Building a Good Foundation

You can reap the benefits of keeping your child’s dental health up until adulthood, as primary (baby) teeth play some crucial roles!

Primary teeth guide the growth of adult teeth, holding the space into which these new teeth will come in. The crowns (tops) of the permanent teeth push against the roots of the baby teeth, causing them to melt away. In this way, the adult teeth can take their proper place.

For the first six years, primary teeth help with biting, chewing and speaking. Until around age 12, your child will have a mix of primary and permanent teeth. You will want to make sure those teeth stay healthy and are lost naturally — when it’s time.

Your Child’s First Teeth

Baby teeth usually start appearing between the ages of six and nine months, though in some cases, they may appear as early as three months or as late as twelve months. First, the lower front teeth emerge, followed by the upper ones. Next, the first molars appear, followed by the canines. When your child is teething, use a gauze pad or damp washcloth to soothe the gums and new teeth.

Daily Brushing Routine

We recommend that you start brushing your child’s teeth daily around age 2 with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and no more than a thin layer of fluoridated toothpaste. Until age 6, your child may need your help with this critical task.

When Does My Child Need To See a Dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should see a dentist by their first birthday to ensure progress is being made. The enamel layer of a child’s tooth can rapidly degrade, causing the softer core to be exposed within six months.

Pediatric Dental Care Treatments

We offer a wide variety of orthodontics for kids to help prevent tooth decay. These include:

Topical Fluoride

Fluoride strengthens teeth and makes them more resistant to decay. For maximum protection, fluoride can be applied to your child’s teeth in a higher concentration, even though toothpaste and some water contain a small amount of fluoride already.

Dental Sealants

Plaster can be applied to the chewing surfaces to prevent cavities. Dental sealants offer many years of protection and are simple to apply.

Root Canal Treatment

We find that children sometimes need to get a root canal to save a severely decayed or injured tooth.

Bonding

Minor fractures and chips commonly happen to the front teeth in childhood and can be repaired with bonding materials to match the color of their teeth. 

Healthy Smile Habits

Our goal is to ensure your child’s smile remains healthy as they grow. In addition, we want children to learn and develop consistent oral hygiene habits.

Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning)

Your child will receive a gentle and thorough dental cleaning at their six-month appointment to help prevent cavities and promote good dental health.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

We fill cavities with composite fillings made from tooth-colored resin when necessary. Fillings blend seamlessly with the natural color of teeth.

Cavity Treatment

Our services can help children with cavities, the most common and preventable childhood disease.

Dental Sealants

A dental sealant is applied gently to the tooth enamel to protect it from plaque and decay and prevent cavities.

Tooth Extractions

Occasionally, we remove a tooth if it has decay, disease, trauma or may interfere with normal oral development.

Dental Emergencies for Kids

Whether your child’s pain requires immediate attention is up to you. Please call us if you are unsure.

Orthodontic Evaluation

Your child’s needs for orthodontic treatment will be assessed as they grow.

Child-Friendly Sedation

To help your child feel relaxed and at ease, we offer sedation options tailored to your child’s specific needs. Parents can feel at ease as well, knowing that sedation is an entirely safe option for their child and available even for basic items such as teeth cleanings. 

Restorative Treatment

The goal of pediatric restorative dentistry is to restore a child’s smile’s appearance, function and health following tooth damage.