Dr. Kussman and her team understand the importance of good oral health for young children. We have specialized training in primary teeth and concentrate in protecting and restoring pediatric patients teeth.
We are committed to working with parents to ensure their children are taking good care of their teeth at home. During dental visits, we monitor their mouths for any problems so we can catch them early. We encourage children to not miss routine dental exams – They’re just as important for toddlers, tweens and teens as they are for adults. Even before your child’s permanent teeth arrive, it’s vital to take good care of your child’s baby teeth. Why? Because these teeth can affect the health of their permanent teeth.
Cavities and Fillings
Dental fillings are used to treat different dental problems like cavities and broken teeth. Teeth are usually filled with a material called composite resin, which is designed to look like natural teeth.
Emergency Dental Care
It is very important to be prepared in case your child has an emergency. Even though we wish that they wouldn’t, emergencies do happen. Being educated and knowing what to do in an emergency can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. You also need to know your dentist’s phone number. Our after hours Emergency # is (615) 517-2358.
You need to contact us right away if you are having an emergency! If we are not open, go to the nearest emergency center.
Oral Health Exams
We truly believe that regular dental examinations are important in order for your child to have good dental health. We start by doing a professional cleaning, removing all of the tartar and other buildup on your child’s teeth.
Dr. Kussman will then do a comprehensive exam and discuss any need for treatment. She examines each tooth and look for any signs of decay or potential problems.
Preventative Dentistry
We recommend routine dental cleanings for several reasons. When we perform a professional cleaning, we remove the buildup of plaque and tartar. We also clean the parts of your child’s teeth that are hard to reach, such as underneath the gums.
After a cleaning, we will polish your child’s teeth so that they shine! We apply a fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic coating painted on teeth. It attaches to your child’s teeth, smoothing the rough edges, depressions, and grooves that are typically found on teeth. It gives your child’s teeth a protective coating, helping to prevent tooth decay and cavities.
Sealants are usually done on the back molars since they are hard to reach and very irregular. Even if your child brushes and flosses properly, he or she may miss some areas. For this reason, sealants are a good way to protect your child’s teeth.
Fluoride Treatment
We believe that fluoride works well to strengthen children’s teeth. It also has been shown to help prevent tooth decay in people of all ages.
For this reason, the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Medical Association believe that topical fluoride is necessary for good oral health.