Pediatric Dental Health

Studies show that children with poor oral health have decreased school performance, poor social relationships and less success later in life. Children experiencing pain from decayed teeth are distracted and unable to concentrate on schoolwork.

Importance of Primary Teeth (Baby) Teeth

It is very important that primary teeth are maintained until they are lost naturally. These teeth serve a number of critical functions. Primary teeth:

• Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly.
• Are involved in speech development.
• Help the permanent teeth by saving space for them.
• Improved general health. Disease in the mouth can endanger the rest of the body.
• Self-confidence: A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others.

Finally, by maintaining and treating primary teeth early means less extensive, and less expensive, treatment for your child.

Infants and Children

Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits. We want to share with you the latest available methods for keeping your child healthy and safe.

Preventive dentistry begins with the first tooth. Visit our office when the first tooth comes in. You will learn how to protect your infant’s dental health. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental disease and helping your child belong to the cavity-free generation.

At the first visit we will present:

• A program of preventive home care including brushing, flossing, diet and the importance and correct use of fluorides.
• A caries risk assessment.
• Information about Early Childhood Caries, which may be due to inappropriate nursing habits or inappropriate use of sippy cups.
• The latest facts about finger, thumb and pacifier habits.
• What you need to know about preventing injuries to the mouth and teeth.
• Information on growth and development.

Adolescents

Appearance and self-image are very important to adolescents. Decayed or poorly positioned teeth or jaws may make them more self-conscious. Teens also eat frequently, and unhealthy snack foods tend to become a major part of their regular diet. We provide a professional, sensitive and caring approach to restoring and guiding teeth, and teaching preventive dental health care through the teen’s high school years. When necessary, we will provide information on sealants, oral piercing, wisdom teeth, missing teeth and tobacco use.

Special Needs

An integral part of our education is concerned with the medical and dental health of the special patient. People with significant medical, physical, or mental disabilities often present unique challenges. Our training allows us to address their special needs and provide the best care possible.

Parents Participation in Treatment

We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination. During future appointments, we suggest you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. We can usually establish a closer rapport with your child when you are not present. Our purpose, is the same as yours, to gain your child’s confidence and overcome any apprehension. However, if you choose, you are certainly welcome to accompany your child to the treatment area. For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.