Apex Dental provides the convenience of a one-stop dentist office for families in Northborough, MA. We offer general dental services tailored to the unique stages of oral development. Family dentistry helps build strong, positive patient-doctor relationships. Patients who enjoy visiting the dentist, visit more often and enjoy a more stable, healthy smile.
Good habits start early. When it comes to children’s dental health, it is important to establish routines early. This should include daily brushing and flossing, combined with regular professional dental cleanings.
Dr. Robert Gauthier provides dental care for the whole family including pediatric dentistry for children starting at age three. Children younger than three may be seen by special appointment or for emergency care.
As your child grows, their oral health needs change. Our staff will monitor the oral development of young patients to be sure that a stable, healthy bite is supporting normal speech development and that there are no signs of musculoskeletal concerns related to the jaw.
A child’s dental health is important to their overall long-term health. If you have questions about pediatric dentistry please call (508) 506-1691 our dental care team. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to answer questions about your child’s oral health during your routine dental exam.
Kid-Friendly Northborough Dental Office
It is not uncommon for children to experience anxiety and fear when visiting the dentist. One of the best ways to combat this fear is to not be anxious yourself. Children learn by example and can detect the emotions and anxiety of their parents or caretakers. We want to eliminate the possibility of them developing dental fear and avoiding the dentist office in the future.
Our Apex dentists recommend that parents bring their children to their dental checkups to help normalize visiting the dentist. By the time your child is ready to sit in the chair themselves, they will be more likely to feel confident and safe. Our staff works to create a welcoming, comfortable environment that your child will enjoy coming into. Making dentist visits enjoyable relieves stress for your child, and for you.
Family Dentistry
The American Academy of Pediatrics has made children’s oral health a priority. Early childhood caries (cavities) are the number one chronic disease among children. For this reason, it is important to get your child to the dentist early and continue with a regular routine of visits.
Tooth decay can be prevented with good at-home oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. Our regular dental check-ups include a thorough oral exam, tracking of your child’s development, and professional teeth cleaning. During the dental cleaning, our hygienist will remove bacteria, plaque, and tartar from the teeth and gums.
We can provide fluoride treatments and place sealants, when necessary, to help protect teeth. In between your child’s visits, parents can do many things to ensure the health of their children’s teeth:
- Brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (over age 2)
- Flossing once a day
- Limiting sugary drinks and beverages
- Following recommended guidelines for nursing, bottle and sippy cup use
Our staff will take the time to educate the child and the parents about the importance of at-home care and other important topics such as thumb sucking, orthodontics, and wisdom teeth.
Quality, Long-Term Care
Children have mouths that are always growing and changing. This makes it especially important for them to go to the dentist regularly. Monitoring the development of their mouths allows us to provide the best treatment plans going forward. Many tweens and teens need some sort of orthodontic intervention to ensure a healthy smile in the future. While we can provide treatment with Invisalign, we’ll refer you to an orthodontist for more severe cases.
Regular dental visits allow us to see the changes that have happened since the last visit. Our skills and training allow us to notice early warning signs of problems that you may not notice on your own. This allows us to provide you with earlier treatment that’s less invasive and less expensive. Early intervention is always the best option for dental problems.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Families may have several questions about how our dental care works, including:
When should my child begin to visit the dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and most dentists recommend that children begin visiting the dentist when their first tooth begins to emerge. Establishing a patient-dentist relationship from an early age helps to set your child up for lifelong oral health.
Can children develop gum disease?
Yes. Children can develop gum disease without proper oral hygiene and dental health care. Routine dental health exams, oral health education, and daily brushing and flossing can help prevent the development of gum disease.
How do dental sealants work?
A dental sealant is a protective shield that adheres to your child’s back molars to prevent tooth decay for years to come. The process involves curing a thin coating of material with a special light to their teeth. It is safe and effective for all ages.
Receive Family Dental Care Today
Contact Apex Dental for an appointment by calling (508) 506-1691. You can also schedule a dental consultation with Dr. Gauthier online.