Family Dentistry Galveston, TX

Are you looking for a dentist that can treat your whole family? We’re here to help. At Broadway Dental, we help parents schedule time for themselves and their children to fit routine dental care into their day. Family dentistry services in our Galveston, TX, dental office can support a good at-home oral hygiene routine. 

Dental care is essential for patients at any age. We recommend regular dental visits for preventative care. Our office can also provide restorative and cosmetic treatments for adults as they encounter changes in their teeth and gums. 

Family Dentist in Galveston, TX

At-Home Oral Hygiene for Children

Early dental care has a big impact on your child’s development. Problems like cavities and crooked teeth impact how permanent teeth grow. A poor oral hygiene routine can create lasting dental problems for your child.

Before the first teeth emerge, wipe your child’s gums with a clean cloth. Gently wiping the gums helps remove leftover food and bacteria from the mouth. Then, when the first tooth grows, use an infant toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of kid’s toothpaste to clean the tooth.

When it’s time for your child to begin brushing and flossing independently, make sure you supervise them. Ensure your child flosses between each tooth before brushing. Then, they should brush their teeth, gums, and tongue for about two minutes twice daily.

Family Dentistry in Galveston, TX

Bringing children to our office for routine dental cleanings and examinations is essential as teeth grow and develop. During these cleanings, we will first look for signs of cavities. Dental cavities are holes that form in the teeth due to tooth decay.

Children are more likely to develop cavities because of diet and oral hygiene. Sugary foods and drinks attract decay-causing bacteria. Additionally, when children begin brushing and flossing independently, they may miss areas of the mouth where harmful bacteria can grow.

Regular dental cleanings help remove these bacteria. We can also provide recommendations for your child to help them improve oral hygiene. 

After we perform cleanings, we can recommend supplemental treatments, including sealants and fluoride treatment. These treatments strengthen teeth and help prevent cavities: 

Dental Sealants

Sealants are a great way to protect against tooth decay and cavities on your back teeth (molars). These teeth are most vulnerable to cavities and decay because they are used in chewing and are the most difficult to reach and clean.

Molars first come in at around 5-7 years of age, with a second set between the ages of 11-14. We recommend sealants when the molars first come in to protect them early.

To place a sealant, we apply an adhesive to the teeth. Then, we place the sealant over the adhesive and paint a liquid onto the tooth. The liquid then hardens, creating a barrier between your tooth and any plaque, food particles, and bacteria. Sealants last for about ten years and can be reapplied if necessary.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that helps strengthen the tooth enamel. After a dental cleaning, we can provide fluoride treatment. We can paint a fluoride varnish evenly to each tooth.

After we apply the fluoride, we recommend waiting 30 minutes before you eat or drink. This will ensure that fluoride penetrates the tooth enamel. This fluoride treatment is safe for patients of all ages.

What are Tongue and Lip-Tie?

Tongue-tie occurs when a thin band of tissue tethers the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. Lip-tie is a similar problem. However, lip-tie occurs when a thin band of tissue connects the inside of the lips to the gums. Tongue and lip-tie can increase the risk of problems when eating or speaking. 

A frenectomy can cut the band of tissue that restricts the lip and tongue. We perform this procedure with a dental laser. The laser uses light and heat to cut the tissue gently. The laser is safe to use on younger patients. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes that lasers are safe and beneficial for pediatric dentistry. 

Comfortable Dental Care

Our office ensures that patients of all ages feel welcomed when they visit our office. We understand that some patients have dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist.

Young patients may feel fear because they don’t know what to expect. We encourage you to talk to your child before their first dental visit. You can also read books about the dentist or play pretend dentist with your child. This can help make the dentist’s office feel less daunting.

Our team will also gently explain dental treatment to your child. We will ask your child questions during routine cleanings to help distract them from treatment. 

Caring for Your Teeth as You Age

Aging comes with many health changes, including dental health changes. Over time, you can experience increased dental problems for these reasons:

  • Medications: High blood pressure medications, antihistamines, Parkinson’s disease medications, and other medicines can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs when you do not produce enough saliva to wash away food and bacteria from the mouth. This problem can contribute to tooth decay and gum disease.
  • Medical conditions: Problems like diabetes and heart disease can increase your risk of gum disease. Some medical conditions like arthritis can make it difficult to brush and floss. We can recommend products and provide thorough cleanings to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. 
  • Tooth damage: Tooth wear is a natural problem that can develop over years of brushing and drinking acidic foods and drinks. If your tooth enamel weakens over time, you may need a professional opinion on preserving your teeth.

Professional teeth whitening, gum disease treatment, veneers, crowns, and other dental services can help renew your smile. Our office will also look for signs of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer at regular visits. If you have reoccurring symptoms, including chronic gum infection, we may recommend you visit our office more often. We will provide preventive dental cleanings and screenings.

Contact Us Today

Are you looking for a family dentist? Receive care for your whole family. Call Broadway Dental in Galveston, TX, for family dentistry treatment at 409-235-0789. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us online.