Dentistry For Children

Should you choose a Pediatric Dentist?

Our staff is dedicated to making every member of the family, especially children feel safe, comfortable, and relaxed during their visit. We have pediatric specialists who know specific techniques to calm children. Dr. Heath and his team make it a priority to create lasting relationships with all of our patients. We want you to feel like you're going to see a friend each time you visit us. 

Can you tell me more about a Pediatric Dentist?

We believe the foundation of good oral health is education and instilling proper oral habits early on. Our practice gives children an environment where they can ask questions and learn to associate the dentist with fun. Our pediatric specialists have two to three years of training to make children feel as comfortable as possible. During this additional schooling, they learn various calming techniques and learn how to assist children with special needs. We are thrilled to have such gentle, kind, and attentive group of pediatric specialists on our team. 

What dental problems could my child have?

Many individuals don’t realize it, but dental issues can develop at a young age. Among these problems, tooth decay and gum disease are major concerns. These are commonly caused by a child sleeping with their bottle of breastfeeding for too long. A staggering 40 percent of children have some inflammation in their gums. You should monitor your child is they have habits such as sucking their thumbs or grinding their teeth because these can lead to other issues and even spread to their permanent teeth. We suggest bringing your child in for a checkup as soon as you can. By setting good oral habits early on, we reduce the risk of oral issues in the future. Strong teeth are important for your children’s speech development, bite, and the appearance of their smile.

Should baby teeth be treated the same as adult teeth?

Strong primary teeth are essential in the development of permanent teeth. If your child has any oral issues such as tooth decay, it can spread to their adult teeth and potentially jeopardize their oral and overall health. There are a number of reasons your child can lose their teeth too soon. If they do, their adult teeth may grow in crooked and require costly procedures in the future. Many permanent molars don’t surface until your child is between the ages of 10-14. Meaning, they need strong primary teeth for daily functions until their teen years.

Should I prepare my child for their first visit?

You can prepare your child for their first visit as you would their first time getting a haircut. You can explain that this is something everyone needs to do in order to be healthy. We highly suggest reading them books about the dentist so they can become familiar with some vocabulary and the idea of the dentist. You are also welcome to take a tour of our office and let your child meet our staff before their first appointment. We are happy to help in any way we can to get your child comfortable and excited about their visit. 

Do children need preventative care?

It is just as important for children to receive preventative care as it is for adults. Recent advancements in dental technology allow us to protect your child’s teeth better and easier than ever. We proudly offer dental sealants as a preventative treatment option. These are great for children or teens who already have cavities. It not only shields the tooth that's been sealed but the surrounding teeth as well. This of is just one of the several treatments we offer to protect your child from costly and painful oral problems in the future.