There’s nothing a parent loves more than their child’s bright
smile. Unfortunately, many children will have their smiles harmed by tooth
decay. This infectious disease affects more than 40% of children—but
it doesn’t have to.
The first few years of your child’s life are critical for building
good dental habits, preventing tooth pain, and establishing a foundation
of good oral health. Our pediatric dentists offer comprehensive dental
care and work with your child’s pediatrician to ensure our approach
promotes your child’s great oral health and total wellness.
We offer the following services in pediatrics:
Comprehensive Exams & Diagnosis
Fillings & Crowns for Children
Root Canals for Children & Teens
Sealants
Cosmetic Procedures
Emergency & Trauma-Related Care
Mouthguards
Space Maintainer
Coordinating Care with Our
Orthodontists for Braces & Invisalign
When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Appointment
Many parents are surprised to find that their children should see the dentist
at a much younger age than they first expected. We typically recommend
that a child’s first dental appointment be scheduled around their
first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in, whichever
event happens first. Starting your child’s dental care early can
help avoid serious oral health complications later.
What to Expect at a Pediatric Dental Appointment
Most children don’t need extensive exams or treatment after their
first baby tooth comes in, so we use early visits as an opportunity to
create a positive experience that will help your child feel comfortable
visiting the dentist.
How Often Will My Child Need to See a Pediatric Dentist?
Like adults, children can benefit from seeing the dentist once every six
months. Pediatric dental appointments will become more frequent if your
child has specific oral health needs or concerns like tooth decay or misaligned teeth.
How is Pediatric Dental Care Different from Adult Dentistry?
Many adult dentistry treatments are meant to do just that: treat an oral
health concern. On the other hand, many pediatric dental care options
are focused on preventative care. We want to help your child’s teeth
stay healthy, so the risk of an oral health concern remains low.
Pediatric dental care is also different from adult dental care in the way
that our friendly team can make each appointment more fun for your child.
We can complete all sorts of pediatric dental treatments while also making
sure your child is happy and comfortable. Of course, we do the same for
our adult patients, but the presentation might look a little different
when we’re seeing a four-year-old compared to a forty-year-old.
How to Prepare Your Child for Visiting the Dentist
Children who haven’t been to the dentist before or often might be
a little scared to go. There are also plenty of shows, movies, and games
that teach kids that the dentist’s office is a spooky place. As
a result, you might have to prepare your child for their visit to the
dentist, so they can expect to enjoy it.
To help prepare your child for the dentist, you should:
Stay positive about the situation because your children will often mirror
your emotions.
Use positive reinforcement throughout the visit, like congratulating them
for getting their teeth cleaned.
Bring one of their favorite toys to play with in the waiting room.
Read stories before the visit about how fun the dentist can be.
How to Teach Your Child to Care for Their Teeth
Dental care is important to you, but a young child might not realize its
importance so easily. Most parents will have to take deliberate steps
to teach their children the importance of caring for their teeth.
Five quick tips for parents about teaching their children good oral health
habits are:
Teach them how to brush their teeth early.
Brush your teeth with them often so they know it is fun and something even
grownups do.
When they get a little older, let them pick out their own toothpaste and
toothbrush.
Always compliment their brushing skills while correcting any issues that you see.
Work with a pediatric dentist who also knows how to make brushing fun.
Pick ProHEALTH Dental for Pediatric Dentistry Today
ProHEALTH Dental has a network of dental offices throughout New York and
New Jersey, each one affiliated with a large medical group or healthcare
system. When you want to find a reliable and friendly pediatric dentist
office for your child’s dental care, we make it simple and convenient!
We welcome children with medical or special needs, and all our offices
are handicap accessible.
Request an appointment to experience the difference of integrated pediatric dental care!
Pediatric Dentistry FAQ
When will my baby start getting teeth?
Babies usually get their teeth around 6 months. Typically, the bottom incisors
in the front are the first to appear. More teeth will appear gradually,
often taking another 6 months to finish appearing.
Why care for baby teeth?
Some adults wonder if it is worth caring for a child’s baby teeth
if they are going to be replaced by adult teeth eventually anyway. Baby
teeth need care because neglecting them could result in tooth decay, gum
disease, and other oral health problems.
At what age do children stop going to a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists usually see their child patients from the first time
a tooth appears until the age of 18. Some parents will choose to switch
their children to a general dentist in their late teens, though.
Should my child have an early orthodontic evaluation?
A full orthodontic evaluation for your child should be completed before
they turn 7. This evaluation can help our pediatric dentists catch early
signs of potential issues, which makes them more manageable.
When should my child begin using toothpaste and how much should we use?
If your child has teeth, then they can benefit from pediatric toothpaste.
We usually recommend avoiding toothpaste with fluoride until age 2. For
a child’s toothbrush, only a thin smear of toothpaste is needed
for each brushing.
Can I stay with my child during the visit?
ProHEALTH Dental is all about making our patients happy and comfortable,
which is why we encourage you to stay with your child throughout their
dental appointment. From routine checkups to specialized pediatric dental
treatments, you can stay by their side.
"The staff was very thorough in using the most recent technology to assess the health of my teeth and gums. As a nurse, feeling confident in the care my dental ..."
