It’s time to start preparing for the back-to-school frenzy! Until school starts back, you’ll be busy taking the kids shopping for school supplies and clothes and making sure everything they need is ready. The Smile Center can’t help you do that, but we can help your kids get their smiles ready for the new school year! Our Murrells Inlet family dentists can help your whole family get better smiles with a wide range of services.

To see how, take a look below at just a few things we can do to get smiles healthier and more attractive. Then call us to set up appointments soon! We’re located in Murrells Inlet and Georgetown for your convenience.

Keep Teeth Looking Bright with Preventive Dental Services

We recommend coming in twice a year for regular checkups . We’ll take great care to ensure your children’s teeth are as clean as a whistle! Digital X-rays help us spot any problem areas in detail, plus our DIAGNOdent cavity detector aids in finding even tiny cavities. We’ll leave no stone unturned when it comes to your kids’ smiles.

Your children will get a gentle but thorough cleaning when they come in for their checkup. Even older kids may not be very careful to clean every surface of their teeth (and often don’t floss), but a skilled dental professional can get in all the nooks and crannies to help eliminate bacteria and surface stains. We may also recommend fluoride treatments and sealants to protect their teeth throughout the school year!

Kids feel at ease at our office and with our friendly staff, so going to the dentist doesn’t have to feel like something bad. They’ll like that their teeth look shiny and clean afterward. And your little ones get to pick from our treasure chest at the end of their cleaning!

Leave No Evidence with Our Tooth-Colored Fillings

Around half of all kids age 11 and under have had a cavity , or more. We don’t want to leave those untreated (about half of them are), so we’ll use composite fillings to repair any damage from tooth decay.

At The Smile Center, we don’t even have to numb your kids for fillings. We use what’s called air abrasion, an alternative to the dental drill, to remove decay. Even though this helps kids (and adults!) relax, it can’t hurt to have a TV with kids’ shows to watch while we do the work.

One of the things especially older kids like about our fillings is that they’re metal-free. That means they don’t have “evidence” of their tooth decay afterward. These fillings blend in with their teeth instead of leaving silver or dark marks behind. It’s like nothing ever happened!

If we ever have to administer local anesthesia, we use The Wand®. This is a painless way to do so, and it doesn’t make your mouth numb for long after the procedure.

Wear Athletic Mouthguards That Fit Right

Will your kids be involved in after-school sports this year? What about other athletic activities – at home or otherwise? Make sure their smiles stay in tact with our custom athletic mouthguards .

A sports guard that fits well is more likely to be worn and can provide superior protection. Our office has seen a lot of dental emergencies that could have been prevented with this simple mouthpiece.

Stop Thumb-Sucking Habits

Even in kindergarten or first grade, some kids still have a problem with thumb sucking. Although this habit is not a big deal when children are small, it can potentially cause problems with dental development if it’s not stopped later. Often, peer pressure at school can be enough to break the habit.

If you’re concerned your child is too old for thumb sucking, let us help with either a little advice or a thumb-sucking appliance. Ask about it at your child’s next visit.

Straighten Teeth Without Embarrassment Using Invisalign

We’ve found that younger kids don’t seem to mind braces. Older teens, however, can be a different story. We offer Invisalign clear aligners to straighten teeth without metal braces. Here’s what teens (and adults!) like about these removable clear braces:

  • No food to get stuck in their braces while eating around people
  • No diet restrictions – so they can enjoy the same food as everyone else
  • No metal on their teeth
  • No extra time or tools for cleaning out brackets and wires
  • Fewer visits to the dentist for progress reports and therefore less time away from school
  • Discreet, almost invisible aligners that most people don’t notice
  • Removable aligners that can be taken out for pictures, dates, dances, and other special occasions (as long as they’re worn at least 20-22 hours a day)
  • Less discomfort than braces
  • Often less time in aligners than braces require – your teen could be done with orthodontic care this time next year

With two convenient offices, modern dental care, and an in-house benefits plan, families can have better smiles easily! Call 843-492-5026 for (Georgetown) or 843-491-5353 for (Murrells Inlet) to schedule appointments before school starts back.

And don’t forget about yourself! Aside from preventive care, we offer cosmetic dentistry and much more.