Building a Good Foundation

Whole Dental Wellness in Detroit, MI offers care for children from infancy through adolescence so that your child can enjoy good oral health into their adult years. Prioritizing your child's dental health now will provide health benefits as they age.  

Though primary (baby) teeth eventually fall out, they serve some extremely important functions. For around the first six years, primary teeth help with biting, chewing and speaking. Primary teeth also guide the eruption of permanent (adult) teeth, holding the space into which these new teeth will eventually erupt. The crowns (tops) of the permanent teeth actually push against the roots of the baby teeth, causing them to resorb, or melt away. This allows the adult teeth to move into their proper place. Decay, damage, or premature loss of baby teeth can therefore have a negative impact on the health of adult teeth.

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Your Child's First Teeth  

Your child's 20 baby teeth will normally begin to appear between six and nine months, though in some cases teeth may start to come in as early as three months or as late as twelve months. The two lower front teeth tend to erupt first, followed by the two upper ones. The next teeth to emerge are usually the first molars, followed by the canines (eyeteeth).  

If your child is suffering from teething discomfort, wipe their gums and newly erupting teeth with a cool water-soaked gauze pad or damp washcloth.  

Your Child's First Dental Appointment  

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday or within three months of their first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. Early childhood cavities (tooth decay) can develop quickly, moving from the hard, outer enamel layer of a tooth into the softer, inner dentin in six months or less.

Daily Brushing Routine  

Around age 2, we encourage you to establish a daily brushing routine with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Your child may need your help with this important task until about the age of 6.

Pediatric Dental Treatments  

We offer a variety of dental treatments to help prevent tooth decay in children or to save or repair teeth that have cavities or have suffered trauma.  

Topical Fluoride  

Fluoride strengthens the outer enamel, making teeth harder and more resistant to decay. Although there is a small amount of fluoride in toothpastes and in some drinking water, a higher concentration can be applied professionally to your child's teeth to provide maximum protection.  

Dental Sealants  

Dental sealants are made of a special material that is used to coat and cover the teeth. This professional process helps to cover or seal imperfections in the teeth that might otherwise provide a home for cavity-causing bacteria.  

Root Canal Treatment  

Sometimes children need root canals to save an injured or severely decayed tooth.  

Bonding  

It isn’t uncommon for children to receive chips and minor fractures to their front teeth. If this occurs, they can be repaired with tooth-colored bonding materials.  

Healthy Smile Habits  

As your child grows, we focus on prevention and education to ensure their smile remains healthy. Our goal is to help children learn good oral hygiene habits to promote their overall oral health.  

Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)  

During their regular six-month appointment, your child will experience a gentle and thorough cleaning to help prevent cavities and start the journey of good dental health.  

Tooth Colored Fillings  

When necessary, we use composite fillings with a tooth-colored resin to fill in cavities so that fillings blend in naturally.  

Tooth Extractions  

When a tooth has decay, disease, trauma, or may impede normal oral development, we remove the tooth.  

Dental Emergencies  

We are here to help with your child’s dental emergencies from accidents to tooth pain.  

Orthodontic Evaluation  

We will assess the need for orthodontic intervention as your child grows.  

Child-friendly Sedation  

Based on your child’s specific needs and treatment, we offer sedation options to help them feel relaxed and at ease.   

Restorative Treatment  

Following tooth loss or damage, pediatric restorative dentistry helps improve the appearance, function, and health of a child’s smile.

We’re excited to welcome you and your child to one of our convenient locations in Roseville or Birmingham, MI! Feel free to give us a call or book your first appointment online today. We can’t wait to see you!