Dentistry For Kids is your local dental practice for pediatric dentistry in Pocatello, Idaho, and
the surrounding areas of Blackfoot, Twin Falls, and Malad City, Idaho. Dr. Robert McWhorter, Dr.
Garth Stoddard, Dr. Michael Christensen, and our team are happy to help your child achieve a healthy
smile and excellent oral hygiene through kid-friendly preventive, restorative, and surgical
services.
McWhorter opened Dentistry For Kids in Pocatello in July 2000, where he enjoys working with children by creating a unique experience for them while meeting their dental needs.
As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Stoddard’s goal is to ensure overall oral health for children. He is board-certified with AAPD and certified in the administration of oral sedation medications. He completes his continuing education credits yearly to remain current on pediatric dental care.
Pediatric dentists treat children from birth through college. If your child has pediatric dental considerations that persist into their adult years, they will typically continue seeing a pediatric dentist for those needs. Generally, your dentist will direct you to a pediatric dentist if they believe your child needs specialized care that only a pediatric dentist can provide.
Recent research has shown repeatedly that fluoride is necessary for preventing tooth decay and strengthening teeth in people of all ages. Fluoride can be gotten through toothpaste, mouthwashes, and fluoride treatments offered by your dentist.
Digital X-rays offer countless improvements over the results of traditional X-rays. After the sensor has taken an image of your teeth, it is instantly projected onto the office screen where your dentist can view it.
Your dentist will have professional tools and specialized knowledge, meaning they will look for things you may not know about or be able to see without a good light and tools in hand. A dentist will be able to check for early signs of decay, and the hygienist will also give a deeper cleaning than at-home brushing allows for. They will scrape away tartar, floss deeper into the gums, and be very thorough when it comes to cleaning off your child’s teeth.
Back-to-school time means many new things will be added to your to-do list, but one thing you’ll want to check off if your child’s back-to-school dental examination. At your child’s back-to-school dental exam, your dentist will be checking over your child’s mouth entirely to ensure everything is lining up correctly and growing in healthy. This exam will ultimately help your child avoid misalignment, cavities, and other dental problems that could grow more severe.
Dental sealants are used to protect the chewing surface of teeth from decay. They are used on the surface of the permanent back teeth, the premolars and molars, to help protect these teeth from decay that will occur from chewing and eating food regularly.
If your child damages a tooth, a dental restoration may be used to restore their smile. Dental bonding and dental crowns are the two most common kinds of dental restorations. Bonding is used for minor chips and cracks while crowns are used when a good deal of the tooth’s enamel is missing, like with a tooth infection or decay.
If your dentist has suggested dental sedation for your child, safety will be your top consideration. Dentists for children often recommend sedation for long and complex procedures, and for young and nervous patients. Typically, sedation is considered very safe. Knowing the facts beforehand, you’ll be able to reduce your child’s stress levels before the procedure.