At Weldon Dental of Rome, we are proud to have our very own pediatric dentist! Dr. Leigh Weldon is a specialist in pediatric dentistry. She has all the training and knowledge to treat growing smiles. It is her goal to create a fun, educational environment for children so they can learn everything they need to know about maintaining healthy, happy smiles!
It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) that children see a dentist when their first tooth erupts or when they turn one – whichever happens first! These “Baby and Me” visits are shorter visits (15-20 minutes) where we are able to establish a “dental home” for your child. We will review your child’s medical history, discuss feeding and diet recommendations, go over tips and tricks for good brushing habits, toothpaste recommendations, and perform a quick exam with your child in your lap. These early visits also establish your child as a patient of our practice should you ever need us for any after-hours emergency calls. Our goal is to implement some simple prevention strategies early as well as start forming trusting relationships that can lead to a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles!
We offer comprehensive dental care for babies through the teen years! For our two and three year old patients, the process is similar to our “Baby and Me” visits. These appointments are all about introducing your child to dental care so they can get to know us and our office as a safe (and fun!) place to visit. We keep these exams short and sweet, which allows us to check on their smile in a quick and stress-free manner. We’ll review medical history updates, discuss your child’s diet and any thumb/finger/pacifier habits, and share our cavity-fighting tips and tricks. If we’ve seen your child as an infant, these appointments serve as good refreshers and allow us to answer any questions you may have.
We begin to add in a more detailed check up (professional cleaning, thorough doctor’s exam, fluoride treatments, and x-rays as needed) when your child is ready. This is often around age 3 ½ to 4 but every child is different! We’ll work together to make sure your child is comfortable and if we don’t actually clean and polish their teeth until they are a little older- that’s ok! Building a foundation of trust and positive experiences is much more important to us!
Services we provide include comprehensive exams, preventative cleanings, fluoride treatments, minimal exposure radiographs, sealants, restorative treatment such as white fillings and white crowns, teeth whitening, and sedation dentistry.
Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a naturally occurring element. Fluoride inhibits the loss of minerals from tooth enamel and encourages remineralization (strengthening areas that are weakened and beginning to develop cavities). Fluoride also affects bacteria that can cause cavities, discouraging acid attacks that can break down the tooth. Kids that can especially benefit from topical fluoride are those with a history of previous cavities, a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates, or orthodontic appliances. Topical fluoride is applied to the tooth enamel after a cleaning. Our fluoride varnish is quickly and easily brushed or “painted” on the enamel, giving your child’s teeth an extra layer of cavity protection between check ups. We are committed to using only the highest quality products, so in addition to offering your child multiple flavor options (from bubblegum to strawberry and even marshmallow!), all of our varnish products are dye-, allergen-, and gluten-free. Plus, with the latest formulations, there is no waiting to eat or drink after your appointment (yay!)
The best way to prevent cavities is to brush each morning and night and floss daily, but sometimes little teeth need a little extra help from dental sealants. Sealants are thin plastic coatings that prevent food and bacteria from getting stuck in the deeper grooves of back teeth, helping to prevent cavities. We are meticulous when placing our sealants and if we ever note during an exam that one needs to be touched up or replaced, we will gladly offer to replace it at no charge for our patients.
As part of our commitment to minimally invasive dentistry, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is one of the tools we have on hand as an option to treat small cavities. SDF is an FDA-approved liquid that can be applied to teeth to stop a cavity from progressing. We simply clean the tooth and brush the liquid onto the affected area for one minute. The Silver Diamine Fluoride will be allowed to air dry. The whole process only takes a few minutes (and usually ends with a sugar-free lollipop as a reward!)
We are known for our conservative approach to restorative dentistry and do our best to help prevent cavities or dental trauma in the first place, but of course they can still occur. Fortunately, we can use tooth-colored fillings to rebuild the structure of the teeth using only the highest quality dental materials. Tooth-colored fillings blend in with the tooth’s natural enamel and are not visible to others.
Extractions are sometimes needed when permanent teeth come in incorrectly and baby teeth aren’t coming out on their own, when teeth have a large cavity, or due to an injury. We also will sometimes help our local orthodontists by removing teeth as recommended to help reach orthodontic goals. We have our “magic jelly” (aka topical anesthetic) that works wonders and will make sure your child’s tooth is nice and “sleepy” before we “wiggle it out”. Sedation options such as nitrous oxide are also available for optimal comfort.
We make every effort to foster a fun and caring environment, but it can sometimes still be difficult for children to complete necessary dental treatment due to extreme dental fears, anxiety, or special healthcare needs. Fortunately, we offer two different sedation options that can allow us to care for your child safely and comfortably. We will discuss each child’s specific needs and together determine which option is best for your child.
We are here for you! If your child is experiencing a dental emergency (toothache, chipped tooth, traumatic dental injury) give our office a call and we will schedule them right away. If your child’s emergency involves a potential head injury, please go to your closest emergency room for evaluation immediately.
If it is after regular office hours and you do not feel your child needs the care of an emergency room, established patients can reach Dr. Leigh or her assistant via our emergency paging system. Just give our office a call and follow the prompts. Many times we can help talk through the situation, exchange texts or photos of the injury or concern, and provide solutions to keep your child comfortable until we can complete definitive treatment.
Learn More About Pediatric Emergency Dentistry
On an ongoing basis, we may recommend having new X-rays taken. That’s because we want to catch tooth decay and other oral health problems at the earliest possible stage. Plus, X-rays allow us to see what’s going on under the surface, like how your child’s wisdom teeth are developing. Since we use digital X-rays, this process is not only safer, but it’s more efficient too.
The best way to protect your child’s smile from harm on the field, mat, or court is by getting them an athletic mouthguard. Encourage them to wear it during games and practices so that their teeth and gums are always protected. Furthermore, make sure they wear it during solo sports, like skateboarding or cycling, since it only takes one bad fall for them to sustain a serious dental injury.
Parents often wonder why baby teeth are important. After all, aren’t they supposed to fall out? Although the answer is “yes,” it’s crucial that they don’t fall out too soon. Not only do they help your child chew efficiently, enunciate clearly, and smile confidently, but they also preserve the space for the adult tooth. Simply put, taking care of your child’s baby teeth is vital and, if one comes out prematurely, that warrants an immediate call to our Rome dental office.
When your child is really little, thumb-sucking is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about. If they are still engaging in this self-soothing habit when they are 5+, then it’s worth setting some time aside to talk to our pediatric dentist. They can give you some helpful tips on how to break the habit so that it doesn’t negatively impact the look, health, and function of your child’s smile.
Wisdom teeth typically grow in between the ages of 16 and 25. However, we will begin monitoring their development much sooner to make sure they aren’t growing in sideways. If they are, or there simply isn’t enough room in your child’s mouth, then we will recommend having them removed. Rest assured, we will thoroughly numb their mouth so they don’t feel any discomfort in the treatment chair. Then, we will provide you with helpful aftercare instructions so they heal with minimal soreness.
Weldon Dental of Rome can be found along Martha Berry Blvd NE, near the intersection of N 5th Ave and W 11th Street. We’re only minutes away from the Publix Super Market at Charles High Square, Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, and Heritage Park. If you see Divine Salon & Spa or The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, you’re in the right place! We can’t wait to welcome you in soon and help you get started on a brighter, healthier smile.
