Family Dentist in Temecula, CA

After-school appointments in Temecula

School-age smiles: sealants, sports and first molars

Anthem Dental - Temecula is open Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and the late close is what makes it work for families: a checkup after the school day ends, with time to spare. The office is off Overland Drive at 29049 Overland Dr, Suite C, Temecula, and sees families from Temecula, Murrieta, French Valley and Wildomar.

The permanent molars

The first permanent molars usually arrive around age six, well behind the baby teeth, and many parents do not realize they are permanent. Their chewing surfaces have deep grooves that trap food. A sealant — a thin protective coating painted into those grooves — is quick, needs no numbing, and is one of the most effective ways to keep them free of cavities. The second permanent molars, around age twelve, are sealed the same way.

Sports

A properly fitted mouthguard protects teeth during contact sports, and one that fits comfortably is one a child is more likely to keep in — ask at the checkup which type suits your child's sport. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, the first hour matters most: hold it by the crown, rinse it gently, put it back in the socket if you can or keep it in milk, and call immediately. A knocked-out baby tooth is different: never try to put it back, because doing so can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. Keep your child comfortable, press gauze on any bleeding, and call the office so the area can be checked.

Habits worth watching

• Sipping juice or sports drinks through the day keeps teeth bathed in sugar and acid.
• Thumb-sucking that continues as permanent teeth arrive can affect how they line up.
• Grinding at night, which parents often hear before children feel it.
• Bleeding gums when brushing, which usually means brushing needs more attention along the gumline.

Every child is seen by Dr. Henry Abraham and the same team, and parents can book their own checkups alongside. If your teenager plays a fall or spring sport, the checkup before the season starts is a good moment to talk about protection and to look at any teeth that have taken a knock before.

The adults in the family

Parents and grandparents: what a checkup here looks for

Children's teeth get most of the attention in a family, but adults' problems are quieter and slower. At an adult checkup at the Temecula office the dentist is watching for:

• Gum disease, which rarely hurts until it is advanced — measured at each cleaning.
• Old fillings and crowns that have cracked or begun to leak at the edges.
• Wear from grinding, which a night guard can protect against.
• Dry mouth from medication, which raises the risk of decay around the gumline.

Replacing a missing tooth

If a tooth has been lost, dental implants in Temecula and bridges are both done at this office, and the checkup is a good time to ask which suits you.

Getting here

The office is off Overland Drive at 29049 Overland Dr, Suite C, Temecula, within reach of Murrieta, French Valley and Wildomar by I-15.