Preventive Dental Care for Kids in Wichita & Derby, KS
The best dental care is the kind that stops problems before they start. Preventive care protects your child’s teeth from cavities and other issues, and it all begins with regular checkups and healthy habits at home.
ICTeeth Pediatric Dentistry has cared for Wichita-area families since 1976. Below, you’ll find each of our preventive services and how it helps protect your child’s smile as it grows.
Why Choose Us
- We have six talented pediatric dentists
- We have an amazing team who love small faces and big smiles
- Parents love the fun and positive experience for their kids
Why preventive care matters for kids
Regular preventive visits help prevent cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. They also let us catch potential problems early and keep track of how your child’s teeth and bite are developing over time.
Early, regular visits also help us build trust with your child. When the dentist’s office feels familiar and positive, checkups become a normal part of growing up instead of something to worry about.
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Our preventive services for kids
Exams & Cleanings
Routine checkups are the cornerstone of your child’s preventive care. At each visit, our pediatric dentists look closely at your child’s teeth, gums, and bite. Our dental team cleans away the plaque and tartar that brushing at home can miss and we explain what we found in a way that makes sense to both you and your child. We recommend a checkup and cleaning every six months. Learn more about exams and cleanings.
Dental X-Rays
X-rays show what an exam alone can’t, like cavities forming between teeth and adult teeth developing below the gums. Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation, and we take them based on your child’s individual needs, such as cavity risk, age, and dental history. Learn more about dental X-rays for kids.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are thin, protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where deep grooves can be hard to keep clean. Children often get sealants when their first permanent molars come in around age 6, and again when their second molars arrive around age 12.
To place sealants, we clean the teeth, apply a conditioning gel, paint the sealant into the grooves, and harden it with a curing light. The process usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on how many teeth are being sealed. With good care, sealants can last for many years, and we check them at your child’s checkups and reapply them if needed. Learn more about dental sealants.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and protect against cavities. We use a kid-friendly fluoride varnish that comes in a variety of flavors, and we can apply it during your child’s regular checkup.
Children benefit from fluoride at every stage of dental development, but some kids need extra protection, especially if they:
- Snack often on sugary foods or drinks
- Have had cavities before
- Wear braces or other orthodontic appliances
- Have a dry mouth
Our approach follows guidelines from the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Learn more about fluoride treatments.
Athletic Mouth Guards
If your child plays sports, a custom mouth guard helps protect their teeth and mouth. We make each one from detailed impressions of your child’s teeth, so it fits in a way store-bought guards can’t match. A custom guard is especially important if your child wears braces, and it can be designed to fit around braces or other orthodontic appliances.
To keep a mouth guard in good shape, rinse it with cool water, clean it with a gentle brush and mild soap, and store it in a ventilated case so it can dry completely. Keep it away from hot water and direct sunlight, which can warp it. Most young athletes benefit from a new mouth guard each sports season, or sooner if it cracks, tears, or starts to fit loosely. Learn more about athletic mouth guards.
Dr. Stephen P. Moore
Dr. David J. Brown
Dr. Trey K. Anderson
Dr. Amrita Khemka
Dr. Kristal Raya
Dr. Kelsey Martinez
What to expect at a preventive visit
Most preventive visits for kids include:
- An exam of your child’s teeth, gums, and bite
- A gentle cleaning and polish
- X-rays, if your child’s dentist recommends them
- Fluoride varnish, if your child’s dentist recommends it
- Age-appropriate tips on brushing, flossing, and nutrition
Afterward, we explain what we found in a way that makes sense to both you and your child, and we’re happy to answer your questions. Parents are always welcome to stay with their child during exams and cleanings.
Preventive care starts at home
What happens between visits matters just as much as the visits themselves. At every checkup, we share age-appropriate tips on brushing, flossing, and nutrition, so you leave with a plan that fits your child.
For more ideas, visit our oral health education page or read our tips on cavity prevention for kids.
When should preventive care start?
Earlier than many parents expect. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first tooth coming in. From there, we recommend a checkup every six months. If your little one hasn’t been in yet, here’s what to expect at your child’s first visit.
Making visits comfortable for every child
Our offices are designed to help kids feel at ease, with colorful décor, books and games in the waiting area, and a team that loves working with children. If your child feels nervous about the dentist or has special health care needs, let us know when you schedule. Our special needs dentistry page explains how we support every child.
Insurance and cost
Many dental plans cover preventive care, but coverage varies from plan to plan, so it’s a good idea to check your benefits before your child’s visit.
ICTeeth is a preferred provider for Delta Dental, MetLife, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna (Radius and PPO Core networks), and KanCare dental plans. For payment options and more details, visit our finances and insurance page.
Schedule at the office closest to you
We offer preventive care at all three of our offices: Northeast Wichita, West Wichita, and Smile Safari in Derby. Contact us to schedule your child’s next checkup.
-Deana R.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preventive dentistry is care that helps stop cavities and other problems before they start. For kids, that includes regular exams and cleanings, X-rays when needed, sealants, fluoride treatments, sports mouth guards, and building healthy habits at home.
We recommend a checkup and cleaning every six months. That schedule lets us keep your child’s teeth clean, catch problems early, and follow how your child’s smile is developing.
Not always. Your child’s dentist will recommend what makes sense based on your child’s teeth, age, and risk for cavities.
Yes. Dental X-rays use very low levels of radiation, and we only take them when your child’s dentist decides they’re needed.
If your child plays a contact sport or an activity with fast movement and falls, like football, hockey, basketball, soccer, or gymnastics, a custom mouth guard is a good idea.
