Welcome to Our Website! Welcome to Kids Grins. We are pleased that you have chosen to visit our website for information about pediatric dentistry and our practice. Our goal is to provide all families with quality dental care in a caring, calm, and child friendly setting. Our dentist and staff have the training and experience in providing primary and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants through adolescence including those with special needs.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call us.

Why choose a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric Dentists professional education includes two to three years of specialized study after becoming a dentist.  This education emphasizes child psychology, growth and development.  Infants, preschoolers, children, and adolescents each need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.  Pediatric dentists take a large number of continuing education courses each year to provide the latest and the best oral care treatment for your child.

FIRST DENTAL VISIT

Tooth decay isn't the only reason for a dental visit. The doctor provides an ongoing assessment of changes in your child's oral health. For example, your child may need additional fluoride, dietary changes, or sealants for ideal dental health. Our pediatric dentist may identify orthodontic problems and suggest treatment to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children should have their baby teeth looked at by a child dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or around one year of age.  We want your child's first visit to the dentist to be an enriching and educational experience.  Our pediatric dentist will review your child's medical and dental history.  Your child's entire mouth will be gently examined.  The teeth will be cleaned and polished, followed by the application of a fluoride solution.

We would like for our staff to accompany your child through their dental experiences.  We want to establish a sense of trust and confidence with your child which occurs more easily when the parent is not present. However, if you choose, you may come with your child to the treatment room. Due to federal privacy regulations,  other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult. 

All of our staff have experience and advanced education in behavioral management of anxious children.  We understand as a parent that it is difficult to see your child exhibit anxious or tearful behavior and will take all steps necessary to assure that your child is treated with the up most care and kindness. 

DENTAL X-RAYS

Radiographs (X-Rays) are an important diagnostic tool that the pediatric dentist uses to detect dental conditions not visible during the oral examination.  Besides detecting cavities, x-rays are used for determining the extent of tooth injury, pain, and bone diseases.   The risk of exposure to radiation is minimal with our equipment and technique.  

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographs and examinations every six months for children with a high risk of tooth decay. Generally, x-rays are taken once a year.

SEALANTS

A dental sealant is a plastic, professionally-applied material that is put on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to prevent cavities. Sealants provide a physical barrier so that cavity-causing bacteria cannot invade the  chewing surfaces of teeth.   Placing sealants on these teeth shortly after they erupt protects them from developing caries in areas of the teeth where food and bacteria collect.

FLUORIDE

Fluoride is an element, which can be used to strengthen teeth and resist cavities.  Fluoride is found in powdered concentrate infant formula, soy-based infant formula, infant dry cereals, creamed spinach, and infant chicken products.  It is also found in juice drinks.  Excessive fluoride ingestion by preschool-aged children can lead to dental fluorosis, which is a chalky white to even brown discoloration of the permanent teeth. Parents should check with your pediatrician or our pediatric dentist before giving your child fluoride supplements or fluoride fortified vitamins, especially if your child is less than six months old.  Use a baby tooth cleanser on the toothbrush for very young children, and only a pea sized drop of children’s toothpaste after the child is old enough not to swallow it.