Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is a family dentist office that offers pediatric dentistry in Durham, NC. We provide complete dental care for patients of all ages, even young children. Our dentist office offers a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere and a highly trained team of dental professionals. We dedicate ourselves to patient care and education and will take the time to get to know every patient. Our office aims to provide the right care to meet our patient’s unique needs.
Dr. James Furgurson encourages parents and guardians to schedule their children’s first dentist appointment early to familiarize them with our dental office. This will help them establish a solid foundation for long-term oral health. Our focus is on preventive dental care and early detection of dental diseases.
The Benefits of Family Dentistry
Our patients and families from Durham, NC, appreciate the convenience and flexibility that comes with having their entire family treated in one visit at one dentist office. Seeing their parents being treated in the same environment that they are tends to ease children’s anxiety.
Treating every family member also enables Dr. Furgurson to notice genetic dental issues and help them before they cause major problems. Tooth shape, size, and alignment can contribute to overcrowding, tooth gaps, or a bad bite. In addition, the strength and structure of enamel, the outer layer of teeth, may impact the risk of tooth decay. Gum health can also influence the likelihood of gum disease and dry mouth.
Early intervention is key to pediatric dental care. When your child visits the dentist at an early age, we can detect and treat dental problems before they worsen.
We can also monitor the growth of your child’s teeth, jaw, and facial structure. Early dental care guides the growth of the jaws and teeth to reduce the need for extensive orthodontic care in the future.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
With children, our main goal is to prevent oral health-related diseases, especially tooth decay. Cavity prevention is largely based on good oral hygiene at home and visits to the dentist.
At each visit, we will screen for signs of decay and provide early treatment when it is most conservative to preserve your child’s tooth. This alone will help your child maintain long-term dental health and ensure their smile is beautiful as they age. In between your child’s dentist appointments, we encourage you to:
- Wipe your child’s gum every day with a damp cloth if teeth have not yet erupted
- Avoid giving your child a bottle at bedtime–this can lead to baby bottle tooth decay
- Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to brush the baby teeth
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush teeth when your child can spit
- Brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day and floss daily
- Avoid sugar as much as possible, especially sticky or hard candy, fruit juices, and soda
Pediatric Dentistry in Durham, NC
Our staff makes every effort to ensure the comfort and safety of our young patients during their dental visits. We want them to develop confidence in their oral hygiene habits and feel comfortable when they visit with us.
We will monitor the development of your child’s teeth and bite, recommending appropriate care as needed to set the stage for long-term dental health. Our staff will show your child the correct way to brush and care for their teeth when they are ready. We offer a complete menu of dental services for children as young as 3, including:
Tooth Cleaning
We provide gentle dental cleanings for children to keep their smiles healthy and bright. Our experienced hygienists carefully scale and polish teeth during each cleaning, ensuring a comfortable experience for your child.
hese routine cleanings, recommended every six months, are essential for removing harmful plaque and bacteria that regular brushing and flossing can miss. Regular visits not only help prevent cavities and gum disease but also encourage good oral hygiene habits that can last a lifetime.
Digital X-rays
We take X-rays at least once a year to keep track of your child’s tooth, gum, palate, and jaw development. Our office can also find emerging dental problems with X-rays.
With these digital images, we can see cavities, improper tooth alignment, or issues with jaw growth that may not be visible during a routine exam. Digital X-rays are safer than traditional ones because they emit less radiation. This offers parents peace of mind while providing high-quality imaging for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are protective coatings we place on the molars. The molars in the back of the mouth are more prone to cavities because they have grooves that can trap food. It can be hard for children to remove decay-causing bacteria from these back teeth.
After routine cleanings, we place sealants for patients for the best results. They protect the molars from harmful bacteria that can infect these teeth. This simple, painless treatment is a great way to keep your child’s molars healthy and free from cavities.
White Fillings
We recommend white fillings over metal fillings because they look natural and do not cause sensitivity. Unlike metal fillings, white fillings use composite materials that blend in with the shade of natural teeth.
White fillings bond directly to the tooth structure, providing better support and reducing the risk of future damage. Metal fillings can expand or contract with temperature changes, which increases the risk of tooth sensitivity. Composite fillings provide a more comfortable option and a natural look.
Tooth Bonding
Bonding can cover small tooth chips or cracks. This non-invasive treatment is quick and affordable for damaged teeth.
Bonding is quick—often completed in a single visit—and affordable if you want to repair minor damage without extensive dental work. It provides an effective way to improve the look and function of your teeth. At the same time, it helps you maintain a natural look.
Custom Sports Mouthguards
Athletic mouthguards protect your child’s teeth and gums during contact sports. A custom mouthguard can prevent damage from hits to the mouth. It absorbs the impact from blows to the face and prevents serious injuries like chipped, broken, or knocked-out teeth, as well as soft tissue damage.
While generic, store-bought mouthguards offer some protection, a custom-made mouthguard provides a better fit and greater comfort for the best protection. No matter your age, you benefit from a custom mouthguard when playing sports.
Orthodontic Consultations
We recommend orthodontics for children as their teeth and jaw develop. If you notice that your child has tooth gaps, crooked teeth, or bite issues such as overbites or underbites, address these concerns early. These dental problems can affect more than just the appearance of their smile. Over time, they can lead to difficulties with chewing, speaking, and maintaining proper oral hygiene.
Early orthodontic intervention can help prevent these complications and promote long-term dental health. It can give your child a healthy, confident smile as they grow.
