiety when they visit the dentist. So, we do everything we can to ensure they leave with a positive experience that they can be happy about.
Childhood Tooth Decay
Cavities affect a staggering number of young children. Tooth decay in children can lead to a lifetime of oral health issues and compromise their natural smile. Children with early development of tooth decay may be more susceptible to gum disease and even tooth loss.
Consistent at home oral hygiene is essential for patients of all ages starting as soon as the teeth being to emerge. Six month check ups and professional dental cleanings also help to keep gums and teeth in good health.
Dr. Henrich provides dental sealant treatments when appropriate to help prevent cavities. Sealants are a painless and quick way to help deter the development of tooth decay. Our dentist will directly paint the sealant onto hard-to-reach surfaces and in the cusps of back molars. Those are the areas that are commonly subject to decay.
We also offer cosmetic white dental fillings for the treatment of tooth decay. We custom color-match the dental fillings so that they blend seamlessly with your child’s natural smile. They will leave with a beautiful and lasting result.
Family Dentistry FAQs
How old should children begin to see the dentist?
We recommended that your child sees the dentist around their first birthday, or 6 months after their first tooth comes in. Young children need to see their dentist early, and keep regular checkups. Our dentist will make sure their jaw and teeth are inline, and that they are keeping up with their oral hygiene.
Are thumb-sucking and pacifier habits bad for a child’s teeth?
Sometimes aggressive use of a pacifier or sucking thumbs can cause issues with baby teeth. A child sucking on their thumb and a child sucking on a pacifier are the same issue. The main problematic part of this behavior is the germs that may be entering the child’s mouth. Making sure to regularly clean pacifiers is a good way to limit any problems from thumb sucking behaviors.
What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
A family dentist’s patients are primarily parents and children. A family dentist offers a wide range of general dental services, and restorative and cosmetic dentistry procedures. Our family dentist provides dental care to patients of all ages, from children to adults and seniors.
Pediatric dentists, similar to pediatric doctors, are solely responsible for the oral health of children. They have the same level of dental training, but pediatric dentists specialize in working only with children.
Is pediatric dentistry a specialty?
Pediatric dentists specialize in aiding youth in their oral health habits. They also help them through any dental issues that they may encounter throughout adolescence. They are especially good with children, and infants.
Adults do not deal with some issues that children face with their oral health. Pediatric dentists specialize in those types of issues to ensure that children receive age-appropriate and proper oral care.
Visit us for Dental Services for the Entire Family
Schedule a family dental exam today. Henrich Dental is a welcoming, patient-focused and experienced dental office for the whole family. We aim to establish long-term relationships with our patients and their families. We cater to the unique dental needs of each of your family members.
Contact Henrich Dental to learn more about our comprehensive and personalized dental care near you. You can call our office or request an appointment online anytime.