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Preventative Dentistry

Petite Krewe is a big believer in regular dental exams. They are the foundation of good oral health, particularly in pediatric dentistry. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling a child’s first dental check-up within six months of their first tooth eruption, but no later than their first birthday.

With regular dental exams, we can catch potential issues early, provide timely intervention, and ensure a healthy smile for your child. During a dental exam, our Krewe carefully checks your child’s teeth, gums, and overall oral health, looking for any signs of cavities, gum disease, or other concerns. Since childhood is the best time to create lifelong oral hygiene habits, we’ll offer tips to maintain a healthy smile between visits so dental care becomes a fun and easy part of your child’s routine.

Semi-annual dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth and gums in most kids. However, some patients may need more frequent visits due to factors like a higher risk of tooth decay, abnormal growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. Regular dental visits are key in preventing tooth decay and ensuring your child’s smile remains healthy.

Routine cleanings are necessary for plaque and tartar removal that regular brushing can’t handle. Our gentle, but thorough, cleanings help prevent cavities and keep your child’s teeth sparkling. Petite Krewe employs specialized tools to remove plaque buildup and polish the teeth, leaving them smooth, clean, and dazzling. Regular cleanings are a key factor in preventative dentistry by preventing tooth decay and gum disease before they even get started, all while promoting a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Fluoride treatments are a powerful, long-lasting tool in the constant war against tooth decay and are especially beneficial for children. Our team will apply a safe, fluoride-rich gel or varnish to your child’s teeth, providing an extra layer of protection against tooth decay and creating a stronger resistance to cavities.

Dental sealants are tooth-colored, protective coatings applied to the chewing surface of your child’s teeth for cavity prevention. Research shows that properly maintained sealants can reduce cavity risk by 80-90%. This quick, painless preventive treatment protects the chewing surface of your child’s teeth from harmful bacteria and the corrosive effects of sugar.

Petite Krewe uses digital X-rays, which massively reduce radiation exposure. Believe it or not, the radiation from digital X-rays is probably less than your child’s exposure walking to the car. We prioritize your child’s safety while providing the most accurate and effective dental care possible.

There’s no set schedule for X-rays since every child’s dental needs are unique, although children typically do require more frequent X-rays than adults because their mouths are constantly growing, and their teeth are more susceptible to decay.

Restorative Dentistry

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a quick and gentle treatment that helps stop cavities from getting worse–without the need for drilling or fillings. This makes it especially helpful for young children who may feel anxious or have trouble sitting through traditional dental procedures. SDF works by slowing or stopping the spread of tooth decay, which can often delay the need for more advanced treatment until your child is older and more comfortable with dental visits.

Petite Krewe prioritizes your child’s health and safety by using only the highest quality materials to repair cavities and delivering the best possible care for your child’s dental needs. An example of how we cater to children is composite resin fillings made from durable dental resin perfectly matched to your child’s natural tooth color. They are one of the most common restorative procedures and are an excellent option to restore both the function and appearance of teeth with smaller cavities.

If your child has a large, deep cavity, a pulpotomy may be necessary to save the tooth. Often called a “baby root canal,” this procedure involves removing the decayed nerve, cleaning the area, and placing a protective covering to restore and preserve the tooth’s pulp (the innermost part of the tooth containing nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue). After the pulpotomy, we’ll restore the aesthetics of your child’s tooth with a durable dental crown.

Crowns, also sometimes called caps, are used to repair a tooth too far gone for a simple filling. Crowns provide added strength and protection, particularly for teeth suffering from deep decay or trauma. Crowns are carefully fitted over the affected tooth, restoring its shape, size, and function. Petite Krewe uses this treatment to preserve a tooth rather than remove it, maintaining your child’s oral health and natural smile.

Petite Krewe’s priority is always preserving your child’s natural teeth. However, if a damaged tooth has insufficient structure to support a crown or if a tooth becomes infected due to an untreated cavity or trauma, a tooth extraction may be necessary.

Removing a problematic tooth helps prevent future complications and facilitates healthy growth and development. We help calm your child’s anxiety and minimize their discomfort with an approach tailored to their unique needs. Using the latest techniques and technology, we perform extractions quickly and effectively, reducing recovery time and getting your child back to their daily routine as soon as possible.

Space maintainers are semi-permanent dental devices used to preserve the space left by a prematurely lost primary (baby) tooth.  Spacers prevent neighboring teeth from shifting into the spot meant for a permanent tooth that hasn’t erupted yet. We use space maintainers in pediatric dentistry to avoid orthodontic issues requiring more complex – and expensive – treatments in the future.

Sedation Dentistry

Nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, is a mild sedative for children anxious about their dental visit and treatments. This colorless, odorless gas creates a gentle, euphoric relaxation for a more calm and comfortable treatment experience for your child.

Laughing gas is the mildest form of sedation and should not put your child to sleep. Instead, it calms their anxiety and reduces the gag reflex, leading to more comfortable procedures. We monitor gas levels during the entire treatment for your child’s safety. Once we finish the procedure, the child is given pure oxygen to help them recover more quickly, with the effects wearing off in about five minutes. By the time your child leaves our office, they’ll be ready for normal activities and with no lingering side effects.

Moderate, or conscious, sedation is a liquid administered orally to reduce anxiety or discomfort during dental procedures. It’s employed when nitrous oxide isn’t effective enough on its own or in combination with nitrous oxide if the child needs to relax further.

Unlike nitrous oxide, which takes effect and wears off quickly, oral sedation can take 30-60 minutes to kick in with effects lasting several hours. Your child will likely grow drowsy and may fall asleep, but they will not fall unconscious. We monitor your child closely throughout the procedure for their safety.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. Dr. Brashier will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

This may be the best option for children with high anxiety, extensive dental needs, special healthcare needs, or when other forms of sedation have not been successful. Under general anesthesia, your child will be fully asleep while all necessary dental treatment is completed in a single visit.

This approach allows for a stress-free experience, helping children avoid trauma and maintain a positive outlook on future dental care. Dr. Brashier offers this service at a local surgery center or Manning Family Children’s Hospital, where a highly trained medical anesthesia team carefully monitors your child’s safety throughout the procedure.

Other Treatments

Habit-breaking appliances are orthodontic devices that help patients eliminate detrimental oral habits, such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. These appliances train patients to break habits, promoting healthier oral development and preventing malocclusion.

In any emergency, every second counts. Timely care can accelerate healing and, even more importantly, eliminate pain. Toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, and other painful issues can interfere with their academic performance, sports, and even just enjoying life.

Don’t hesitate to give us a call immediately if you suspect a dental emergency. Our Krewe will help you figure out the severity of their issue, guide you through at-home care, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, so your child can get back to being a kid.