Dental Health

Comprehensive Pediatric Dentistry in Chapel Hill, NC

At Clifton & Mauney Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we believe every child deserves to develop a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts them their whole life long. That’s why we strive to provide high-quality pediatric dental and orthodontic care, and why Drs. Clifton & Mauney, along with our expert team of pediatric dental specialists, work hard to design comprehensive treatment plans aimed at fostering complete oral health in the long term. But why is good oral health so important? Let us count the ways!

Healthy Mouth, Healthy Child

An abundance of research supports the fact that good oral health is critical for whole-body health, and even more studies show that starting early is paramount to achieving strong oral health. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in America, afflicting some 50% of first graders – and that number rises to 80% by age 17. All told, the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research estimates that oral health problems cause children to miss some 52 million hours of school every year! In addition to the health and academic effects, poor oral health can harm a child’s confidence, well-being, and overall self image.

As a parent, there’s a lot you can do to bolster your child’s oral health early in life and instill the habits for long-term oral hygiene. The American Dental Hygiene Association provides a number of recommendations for helping your child achieve good oral health, including:

After each feeding, clean your infant's gums with a water-soaked infant cloth. This helps to remove any food residue and also stimulates blood flow in the gum tissue.
Once your child's baby teeth erupt, brush them gently with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Once your child has reached age 2 or 3, you can start teaching them the basic techniques of brushing their teeth. You can teach them flossing when they reach 7 or 8 years old.
In addition to the care you provide at home, bring them in for regular visits with us. This will help us monitor your child's teeth for cavities and watch out for any development problems.
Visiting the dentist can be scary for any child, but you can help them by encouraging them to discuss their fears openly with you.
Check with your local water department to see if your home water supply is fluoridated. If not, you may need to use a fluoride supplement to safeguard your child's teeth.
The main area for cavities is the chewing surface of the rear molars, which is near impossible to keep clean. Dental sealants, a treatment that applies a thin layer of resin to these areas, may help avoid cavities, so be sure to discuss this treatment with us.

What Do Orthodontists Treat with Clear Aligners?

Dr. Clifton can treat a variety of issues with different types of clear aligners:

These conditions can lead to dental problems in the future if left untreated, so getting orthodontic treatments like clear aligners is essential for proper oral health.

Contact Your Chapel Hill Pediatric Dentist

With all that information, we’re sure you’re chock full of questions – and we’re here to answer them. You can give us a call at 888.339.8108 or reach out to us at our contact page with any questions, or if you’d like to bring your child in for an appointment, you can request one online using our easy online form. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we’re excited to help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful, lifelong smile!