Children’s Dentist Keeping Young Ann Arbor Smiles Healthy
A Great Starting Point for Growing Smiles
Children need to visit their local dentist just as often as adults do (twice each year) for ongoing oral health care. In fact, it may be MORE important because establishing a positive relationship with a dental team from a young age can influence your outlook on dentistry for many years to come! Dr. Dina Cocco and the rest of our staff members are as friendly as they come, promoting comfort and kindness every step of the way through your loved one’s care. We love giving children new reasons to smile, and we hope you’ll bring the whole family to visit us. Contact our Ann Arbor, MI, location today to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Cocco Dental for Children’s Dentistry?
- Dentist Serving Ann Arbor Patients Since 1990
- Dental Team Creates a Fun, Child-Friendly Environment
- Affordable Payment Options Available
What Exactly is Children’s Dentistry?
At every stage of your child’s growth – from the very first baby tooth to the arrival of their wisdom teeth – our team will personalize our approach to fit their needs, comfort level, and emotional maturity. We’ll start slowly by providing very gentle checkups before progressing to cleanings and other services designed to prevent problems as they grow. For instance, dental sealants and fluoride treatment are a big part of children’s dentistry, as they help growing smiles stay safe from decay and become stronger.
When it comes to helping your child feel comfortable here in our Ann Arbor office, it’s important to stay positive about the experience. Maybe let them tag along on an older sibling’s visit so that they see there’s nothing to be afraid of, or bring along a favorite toy that they can hold onto when they’re nervous. Meanwhile, our team will do everything we can to make them smile and laugh from the start of their appointment to the end. We look forward to building a warm and trusting relationship with your son or daughter that we hope will last for years to come!
How Often Should My Child Visit the Dentist?
You should expect to bring your child in for a standard dental checkup and cleaning every six months, unless otherwise instructed. These biannual visits allow Dr. Cocco and our team to look for early signs of cavities and dental damage while also monitoring tooth eruption and bite alignment. We maintain a caring, gentle, and compassionate approach so that your child and other young patients feel comfortable having their teeth cleaned, and as they learn to better care for their oral health and hygiene.
How Can I Protect My Child’s Teeth?
Your child’s back teeth – premolars and molars – are often the hardest to reach when brushing, so they remain vulnerable to food debris and bacterial buildup because of their chewing surfaces. These pits and grooves need extra protection, which is why Dr. Cocco offers dental sealants. As thin coatings that are applied to the surfaces of these teeth, dental sealants can create a barrier that shields tooth enamel from possible cavities for up to 10 years.
Learn More About Dental Sealants
How Can My Child’s Teeth Be Strengthened?
If your child is at risk for cavities, it can be helpful to allow our team to apply fluoride treatment to their teeth during a regular checkup and cleaning appointment. Fluoride is a natural mineral commonly found in tap water, soil, various foods, and toothpaste. It can strengthen tooth enamel through remineralization and combat tooth decay, and it can be applied in minutes, leaving teeth better protected between appointments.
Learn More About Fluoride Treatment
What is an Oral Cancer Screening?
Although it is rare for a child to develop oral cancer, it is not impossible, which is why our team performs oral cancer screening during six-month visits. As a completely painless and efficient service, we provide a comprehensive examination by Dr. Cocco of your child’s or teen’s teeth, lips, gums, throat, neck, head, and tongue to determine whether any abnormalities exist. If so, she will recommend further treatment by a qualified physician to ensure timely care.
How Can I Protect My Child’s Smile While Playing Sports?
Regardless of whether your avid athlete enjoys playing baseball, basketball, or football, or likes being physically active through running, hiking, or bicycling, it’s important that they wear proper mouth protection. With a custom-made athletic mouthguard, a cushioned barrier can be the difference between staying in the game and leaving early to visit the emergency dentist’s office. Absorbing the impact of a hard hit or an unexpected fall makes these mouthguards highly effective at keeping smiles safe and intact.