Pediatric Dentistry in [GEOID_STATE]

Your baby might have the most adorable toothless smile—but those little gums need dental care, too. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child to the dentist no later than your child’s first birthday to start on the path to good dental health.

Even if your child is older, our pediatric dentist in [CITY] looks forward to shepherding your child through the ups and downs of dealing with baby teeth all the way through ensuring those permanent teeth are at their best.

We tend to think of cavities as something most children get, but tooth decay in children shouldn’t be taken lightly. Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States, surpassing asthma, diabetes, and early-childhood obesity. That’s an astonishing statistic considering how preventable it is. Statistics show about one in five children between the ages of 5 and 11 have at least one untreated cavity, and 13% of teenagers between the ages of 12 and 19 have at least one tooth with dental decay.

Left untreated, tooth decay causes problems beyond pain and cavities. Severe tooth decay can lead to an infection and affect a child’s speech, sleeping, learning, eating, and overall physical development. It can also negatively impact the child’s self-esteem because they may not want to smile or socialize as much.

Our pediatric dentist has the compassionate skillset to meet your child’s dental needs and work with you to help keep your youngster’s smile healthy.

Here are some of the dental treatments for children that we provide:

Teeth Cleanings for Children in [GEOID]

A cleaning removes cavity-causing plaque—but all those dental instruments can seem scary to young children. Our experienced pediatric dentist and hygienists know how to talk your child through that first gentle cleaning and can help even older kids feel at ease.

Topical Fluoride

We use topical fluoride to strengthen the teeth’s surface and make them more resistant to decay. Consider it nature’s cavity fighter. Ours comes in flavors that kids enjoy.

Dental Sealants

Our permanent molars don’t come in until about ages 9 to 12—that’s a long time to wonder about whether those back teeth are being brushed well enough. Our pediatric dentist in [GEOID] can apply a sealant, or a safe plastic coating, to those rear teeth, sealing little grooves on the teeth’s chewing surfaces and keeping out food and bacteria. Sealants can last for years. Your child won’t taste them at all, and they’re painless to apply.

Fillings

If your child does have a cavity, we can guide your child through the process so that he or she is comfortable and not scared of the drill. We also offer tooth-colored fillings to keep your youngster’s smile bright.

Bonding

If your child gets a chip or a small fracture in a front tooth, we can restore that beautiful grin with tooth-colored bonding materials so he or she doesn’t feel self-conscious.

Pediatric Crowns

Sometimes a child does develop a cavity that’s too large for a filling, or has a tooth break or crack. Our pediatric dentist in [CITY] can install a tooth-colored crown to protect the tooth or place a crown on a tooth saved through root canal treatment. (We typically don’t want to remove a baby tooth unless it’s close to falling out naturally.)

Space Maintainers

If your child does lose a baby tooth because of dental decay, an accident, or another reason, then our pediatric dentist might place a space maintainer in your child’s mouth. This holds the space for the permanent tooth to grown in as it should, so the surrounding teeth don’t shift into the empty space. It also can help with pre-orthodontic treatment.

Mouthguards

If your child plays sports, our pediatric dentist in [CITY] can create a custom-made mouthguard that’s more comfortable than the boil-and-bite kind available from sports stores—and will protect your child’s teeth better. The American Dental Association recommends that people protect their teeth with a mouthguard if they’re involved in athletics, whether basketball, boxing, football, skateboarding, field hockey, gymnastics, martial arts, or wrestling. Reassure your child that wearing it feels a lot better than having a tooth knocked out.

Emergency Dental Services for Children

If you child does knock out a tooth, or even chips a tooth or knocks one loose, we’re here to help. Call our office in [CITY] at [PHONE_LINK] for emergency dental care.