Children's Center for Dentistry

GREGORY DIETZ DMD

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(309) 827-5437

Pediatric Dentistry

314 Susan Dr., Normal, IL 61761

GREGORY DIETZ DMD and ELISA ROTH DMD

Children's Center for Dentistry > Services > Preventive Care for Children

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Preventive Care for Children

Preventive dentistry is the most important part of any child’s dental care program. Without appropriate preventive examinations, cleanings, and treatments, cavities and decay can quickly become a problem, marring a beautiful smile and setting up your child for a lifetime of dental challenges.

Your child’s preventive care program doesn’t have to be complicated. Good home care with a regular brushing and flossing routine and twice yearly visits at the Children's Center for Dentistry in Normal will prevent most problems. If we are concerned about your child’s dental development, our doctors will discuss additional preventive treatments like topical fluoride varnish and dental sealants with you.

Your Child’s Preventive Examinations

Just like when you take your child to a pediatrician every year for a well-child check-up, it’s important to also bring your child to a dentist who is trained in children’s dentistry for regular visits to make sure that everything is going well, look for any potential problems, and discuss your concerns with you.

At your child’s examination, we will take x-rays to check the development of both the baby and the permanent teeth to make sure everything is progressing as it should, look for any signs of cavities, and check for signs of gum disease (yes, kids can get gum disease too!), and any other dental problems.

We’ll discuss the way your child’s teeth are coming in and also work with you to determine whether orthodontic treatment is right for your child.

Children’s Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings are important for protecting your child’s teeth and preventing cavities, decay, and gum disease. Kids are awesome, but brushing their teeth is often challenging, and it can be difficult to reach every bit of plaque. Over time, the plaque that is left on the teeth hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with professional dental instruments.

Our dental team members are skilled at working with children and delivering cleanings that are both thorough and gentle. Kids who come to our office love to visit with our staff and learn a lot about how to take care of their teeth.

Preventive Dental Treatments

Studies have shown that kids who drink fluoridated water get fewer cavities than children who drink unfluoridated or filtered water. The water in our area is fluoridated, but if your family drinks bottled or filtered water, your child might not be getting a sufficient amount of fluoride. At your appointment, our doctors will discuss your family’s water habits with you and why topical fluoride varnish is beneficial for kids.

Another preventive treatment we recommend for some of our patients is dental sealants. A sealant is a thin layer of plastic that is painted onto the surface of the teeth and then cured to create a protective barrier between the surface of the tooth and bacteria and acid.

When sealants are deemed helpful, they are often placed on the back teeth, which are full of nooks and crannies where food can get stuck. Also, most kids (and a lot of adults!) have difficulties getting these areas on the teeth completely clean. While not every child needs sealants, most children will benefit from them.

If our doctors feel that sealants are a good option for your child, he will discuss this with you at your child’s appointment.

Ready to schedule a preventive exam and cleaning for your child? Call the Children's Center for Dentistry at 309-827-KIDS(5437) today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my child need fluoride?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps remineralize the outside layer of our teeth. Use of fluoride for prevention and control of cavities has been shown to be both SAFE and HIGHLY EFFECTIVE. As part of your child's examination, we'll discuss your child's fluoride exposure. Studies have proven that topical fluoride varnishes professionally applied two times per year can significantly decrease your child's chances of getting cavities.

How can I prevent my child from getting tooth decay?

By following these recommendations, you can reduce the risk of your child developing cavities and tooth decay:

Before your baby's teeth come in, gently wipe the gums with a damp cloth
After your baby's teeth come in, use a soft toothbrush and non-fluoride toothpaste to clean their teeth. As your child grows, encourage self-care until your child can brush independently.
Never allow your child to sleep with a bottle or food.
Graduate your child to regular cups (not sippy cups) as soon as possible, preferably by 18 months of age.
Avoid sweets and sticky foods.
Limit fruit juice to about 4 ounces per day and only serve it in a regular cup, not a bottle.
Visit the Children's Center for Dentistry for regular checkups and professional cleanings.

How do sealants work?

Sealants are thin plastic coverings that are "painted" on to your child's teeth and then cured. Once this easy, painless procedure is performed, the sealants can be expected to last for about five to six years.

The chewing surfaces of your child's teeth are full of indentations and grooves. While these grooves make it easier for your child to effectively chew food, they do have a tendency to trap food. Since kids aren't quite as coordinated as adults, it can be difficult for them to remove all the traces of food, plaque, and bacteria from these surfaces, making them a prime location for cavities.

The sealants create a barrier between the surface of your child's teeth and the food they are eating, preventing cavities from developing. They are colored to blend in with your child's teeth, and it is highly unlikely that anyone else will be able to see them.

When should I begin brushing my child's teeth?

Until your child's first tooth appears, a quick wipe with a damp washcloth will be all it takes to keep their gums healthy. Once the first tooth arrives, begin brushing using a soft baby toothbrush. At age 2, you can add a small smear of fluoridated toothpaste to the toothbrush and graduate to a pea-sized amount when your child turns 3. If your child is at high-risk for cavities, we'll discuss whether toothpaste should be introduced sooner.

You will need to supervise and assist with brushing until your child is about 8 years old. By this age, most kids have the coordination and the patience to brush their teeth independently (although you should still check in to make sure good habits are being followed). Brushing and flossing habits are a major part of the conversations we will have with you and your child during your examinations, and we will teach and help reinforce good brushing habits.

When should we begin using toothpaste?

For most children, we recommend adding a small smear of toothpaste onto the toothbrush at 2 years old, and then increasing to a pea-sized amount from age 3 on up. This helps to control the amount of toothpaste that a child swallows. While it's perfectly fine to swallow a little bit of fluoride, we want to help your child avoid swallowing a large amount of fluoride.

If your child appears to be at a higher risk for developing cavities, we will discuss whether toothpaste should be introduced earlier.

Meet Our Doctors:

Dr. Greg Dietz DMD
Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

A native of central Illinois, Dr. Greg graduated from Princeville High School before earning his Bachelors degree from the University of Illinois in 2003. He received his DMD in 2007 from Southern Illinois University School ...

Dr. Renee Dietz DMD

Dr. Renee is the newest addition to Children’s Center for Dentistry, but is certainly someone who is very familiar with our practice. She grew up in the small town of Nashville, IL, and graduated with ...