Pediatric Dentistry

We believe dental visits should be enjoyable! 

Our office makes a special effort to create a child-friendly environment with specially trained doctors and staff to guide your child through their appointment in a positive, memorable way. We want you and your child to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends

Children should visit the dentist by their first birthday or when the first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. It is important that your son or daughter’s newly erupted teeth (which appear between six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

Getting to know your teeth is fun!

Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit!

When new teeth arrive

Your child’s primary or “baby” teeth will begin to emerge between the ages of six to 12 months, and continue to appear until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore.

To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. We do not recommend the use of topical numbing gels.

Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).

Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits

As your little one’s teeth emerge, be sure to examine them every two weeks, and look for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your son or daughter brushes the teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing two times a day for optimal oral hygiene.

Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

For children under age 1, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by our dentists or another healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and we will discuss with you the right time to start flossing your child’s teeth. If you notice signs of decay, contact our office immediately.

You can make daily brushing and flossing fun by singing a song or reciting a poem. Check out this fun Elmo video to help get your child excited about brushing his/her teeth.

Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in the mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit our office every six months for a preventive care visit that includes a check-up, cleaning, and fluoride. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year, along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.

Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, and prevent decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your child’s regular checkups.