Wisdom Tooth Removal
The wisdom teeth grow behind the molars. They typically grow when patients are in their teens or twenties. In some cases, they do not have enough room to grow, increasing the risk of tooth damage and infection.
We provide comfortable wisdom tooth extractions in our office. If your child feels their wisdom teeth growing behind their molars, schedule a visit. We will take X-rays and help schedule removal.
How We Treat Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety and fear are common in children. We are prepared to help them feel at ease. A good way to help keep your child at ease is not to be anxious yourself. A child can sense a parent’s anxiety, so presenting a positive and confident attitude can help them feel more secure.
We want to create a welcoming and fun atmosphere so your child feels comfortable at dental visits. Our office encourages children to bring their favorite toy or blanket to help them feel relaxed.
During your child’s first visit to our office, we provide a comprehensive tour of the office. We will also allow them to ask questions so they feel more curious than fearful about their care.
Our team is trained to use gentle and encouraging language with children. If needed, we can explain your child’s treatment to them in simple terms. We also use positive reinforcement and distraction methods to help children stay calm and cooperative.
Pediatric Dentistry FAQs
Discover more about pediatric dentistry in Durham, NC, dental office with answers to these common patient questions:
How do I clean my child’s mouth before their teeth grow?
Cleaning your child’s mouth before their teeth grow is essential for their oral health. Start by using a soft, clean cloth or a special finger brush designed for babies. You can wrap a clean, damp cloth around your finger or use the finger brush.
With the cloth or brush, gently wipe your baby’s gums and tongue. This helps remove any milk residue and keeps their mouth clean. Clean your child’s mouth at least once a day, especially after feeding. This helps establish a good oral care routine.
Once your child’s first teeth start to come in (usually around six months), you can switch to using a small, soft toothbrush with a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste.
At what age should my child brush their own teeth?
Most kids can start brushing their own teeth around the age of six or seven. By this age, they usually have the skills to do it well, but they still need some supervision.
It’s a good idea to check their technique and make sure they’re brushing for about two minutes. Kids might need reminders and help with hard-to-reach spots until they’re around nine or ten years old. Encouraging them to take care of their teeth is important for building good habits!
Can children get fillings?
Yes, children can get fillings if they have cavities. A cavity happens when bacteria in the mouth create holes in the teeth. If a dentist finds a cavity, they may recommend a filling to help restore the tooth and prevent further damage.
The filling process is usually quick and involves cleaning out the cavity and then filling it with a special material, like composite resin or silver amalgam. Treating cavities early can keep your child’s teeth healthy and avoid more serious problems later on.
What if my child has a toothache?
If your child has a toothache, have your child rinse their mouth with warm salt water. This can help reduce swelling and clean the area around the tooth. You can give your child over-the-counter pain relief medicine and follow the instructions on the label. Make sure to use the correct dosage based on their age and weight.
Apply a cold compress to the outside of their cheek near the painful area. This can help numb the pain and reduce swelling. You can look inside your child’s mouth to see if there is any food stuck between their teeth. If you find anything, you can gently remove it with dental floss or a toothbrush.
Make an appointment our dentist as soon as possible. We can examine your child’s teeth to find out what’s causing the toothache and recommend the right treatment.
Can thumb sucking or pacifier use affect my child’s teeth?
Yes. First, if a child sucks their thumb or uses a pacifier too much, it can cause their teeth to shift out of place. This can lead to crooked teeth or bite problems. The front teeth may protrude, meaning they stick out more than they should.
Constant sucking can also affect how the jaw grows. It might lead to an overbite, underbite, or other jaw alignment issues. This can make it harder for your child to bite and chew properly.
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use can sometimes interfere with speech. It may make it difficult for your child to pronounce certain sounds correctly. If these problems continue, they can affect the health of your child’s gums. It may increase the risk of gum problems or infections.
Curbing these problems early by distracting your child with a toy or using other comforting techniques can improve your child’s health.
When can my child eat after they get sealants?
After your child gets dental sealants, they can usually eat right away, but it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes. This gives the sealants time to set properly.
However, for the first few hours, it’s a good idea to stick to soft foods and avoid sticky or hard foods that could pull or damage the sealants. If you have any questions, you can always ask the dentist for specific recommendations!
Is fluoride safe for children?
Yes, fluoride is generally safe for children when used correctly. It helps prevent cavities by strengthening teeth. Many toothpastes and drinking water have fluoride added to them.
However, too much fluoride can cause a condition called dental fluorosis, which can change the appearance of teeth. That’s why it’s best for young kids to use only a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and to avoid swallowing it. If you have any concerns, talking to our dentist to ensure your child gets the right amount of fluoride.
How often should I bring my child to the dentist?
You should bring your child to the dentist for regular check-ups every six months. This is important for keeping their teeth and gums healthy. During these visits, the dentist will check for any cavities, clean their teeth, and make sure everything is growing properly.
If your child has specific dental issues or needs extra care, the dentist may recommend more frequent visits. It’s also a good idea to bring your child to the dentist if they have any pain, discomfort, or other dental concerns before the next scheduled appointment. Starting dental visits early helps your child get used to the dentist and can lead to a lifetime of good oral health.
Call Your Family Dentist
If you are searching for pediatric dentists in the Durham, NC, area, consider Dr. Furgurson with Chapel Hill Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. Contact our conveniently located pediatric dental office today to schedule your child’s dental appointment.
You can reach us at 919.736.6175 or schedule an appointment online. If you have questions about family dentistry, let us know at your next visit.