Pediatric Dentistry

Teaching your kids the right way to take care of their smile is very important. Many dentists recommend starting early to give your children plenty of time to develop good oral hygiene habits to keep their teeth clean & cavity-free at a time in life when they should be able to focus on growing & learning.

The American Dental Association recommends taking your child to his or her first dental exam within 6 months of when they get their first tooth. This might seem early, but it’s never too early to start forming a positive relationship with a dentist! Plus, children who have a good relationship with their dentist are more likely to be well-behaved at dental visits & form good dental habits that prevent costly dental work in the future.

At those early appointments, we can show you how to care for your child’s teeth. We can also talk about things that can support dental health, like fluoride & diet choices. As your child grows, their appointments will start to look similar to your own regular visits, with cleanings & cavity checks. Regular visits also allow us to track your child’s dental needs so we can develop a personalized dental plan as they grow.

Many parents wonder why it’s important to take care of their children’s baby teeth (or as we call them, primary teeth) when they will just be replaced with adult teeth in a few years or less. Besides the importance of children learning good dental habits to carry with them through their lives, teeth are essential for speaking & eating. Children with bad or missing teeth may have trouble speaking with confidence or eating the food they need to grow. Additionally, poor dental health is one of the main reasons children miss school—think about how hard it is to concentrate on work or to get quality sleep when you have a toothache!

Children’s dentistry focuses on giving children the tools they need to have healthy teeth so they can live without fear of aches & issues. Integral to this mission is prevention. Fluoride treatments are excellent for supplementing oral hygiene habits & preventing tooth decay. While fluoride is commonly present in drinking water, regular fluoride treatments can help children stay ahead of the curve in protecting their teeth. Similarly, sealants may be recommended to cover & protect the teeth most vulnerable to bacteria. However, neither fluoride nor sealants are a replacement for daily brushing & flossing!

We understand that children have different needs & sensitivities than adults & we address them all. Adults want the best technology, the most informed doctors & the highest-quality care. While all these are important when caring for kids, they also require special attention in order to feel comfortable & respected. We offer the best of both worlds. Our dentists have extensive experience working with children & teens, so we can make the dental experience more enjoyable for everyone. By making kids comfortable with dentistry at a younger age, they’ll have the correct knowledge to provide them with a lifetime of excellent dental health! Call us for your child’s appointment today!