Lincoln, CA Family Dentistry – Pediatric Dentistry
Offering Quality Family Dentistry for Children & Adults
At our Lincoln, CA family dentistry office, we provide quality dental care for both adults and children in Placer County. Jaime M. Curtis, DDS, has been providing complete family dentistry in Lincoln since she established her practice in 2008. Our team believes in emphasizing preventative measures in dentistry and strives to offer comprehensive dental care throughout our patients' entire lives. Reinforcing proper oral health care during all aspects of treatment is an important component in our approach to family dentistry.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children see a dentist approximately six months after the emergence of the first primary tooth. Though this might seem early, biannual preventative dental appointments are imperative for excellent oral health.
We start taking appointments for children as young as one year old or as soon as their first tooth erupts. We recommend bringing in your child for a complete dental exam to check on several important factors: the condition of their teeth, development of their jaw joints, and position of their bite. Our Lincoln, CA family dentistry office serves patients of all ages including infants, toddlers, adolescents, adults, and elderly persons.
Our practice is focused on achieving optimum oral health. We strongly believe in educating our patients; education can be a valuable tool in the maintenance of teeth and the prevention of diseases. We highlight the importance of regular dental visits, brushing, and flossing, and we inform our patients on the links between a person’s oral and general health. We have included information and links on this page to help answer questions you may have about pediatric dentistry in Lincoln, CA.
Parents should bring their children to see our family dentist for the following reasons:
- To ask questions about new or ongoing issues.
- To discover how to begin a “no tears” oral care program in the home.
- To find out how to implement oral injury prevention strategies in the home.
- To find out whether the child is at risk for developing caries (cavities).
- To receive information about extinguishing unwanted oral habits (e.g., finger-sucking, etc.).
- To receive preventative treatments (fluorides and sealants).
- To receive reports about how the child’s teeth and jaws are growing and developing.
What does a family dentist do?
Family dentistry offices are calming, fun, and child-friendly. Dental phobias are often rooted in childhood, so it is essential that the child feel comfortable, safe, and trusting of the dentist from the outset.
Our family dentist focuses on several different forms of oral care:
Prevention – Tooth decay is the most prevalent childhood ailment. Fortunately, it is almost completely preventable. Aside from providing advice and guidance relating to home care, the family dentist can apply sealants and fluoride treatments to protect tooth enamel and minimize the risk of cavities.
Early detection – Examinations, X-rays, and computer modeling allow the family dentist to predict future oral problems. Examples include malocclusion (bad bite), attrition due to grinding (bruxism), and jaw irregularities. In some cases, optimal outcomes are best achieved by starting treatment early.
Treatment – Family dentists offer a wide range of treatments. Aside from preventative treatments (fluoride and sealant applications), the family dentist also performs pulp therapy and treats oral trauma. If primary teeth are lost too soon, space maintainers may be provided to ensure the teeth do not become misaligned.
Education – Education is a major part of any family practice. Not only can the family dentist help the child understand the importance of daily oral care, but parents can also get advice on toothpaste selection, diet, thumb-sucking cessation, and a wide range of related topics.
Updates – Family dentists are well informed about the latest advances in the dentistry field. For example, Xylitol (a naturally occurring sugar substitute) has recently been shown to protect young teeth against cavities, tooth decay, and harmful bacteria. Children who do not see the dentist regularly may miss out on both beneficial information and information about new diagnostic procedures.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment at our Lincoln, CA family dentistry office, please contact our office.