Preventative CareLake Stevens, WA

Preventative Dental Care

From routine cleanings to nutritional education, there are so many ways to keep your child’s smile shining bright. At Milestone Kids Dentistry, we teach kiddos to develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime. Schedule your appointment now!

What Is Preventative Care?

Keeping a healthy and bright smile requires regular care. That’s why we do everything possible for your kiddo’s teeth. And as they grow bigger and stronger, the lessons they learn at Milestone Kids Dentistry will help them enjoy a lifetime of happy smiles.

Our experts walk you through preventive care strategies and teach your kiddo an A+ dental routine. We don’t believe in judging our patients or you. Instead, we collaborate to find a cleaning routine that works for everybody’s needs.

No matter what your kiddo needs — from stopping sugar bugs to nutritional education — our dental experts are standing by to guide their journey. We promise to help care for your loved ones the way we care for our own.

Benefits Of Preventive Dental Care

Regular tooth appointments for counting and tickling teeth (exams and cleanings) can help your child lower their risk of developing sugar bugs (cavities). Taking basic precautionary steps like wearing mouthguards while playing sports can help you avoid costly emergency appointments.

Other benefits include:

Allowing children’s teeth to come in healthy and strong
Preventing tooth decay with sealants and fluoride treatments
Early identification and intervention of emerging problems
Preserving the integrity of your child’s gums, teeth, jaw, and face

Preventive Dental Treatment & Services

Your child can start their preventive care journey as soon as their first tooth erupts. At Milestone Kids Dentistry, we are proud to offer these services to help your little buddy on the road to good dental habits.

Dental Cleanings & Exams

Regular counting and tickling appointments (cleanings and exams) can help make sure your child gets that extra special attention they need. They also provide the chance to examine their mouth and inform you of any concerning areas.

X-Rays & Diagnostics

Diagnostic technologies like x-rays are useful tools to check in on developing teeth. Screenings help understand your child’s needs, find sugar bugs (cavities), or predict vulnerable spots in their smile. These tools can even be used to help create your child’s custom treatment plan.

Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are a great way to protect the biting surfaces of your child’s back teeth, specifically the grooves and pits where decay is most likely to develop. These sealants act as a barrier, preventing plaque buildup and keeping bacteria from creating cavities. Sealants are typically applied to the first permanent molars once they emerge, usually around age 6 or 7. We generally don’t place sealants on primary (baby) teeth, as they are meant to protect the permanent molars that will last a lifetime. This simple procedure can help keep your child's smile healthy and cavity-free!

Fluoride Treatments

Fluoride helps rebuild tooth enamel and reverse early tooth decay. It can even help strengthen the enamel and teeth, which makes it harder to develop sugar bugs. Fluoride treatments help teeth remineralize and absorb essential substances.

Steps For At-Home Preventive Dental Care

Getting a healthy and bright smile starts at home. While your child follows their daily dental care plan, we help them achieve a lifetime of wellness.

No matter how old your little one is, they are ready to become a champion brusher. Here are some steps to help them get to the winner’s circle:

Have your kiddo clean their teeth at least twice a day. Brush in the morning and evening with toothpaste and a soft-bristled brush. Remember: they may have different toothpaste amount needs.
Floss daily to prevent trapped food particles from turning into sugar bugs (cavities). Keep in mind that flossing doesn’t need to be in your child’s routine until they have two teeth that touch.
After flossing, mouthwash can be a helpful way to clear away remaining food particles and bacteria. However, it’s important to note that children under the age of six generally don’t need to include mouthwash in their routine just yet. If your child is old enough to use mouthwash, they should be able to swish it around without accidentally swallowing it.
Our doctors recommend being cautious when choosing a mouthwash, as there are many different types available, each with specific purposes—some are designed for cavity prevention, while others target bad breath or gum health. It’s essential to pick one that matches your child’s needs, and always look for alcohol-free options to ensure safety. When in doubt, we can help guide you on the best choice for your child’s oral care routine!
Avoid certain foods that can damage or chip teeth, such as acidic foods, hard candies, sugary snacks, or anything with bones, seeds, or pits. These can wear down enamel or even crack your child’s teeth. Also, be mindful of sticky carbs like crackers, chips, or dried fruit—they can cling to the teeth and feed cavity-causing bacteria. Your child should also drink plenty of water throughout the day, and try to brush after eating, especially if they’ve had something sugary or starchy.
Encourage your child to wear a mouthguard during sports and physical activities. While store-bought options offer basic protection, a custom-fit mouthguard provides superior comfort, durability, and safety. It’s designed specifically for your child’s smile, making it easier to wear and more effective at preventing dental injuries.

Depending on your child’s age, you may need to follow some extra precautions.

Extra Preventative Care Steps For 0-3 Year Olds

Littles who are between 0-3 years old need a smaller amount of toothpaste. A teensy drop of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice will be sufficient for 0-3 year olds. This small dose will help keep your infant from swallowing an excessive amount of toothpaste. Use fluoride toothpaste with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) seal of acceptance.

After breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, especially at night, it's important to gently wipe your baby’s teeth and gums with a soft cloth or infant toothbrush. If your child still takes a bottle to bed, make sure it only contains water—not milk or juice—to help prevent early childhood cavities.

Extra Preventative Care Steps For 3-6 Year Olds

Around three years old, your child can start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Children around the age of 2 may be ready to spit out their own toothpaste. If your child isn’t ready for that yet, do not worry! They will be eventually. Until then, continue using a rice-sized portion of toothpaste.

Outstanding Kids Dental Care Near You

Milestone Kids Dentistry specializes in helping children of all ages enjoy preventive dental treatments in Lake Stevens, WA. We work with patients and their parents to develop a winning game plan for their child’s success. We would love to help your child get the benefits of a healthy smile.

Whether your child is an infant or getting ready to graduate high school — we are here for every step of their smile journey. Schedule your initial appointment with the experts at Milestone Kids Dentistry now! We hope to see you soon!