Your child's precious to you, and they're precious to us too! Trust us to provide children's dentistry to keep their smiles strong and healthy.

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Children's Dentistry

We love seeing kids of all ages! It's crucial for us to provide great experiences starting at a young age so that they maintain a positive attitude about dental visits as they get older.

As a mother, Dr. Amy Wenninghoff understands that children require a non-threatening environment where they can feel safe and secure. You can expect us to get down to your child's level using a concept called Tell-Show-Do. With this technique, we first tell them what we plan to do, show them what we are using, and then do (perform treatment).

Healthy Smiles Start with Prevention

Our Lincoln, NE, dental office strongly emphasizes preventive dentistry for children. By helping them avoid getting cavities in the first place, we can help children develop healthy teeth and minimize the need for more invasive dental treatment in the future.

At Roots Dental, we offer the following preventive services for children.

Children's Dental Exams

Dr. Amy agrees with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation that children be seen by a dentist when their first baby tooth appears but no later than age one. As soon as your child has teeth, they can develop cavities (caries), and it's crucial to prevent them.

Dr. Amy will complete a caries risk assessment to determine how likely it is that your child will develop cavities. If your child is at high risk, we will discuss strategies to minimize the likelihood that we will need to intervene with fillings.

Teeth Cleanings for Kids Every Six Months

Children should receive teeth cleanings every six months, just like adults. These hygiene appointments allow us to ensure their teeth are clean and healthy by removing cavity-causing plaque and tartar buildup that at-home brushing and flossing can't. Dr. Amy will also provide helpful tips for showing your child how to develop proper oral hygiene practices.

Fluoride and Dental Sealants Protect Developing Teeth

Two important weapons we have against cavities are fluoride and dental sealants.

We offer standard fluoride treatments and silver diamine fluoride.
- Standard fluoride strengthens children's tooth enamel and protects against cavities.
- Silver diamine fluoride is a non-invasive, "no-drill" treatment that helps control early cavities and prevents decay from spreading.
Dental sealants are a thin coating of composite resin applied to teeth like molars and premolars with rough or uneven surfaces. The sealant protects teeth from cavities by creating a smooth surface and preventing bacteria from collecting in crevices and causing cavities.

Comfortable Sports Mouthguards

Thousands of children sustain damage to their front teeth yearly due to sports injuries. We recommend that children of all ages who participate in sports wear a protective mouthguard. We customize mouthguards that perfectly fit your child's unique smile and protect their teeth from dental trauma.

Orthodontic Screenings at Age Seven

We recommend an orthodontic screening for children at age seven. This does not necessarily mean your child will need braces; however, Dr. Amy can predict whether they can benefit from braces in the future. There may be steps we can take early on, such as retainers or space maintainers, to reduce treatment times or possibly eliminate the need for orthodontic treatment altogether.

Dental Crowns and Fillings for Children

Despite our efforts, children sometimes develop cavities in baby and permanent teeth. It's especially crucial to treat decay in baby teeth promptly. These teeth will eventually come out, but meanwhile, they play the vital role of holding space for permanent teeth.

Losing a baby tooth too soon allows surrounding teeth to drift into the space and cause crowding when permanent teeth finally emerge. Depending on the extent of decay and where the tooth is located in the mouth, Dr. Amy may recommend a dental filling or dental crown to restore and protect it.

Schedule Your Child's First Dental Appointment

Is your one-year-old ready for their first dental visit? Do you have an older child who needs a sports mouthguard? We love welcoming kids of all ages and look forward to welcoming you to our children-friendly dental office in Lincoln, NE!

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should I schedule my child's first dental visit?

Dr. Amy agrees with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation that children be seen by a dentist when their first baby tooth appears but no later than age one.

Baby Teeth Are Important Too!

As soon as your child has a baby tooth, they can develop cavities (caries), and it's crucial that we prevent this from happening. Several problems can occur if they have an untreated cavity and lose the tooth before it's ready to come out on its own.

Neighboring teeth start to drift and tilt, closing the space meant for the permanent tooth when it emerges. Since the tooth doesn't have enough room to emerge in a straight position, it can come in at an odd angle. In turn, this can lead to tooth misalignment that may require orthodontic treatment in the future to correct.

Evaluating Your Child's Risk for Cavities

To prevent this from happening, Dr. Amy will complete a caries risk assessment to determine the likelihood of your child developing cavities. If they are at high risk, we will discuss strategies to minimize the likelihood that we will need to intervene with fillings.

We also use this first visit to answer any questions you may have about your child's dental health, review home care recommendations, and screen for any habits that may adversely affect the development of the jaws.

Schedule Your Child's First Dental Visit with Us

We understand you might feel nervous or apprehensive about bringing your little one to the dentist at an early age. You can rest assured that Dr. Amy loves working with children and will provide the same caring treatment she would for her own child.

Please call our Lincoln, NE, dental office today to schedule a convenient appointment for your child's first dental visit.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Amy Wenninghoff

I am originally from Minot, North Dakota, and I met my husband, Garin—a Wahoo, NE, native—when completing my undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota. I graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 2012, and we were married a week later. We then moved to Omaha, where I completed a one-year general practice residency at UNMC and the VA, focusing on dentistry for adult patients with special needs, comprehensive dental rehabilitation for our veterans, and care for patients with complex medical problems.

Next, we moved to Lincoln and ...