Kids Dentistry

Set a good example of daily brushing and flossing for them.  Make it fun.  Teach your child that visiting the dentist is a necessity  and that we will take care of his or her teeth so that they are strong and healthy enough to eat with.

As soon as your child has their first tooth you can introduce them to a kid dentist, but generally when your child is old enough to talk in simple phrases and has all their baby teeth is a good time to begin regular check ups.  This is also wise because children can sometimes fall and damage their baby teeth when learning to walk, for example, and you’ll be prepared with a good children's emergency dentist ahead of time.

Yes, you can use toothpaste with your child while they still have their baby teeth.  Before your child is able to spit on their own, you can use good-tasting toothpaste or oral gel that is safe to be swallowed.  Once they are able to resist the urge to swallow while brushing and can spit on their own, generally around age 3, you can introduce a kid’s toothpaste with fluoride. Always avoid strong or minty toothpastes that might be too strong for your child’s sensitive mouth, risking a traumatizing experience.

This depends on what experiences your child has already had.  If they have never visited a dentist for kids before then bring them in to meet our kid friendly dentist for a fun introduction.  If they seem to be afraid of the unknown, you can play pretend with them – you be the dentist and then let your child be the dentist.  All you need is a toothbrush. Keep it simple and avoid unnecessary details or scary words like ‘shots’, ‘hurt’, ‘pain’, and instead say that the kids’ dentist will be helping to clean off any sugar bugs they find on their teeth.  Don’t bribe or promise them a treat if they are brave or behave well at the dentist’s office.  While this might seem like it should work, it actually can increase apprehension because they may sense that there will be something unpleasant there.  Let the dentist the do the rewarding and praising in the moment.

The goal of children's dentistry and orthodontics is to place and maintain teeth in a healthy, functional position. Deciding when your child could benefit from braces is a common question for parents, but many are not aware that there are several options available when it comes to the type of orthodontic treatment; each has unique pros and cons. Some choices, along with traditional metal braces, include ceramic braces, Invisalign® aligners, lingual braces, retainers and expanders, to name a few. Which one is best? Your child’s dentist and pediatric orthodontist will be able to assess your child's needs and recommend the best options. Then you'll need to weigh those options based on costs, comfort and appearance, and how long the treatment will be.