Child Dentistry

Our child dentistry services focus on keeping your little one’s teeth, gums, and smile healthy while creating a positive, fun dental experience.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that a child’s first dental visit occur by their first birthday. It is important to establish a dental home early so that your little one develops good oral health habits for years to come!

Your child’s first visit

The first dental visit is usually short and involves very little treatment. We may ask you to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the examination. We will gently examine your child’s teeth and gums. If your child allows, we will clean your child’s teeth and apply a topical fluoride to help protect the teeth against decay. Most important of all, we will review with you how to clean and care for your child’s teeth.

What should I tell my child about the first dental visit?

We are asked this question many times. You can review with them what the dentist will be doing at their first visit.

We love this video clip from PBS KIDS, where Daniel Tiger visits his dentist for a cleaning. It is great visual representation for kids to learn what to expect and that going to the dentist can be fun!

What about preventative care?

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand in hand. Once your child has their first set of permanent molars, we will recommend they receive dental sealants. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

Most of the time, cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing. Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help.

Tips for cavity prevention

Limit frequency of meals and snacks
Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing – if your child is younger, we recommend parents assist them
Watch what your child drinks – avoid juices
Avoid giving your child sticky foods
Choose nutritious snacks

when should i expect my child to get their teeth?

The first baby teeth that come into the mouth are the two bottom front teeth. You will notice this when your baby is about 6-8 months old. Next to follow will be the 4 upper front teeth and the remainder of your baby’s teeth will appear periodically. They will usually appear in pairs along the sides of the jaw until the child is about 2 1/2 years old.

At around 2 1/2 years old, your child should have all 20 primary teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 6, your child will lose their first tooth and the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Every child is different – don’t worry if some teeth are a few months early or late!