Children’s Dentistry

In connecting with children, we believe that everything must pass through the prism of TRUST. Gaining a child’s trust is key to making their dental visits positive, and we make that our primary focus. We accomplish this in many ways.

• Meeting children on their level

  We believe that in order to connect with a child, we need to make things understandable to them, and make them a participant in the appointment. We believe in making sure there are no surprises for the child during their visit, and so we do a LOT of “tell, show, do” – which means that every step is not only verbally explained, but shown to the child before we do it. This has helped to gain a child’s trust immeasurably, because they come to realize that we are honest and stick to our word…no surprises. They feel safe.

• Having fun!

  While we are very serious about our work, we do not take ourselves too seriously! Having fun is a top priority in our office. You will often see us making silly faces, telling jokes, and even “accidentally” spraying ourselves with water…anything to get a smile out of a child! There’s something about making a child laugh that immediately relaxes them, and therefore leads to them feeling more comfortable under our care.

• Providing one-on-one attention

  We realize that every child is unique, and therefore every child’s needs are unique. Although we have a routine for each visit, we allow the freedom for the appointment to flow based upon the child’s needs at that time.

• Hands-On Learning Lab

  We are currently working on the development of our very own “Hands-On Learning Lab” for children. The lab will offer ways for children to learn about dental health – such as being able to see what soda really does to teeth, how to best brush their teeth, and even allow them exposure to all of the careers dentistry has to offer! Stay tuned for this exciting addition to our practice!

Oral Health

It is our desire for every child to grow up cavity-free, and we have some great advice on how to get there. Here are some recommendations:

• Healthy diet – A well-balanced meal is not only good for overall body health, but for keeping balance in the oral environment, which discourages the prevalence of acid-producing bacteria that cause cavities.
• Good oral hygiene – Children need to brush at least twice a day, and floss once daily. We encourage parents to still help their children brush and floss, even as the children get a little older. There are also plaque-detecting rinses available that help to show areas that are being missed during brushing.
• Regular dental check-ups – By seeing us every 6 months, we can stay ahead of any potential changes relating to our patients’ dental health, and offer conservative treatments to remedy them. Also, our patients remain comfortable in our care, which promotes a lifetime of dental maintenance.
• Tooth sealants and preventive fillings – These are valuable in eliminating the growth of decay in deep grooved areas in the teeth. Groovy areas provide many nooks and crannies for bacteria to settle, so sealing them at a young age is very beneficial.
• Regular fluoride treatments – Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the enamel and help fight against the effects of cavity-causing bacteria. We recommend that all children have a professional fluoride treatment at each cleaning appointment.
• Fluoridated water – Fluoride in the water is taken up systemically and incorporated into the developing enamel, also important during the enamel formation years (up to age 8). However, you must check with your water provider to find out what the level of fluoridation is. Children can receive too much fluoride, which can actually weaken teeth. The recommended level of water fluoridation is 1 part per million (1ppm). If you have any questions, please ask us at your next dental visit, or talk to your pediatrician.

Systemic Health

We believe in treating the whole child, not just the teeth. We accomplish this goal by truly providing our patients with a comprehensive approach to dental care. We are trained to screen not only for problems relating to the teeth – but in looking beyond that into systemic conditions that can affect both dental and overall wellness. Our doctors also team up with the local pediatricians to stay current on the latest news relating to pediatric care.

Some areas that we have expanded our training include:

• Sleep/Breathing Disorders
• Gastric-Esophageal Reflux

Growth and Development

Tracking growth and development is very important when caring for children. Not only in making sure that all developmental milestones are reached, but also in knowing the appropriate times to introduce orthodontic care.

Education for a lifetime

We are passionate about educating our patients so that they can grow and mature with not only minimal dental problems, but a firm understanding on what steps they need to take to ensure it stays that way. When children transition into adulthood free of fear and full of understanding, they are set up for a bright dental future…which is what we strive for!

We recommend that a child’s first dental visit occur within 6 months of the first tooth erupting, or at the age of 12 months – whichever comes first. This time is ideal because it allows us to carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth, and make sure they are on track with their growth. Additionally, we can educate parents and help them take preventative steps to ensure that their child grows up healthy. We also believe that starting visits to the dentist at a young age helps children.