How can we help you?
Dr. Bret and our team have many years of experience in offering professional and friendly pediatric dental care to children of all ages. We know that parents often have many questions regarding their child’s dental care, and our goal is to make sure that your family feels comfortable and informed about any decision that you need to make. We want you to know that we are always available to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have about your child’s teeth and mouth.
Please let us know if you have any concerns. There are no silly questions, and we want you to feel comfortable coming to us with even the smallest of worries. We know that welcoming our pediatric dental practice into your family is a big decision, and we want you to feel secure in knowing that you have chosen the right pediatric dentist for your child.
Preventive Dental Care
Dental sealants are an effective preventive measure to protect children's teeth from cavities. They provide a smooth, protective barrier that prevents bacterial buildup and makes maintaining oral hygiene easier.
Early preventive care, including sealants, sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy teeth. The ideal time for a child to start getting dental sealants is during the developmentally crucial period in which a child’s first and second molars emerge. Dental sealants are most effective when applied to the chewing surfaces of these molars soon after they come in. This is usually around 6 years of age for the first molars and around age 12 for the second molars.
Applying sealants at these ages can significantly reduce the risk of decay in a child’s teeth. And molars are particularly vulnerable, as their chewing surfaces have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria can easily get trapped and cause cavities.
It’s worth noting that younger children with deep grooves in their primary (baby) teeth can also benefit from sealants, though in these cases it’s important to consult with a dentist to assess the child's specific needs.
Ensuring Healthy Young Smiles with Dental Sealants in Decatur, IL
If you’re a parent in Decatur, IL, looking for a top-quality dental practice with expertise in using a comprehensive set of treatments and solutions, including dental sealants, to ensure the safe development and long-term health of your children’s smiles, contact Dr. Bret Jerger and the stellar Jerger Family Dental team to schedule a consultation!
Yes, every child who participates in sports activities—particularly contact sports like football, basketball, and soccer—should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth. Parents are often surprised to learn that as much as 40 percent of all dental injuries are sports-related.
Customized Mouthguards in Decatur, IL
As your child’s Decatur, IL dentist, Dr. Bret Jerger customizes sports mouthguards that offer the ultimate protection for their teeth and mouths.
Many schools and teams mandate wearing mouthguards, but even so, statistics show that only about two-thirds of athletes wear protective mouth gear. The lack of compliance is partially because generic mouthguards of the “boil and bite” variety don’t fit very well and may be so uncomfortable that your child won't wear it without your supervision.
As part of your son or daughter’s preventive dental care at our Decatur, IL practice, we customize mouthguards that are comfortable because we design them for your child’s unique smile. For this reason, kids are much more likely to follow through with wearing them when parents aren’t around to supervise them.
Contact Jerger Pediatric Dentistry
If your child participates in sports, they require protection for their mouth and teeth. Instead of searching for a “dentist near me,” call Jerger Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment. We'll take impressions of your child’s teeth and customize a high-quality, durable sports guard to protect their precious smile from harm.
Your child's lifelong relationship with their oral health starts at a very young age. Every basic tooth cleaning provides benefits to your child, no matter what age they are.
Your child's pediatric visits with Dr. Bret Jerger include dental cleaning, digital x-rays, exams, and fluoride treatment all work to track and maintain your child's oral health, along with preventing tooth decay and infection.
The Benefit of Dental Cleanings in Decatur, IL
- Prevents tooth decay and cavities by eliminating plaque. Your child's precious enamel can be protected with dental cleanings and protective treatments to prevent the build-up of plaque
- Reduces the risk of tooth loss by slowing the build-up of plaque. When children lose their baby teeth prematurely, it can cause lifelong dental problems
- Prevents teeth from staining or appearing yellow
- Keeps your child's breath fresh by ensuring there are no oral health issues that cause bad breath
- Reduces the risk of disease, infection, and tooth decay
- Lowers costs by identifying issues early before they become costly
Call Us Today to Arrange Your Child's Next Teeth Cleaning
There are numerous advantages to making sure your child maintains their dental cleanings, especially when it comes to preventing future dental problems that can cause lifelong issues.
