Developmental Process

Pre Natal

Some women experience dental problems themselves during pregnancy brought on by increasing the amount of times they snack (especially on snacks with sugar which can cause tooth decay) or by hormonal changes which can make gums more sensitive to swelling and/or bleeding. If you are pregnant, it's important to remember that what you eat can also affect you and your baby.

For this reason your doctor may suggest you take vitamins and supplements — not only for your health, but for your baby's health. Did you know that baby teeth begin to form around the sixth or seventh week of pregnancy? And that adult teeth begin to form in the last months of pregnancy? A nutritious diet will help assure your unborn baby is getting the nutrients needed for development of healthy teeth and body.

Infants

Together with the American Academy of Pediatrics, we recommend that you bring your infant for a check-up by their first birthday. At this visit we will discuss in depth how to avoid common misconceptions and risks that may lead to dental disease.

Did you know that fruit juice and even milk can damage baby teeth? Or that habits such as prolonged thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use can lead to severe bite and/ or speech problems?

Formative Years

As your child grows, we encourage regular check-ups (typically, once every six months). This not only helps us monitor the development of your child's teeth; it helps your child grow accustomed to visiting our office and they become more receptive to treatment should he or she ever need it.

Check-ups allow us to spot early signs of cavities, gum disease, harmful oral habits, bite problems, as well as the normal pattern of the eruption of teeth. Since we provide interceptive orthodontic treatment, we can treat minor problems before they turn into major ones. Regular check-ups are important. Not only do we clean your child's teeth, we are also able to teach them proper brushing and flossing habits (including technique) so they can take their oral health into their own hands!

You may wonder, "Why are baby teeth so important if they're only going to fall out anyway?" That's a question we hear quite often. Baby teeth are more important than you think — early loss of baby teeth can lead to overcrowding and crooked adult teeth. In addition, when baby teeth are decayed and left untreated they may cause extensive pain and suffering.

Teens

As children grow older, and especially when they hit their teens, they become more concerned with appearance; an unattractive smile can make them self-conscious. We have special training so we are able to understand the special needs of teens and the emotional importance of a healthy smile. As much as we promote preventive dentistry, sometimes our restorative services are the best option to rejuvenate a smile.

Children with Special Needs

Our advanced training allows us to understand and work with children with special needs whether physical, emotional, or both, and makes us an ideal choice for their care. We are able to provide the special planning and treatment that may be required for chronically ill children and/or children with congenital heart disease, epilepsy, diabetes, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. Children with Down syndrome, oral clefts and other conditions may be more susceptible to delayed/accelerated tooth eruption, bite problems, missing/extra teeth, and other problems. Pediatric dentists have comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation, and anesthesia techniques so you can feel comfortable that your children will receive the best relaxation treatment based on their needs.

Regardless of the needs of your child, we maintain that the best treatment is preventive dentistry. Bring your child to our practice and we will plan a preventive program that will help your child enjoy a great smile.