Children’s Dentistry – Lincoln, NE
Friendly Care for Your Favorite Growing Smile
At Pioneer Greens Dentistry, we’re proud to serve Lincoln’s littlest smiles! We’re happy to provide a warm, welcoming environment where we can take care of your children’s teeth and teach them about their oral health. Your child’s smile is precious, and we know that as a parent, you want to do everything you can to take care of it with comprehensive children's dentistry in Lincoln, NE. One of the best things you can do is take them to see a dentist from an early age. It’s a great way to give their smile a strong start, and it will show them how important it is for them to take care of their teeth.
Of course, this brings up questions such as, “When should I take my child to the dentist near me for the first time?” and, “How can I take care of my child’s teeth at home?” Dr. Shirk, Dr. Claire, and Dr. Chris are happy to answer all of these questions and more.
Why Choose Pioneer Greens Dentistry for Children’s Dentistry?
- We Treat Children Of All Ages
- State-of-the-Art Facility
- Happy to Work with Dental Insurance
Your Child’s First Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommends that you should bring your child in for their first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday at the latest.
For our youngest patients (aged 1 to 3), we like to do something called a happy visit for their first time with us. This appointment is more about helping them become comfortable in our dental office than actually taking care of their teeth, and it will make future appointments much easier. We will introduce them to the entire team and simply allow them time to acclimate to the new sights and sounds. You’ll be with them the entire time, and we will always answer any questions they have. Then, we will have a discussion with you about your child’s oral health, medical history, and any observations you’ve made about their teeth.
If they feel comfortable, we can perform a short oral exam and cleaning. We will check any teeth they have and their gums, and then discuss with them how to take care of their smile at home, as well as how you can start to teach them healthy habits (like how to brush on their own and which foods are bad for their teeth).
Of course, with each and every treatment, we will always use a gentle touch. We understand that a dental office can be quite an intimidating place for them, which is why we will work to make sure they have a positive experience from their very first visit.
Children’s Cleanings & Dental Checkups
Children can face many of the same dental problems that adults do, such as tooth decay and gum disease, which is why we provide basic and essential preventive services such as dental cleanings, exams, and X-rays. At these routine appointments, one of our team members will gently cleanse their teeth and gums of plaque and bacteria, and then one of the dentists will check their mouth for any signs of small problems. This will help us catch issues early and prevent little problems from becoming big headaches in the future.
Dental Sealants
We also offer child-specific treatments such as dental sealants. This is a simple procedure where we will apply a thin, clear layer of composite resin to their teeth to protect them from the accumulation of plaque and bacteria. Most often, we only use them for the back teeth because these are the ones children miss most often while they are still learning how to brush.
Frenectomies/Lip & Tongue-Tie
If your child has difficulty moving their lips or tongue, it may be because of a lip or tongue-tie. This occurs when a small band of tissue connected to these parts of the mouth (called a frenulum) is so thick or short that it inhibits function, making it challenging for a child to eat, speak, or even breathe normally. Fortunately, with just a few minutes and a soft tissue laser, we can quickly and painlessly snip or loosen this tissue, all with minimal to no bleeding.
Pulp Therapy
Most dental infections only damage the outer enamel of a tooth, but sometimes, bacteria are able to reach the inner portion of a tooth and harm the sensitive nerve. This is called the pulp, and problems with it can cause quite a toothache. If your child is suffering from dental pain due to this kind of problem, we can actually remove this pulp and fill the tooth to provide complete relief and ensure the tooth looks and functions normally.
Athletic Mouthguards
If your little one likes to play sports, we can provide them with a completely custom-made athletic mouthguard to ensure their growing smile is always protected. Our mouthguards are much more comfortable and secure compared to anything you’ll find at the store, meaning your child is more likely to actually use it! In addition to defending the teeth, custom mouthguards have also been shown to dramatically reduce an athlete’s risk of sustaining a concussion.