At 615 Smile Design Studio, we want patients of all ages to feel comfortable visiting our dental office. Family dentistry is a part of preventative and general dental care in our Nashville, TN office. Preventive care helps keep the teeth and gums healthy and stop future oral health issues.
Our office provides dental cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and more for young patients. We work with families to fit dental care into their busy schedules. Our team knows it can sometimes be difficult to schedule dental visits, but we help parents and children get essential care to maintain their smiles.
Routine Family Dentistry in Nashville, TN
Cleanings, exams, X-rays, and other preventive treatments are essential to good oral health. We offer routine dental care for children and adults. For adults, we can provide thorough exams and cleanings to remove bacteria and find signs of emerging dental problems.
Pediatric dental appointments also include exams and cleanings but may offer different preventive treatments. At your child’s first visit to our dental office, we will review their health history and discuss their oral health and habits with you.
We will also answer any questions about your child’s oral health care. Then, we will examine your child’s smile and demonstrate how to care for their teeth as they emerge. Finally, we will schedule and review what will happen at the next appointment.
We recommend that your child has his or her first dental visit by the time the first tooth grows. Typically, the first teeth emerge between four to seven months. Your child can visit our office at 12 months. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends bringing your child to the dentist no later than one year.
We encourage you to hold your child as they sit on your lap for this first visit, where we will gently examine their mouth. Early dental visits ensure your child feels comfortable at the dentist as they age.
Why Are Early Dental Visits Essential?
Early oral development affects how your child eats, speaks, and talks. Brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly can help prevent dental problems before they worsen. If we notice any dental issues, we will recommend treatments as needed. When your child’s teeth emerge, we will take X-rays to track jaw, tooth, and palate development.
Cavity Prevention
Dental cavities, or holes in the teeth, are common pediatric dental problems. Children are more prone to cavities because of sugary diets and poor oral hygiene. A healthy diet, brushing, and flossing can help prevent cavities in children.
We may also recommend fluoride or sealant treatment at regular dental visits. During fluoride treatment, we brush a highly concentrated fluoride varnish on the teeth. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Your child will wait for 30 minutes to eat or drink so the varnish penetrates the teeth.
Dental sealants are protective coatings we place on the back molars. Because they can be difficult to clean, the molars are prone to problems like decay. We place sealants on the chewing surfaces of the molars to seal out harmful bacteria. Sealants can last for many years and keep teeth cavity-free.
Comfortable Dental Visits for Children
Before your child’s first dental visit, talk to them about the dentist. However, avoid words like “pain” or “shot.”
Gently explain how the dentist will clean the teeth. You can also read your child books about the dentist or role-play going to the dentist with them. When you prepare your child for his or her first visit, it will make the experience more comfortable.
At 615 Smile Design Studio, we aim to create a safe, comforting environment for all patients. We provide gentle dentistry regardless of age.
Our team understands younger patients can have dental anxiety because they don’t know what to expect at their dental visit. When your child visits our office, we will introduce ourselves and explain what we will do in simple terms. We will also ask your child questions to help distract them from their cleaning and exam.
If your child has dental anxiety, we recommend that you bring a favorite toy or blanket to their appointment. You will also be in the exam room with your child to help keep them feel calm.
Cosmetic and Restorative Care As You Age
As you age, you may experience different dental problems than before. Medical problems, medications, dental injuries, discoloration, and other issues can impact the smile. When you address these problems, you can maintain and increase your confidence in your smile.
Cosmetic dental care improves the look of the smile. Our cosmetic treatments include clear braces, veneers, bonding, and teeth whitening. Clear braces offer discreet treatment for patients with mild to moderately crooked teeth. Veneers and dental bonding offer similar treatments to cover discolored, broken, and crooked teeth.
Restorative care can address missing teeth, bite problems, and gum disease. Whether you have accidentally lost a tooth or multiple teeth due to decay, we can help. Our office works with a local oral surgeon to offer single dental implants and implant-supported restorations. Implants are high-quality, permanent restorations.
If patients have bite problems like TMD, we may recommend Botox Cosmetic to treat facial muscle tension. We may also recommend nightguards for nightly teeth clenching and grinding.
Certain medications and medical conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, are connected to gum health. If you notice signs of bleeding, irritated or swollen gum tissue, we will recommend a visit.
Scaling and root planing are routine cleanings we offer in-office to help patients who already have signs of gum disease. These cleanings remove bacteria that can cause gum disease. Regular scaling and root planing may benefit you; we will recommend a schedule for these cleanings.
Call Our Dental Office
Are you looking for a family dentist in Nashville? From routine care to restorative dentistry, we’re here to provide comprehensive care for your family. Schedule a dental appointment with us on our website. Call 615 Smile Design Studio for care today at (615) 637-2878.
Please let us know your questions or concerns; we will gladly help. Our dental office serves patients from Belle Meade, Holt Meadows, Moss Creek, and other communities surrounding Nashville.