At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry, there's no such thing as introducing your baby to their oral health too soon. Even before their baby teeth emerge, we advise that parents gently run a wet cloth over their child's gums to remove any plaque.
Call Dr. Bret Jerger in Decatur, IL, to arrange your child's next dental cleaning and keep them in step with excellent oral health.
As a parent, it might be easy to overlook your child's early oral health needs, especially if they don't even have teeth yet!
In truth, it's not a bad idea to get your baby used to the importance of a clean mouth. Even before their teeth begin to emerge, parents can take a soft cloth and gently wipe their child's gums. As soon as their teeth start to erupt, we recommend beginning regular dental visits and dental cleanings with your dentist in Decatur, IL.
Dr. Bret Jerger can help parents practice proper oral care in the comfort of their home in between dental 
visits.
By starting early, we can help our children develop lifelong healthy habits.
How Often Does My Child Need a Dental Cleaning?
According to the American Dental Association, routine dental cleanings are recommended every six months as soon as your baby's teeth first start to emerge.
If your child has oral health problems or recurrent tooth decay or infection, we may recommend more frequent dental visits.
Dental cleanings in Decatur, IL allow us to detect any abnormal dental health issues, recommend preventive treatments like dental sealants or fluoride supplements, and teach your child how to brush and floss properly.
Schedule Your Child's Next Dental Cleaning in Decatur, IL
Your child's oral health is extremely important, and their lifetime relationship with their teeth and gums starts with their family and dentist. Dental cleanings in Decatur, IL allow us to keep your child healthy, strong, and informed about their dental health.
Call our friendly dental team today, and we will put you down for your next dental check-up and exam!
Your child’s dentist in Decatur, IL provides preventive treatments to help your child maintain excellent oral health and lower their risks for preventable conditions,
including cavities.
For older children, we can professionally clean their teeth to get rid of cavity-causing tartar and plaque. However, some children require a little extra assistance, which is where dental sealants come in.
How Do Dental Sealants Work?
A dental sealant is applied over your child’s teeth where it places a barrier between debris and their tooth’s enamel. With a dental sealant, it is difficult for tartar and plaque to form and cause tooth decay.
Your child’s dentist can also apply a fluoride treatment to help strengthen your child’s tooth enamel.
At your child’s six-month checkups, your dentist will always check the integrity of the dental sealant to make sure it is intact. Typically, a dental sealant will last for several years, continuing to reduce cavity risks.
For Dental Sealants in Decatur, IL Contact Us
Helping your child achieve and maintain a healthy smile is the top goal of our dentist and the dental team. So if you would like to establish dentistry with us, or if it’s time for your child’s next checkup, give us a call today.
Also, reach out for further information about our dental sealants.
At Jerger Pediatric Dentistry, we believe baby teeth lay the foundation in your child’s mouth that welcomes their permanent teeth later. From the time your child’s first tooth erupts, he or she must learn proper dental hygiene. When children learn how to clean and care for their mouths properly, it translates to a lifetime of happy smiles and healthy teeth.
Our Dental Team Can Help Keep Your Child's Oral Health On Track
Your child’s baby teeth affect how their permanent teeth grow and develop, and failure to care for your child’s baby teeth can cause damage or decay, which could mean unnecessary time spent with your children's dentist in Decatur, IL.
Bottles, pacifiers, and thumb-sucking can also cause damage and changes in children’s mouths, so it is important to discuss any of these concerns with your children's dentist in Decatur, IL. We can help you make sure that your child’s baby teeth are working the way they are supposed to work.
We Can't Wait to Help Treat Your Child
When looking for a dentist near me, it's important to find someone that offers comprehensive pediatric dental care with a gentle and compassionate touch. Our friendly dental staff works hard to make every dental visit as welcoming and friendly as possible.
We help parents navigate their child's oral health to complement professional dental cleanings in Decatur, IL. This helps set the stage for a successful dental future.