Pediatric Dentist in Santa Clara, CA

Dental problems are quite common in children and are also one of the reasons that they tend to miss school. But this problem can be prevented. Regular checkups can help prevent any serious threat in the future, ensuring good oral health.

Pediatric dentistry is a specialized dental specialty that primarily takes care of children’s dental needs.

Does Dental Care for Children Starts At Home?

Dental care starts at home. The parents are advised to take good care of their children’s oral health, even before beginning a dental visit. The steps to be kept in mind are:

• The teeth of a toddler must be rinsed well with water or wiped with a damp cloth soon after feeding before they can fall asleep.
• If the milk residue is left in the mouth, then it can lead to problems of decay even at a very young age.
• It is better to introduce children to weaning instead of bottle feeding by their first birthday. This can help in avoiding decay and lessening the chances of jaw growth problems that are caused due to excessive sucking.
• As soon as the first tooth appears, they need to be brushed up. Use a soft-bristled brush and water, also consult a dentist before using toothpaste for them.
• Try not to feed children with sugary drinks or milk before going to bed. It’s advised to minimize beverages with sugar content in their diet. 
• Provide children with straws when they drink any sugary drinks; in that way, the teeth will have less contact with the drink.

When Should Your Child See a Dentist?

Children should see a dentist by their first birthday or when their first tooth emerges. This varies between children, though, so it is important to contact our office to schedule your child’s first visit to our office. We recommend bringing your child for an initial appointment before age 3, so we can establish a relationship with them and help them feel comfortable at our office. Also, we can provide more educational information and guidance on proper at-home care while their teeth are developing.

Our dentists and team can provide preventative treatments to keep your child’s smile healthy and prevent common dental problems. These treatments include cleanings to remove plaque buildup; fluoride varnishes to strengthen the enamel of the teeth, sealants to prevent cavities from forming, and more. We can also treat issues such as thumb sucking or teeth grinding with personalized recommendations. We provide all of these services in a fun environment to help your children feel safe and comfortable at our dental office during every visit.

As your child grows, we can provide additional treatments, such as orthodontic care to correct misalignments or manage bite concerns. It is never too late for your child to benefit from the dental care they need to keep their smile healthy for a lifetime. The earlier you start seeing us, the better their dental health will be in the future.

What Are the Dental Problems That We Treat?

Dental problems in children that the dentist usually takes care for are: 

• Cavities that hit in early childhood
• Any periodontal disease
• Challenges faced during dental development.
• Any unidentified medical disorders
• If the injuries are Oro-facial traumatic 
• Cleft palate, cleft lip, and some other craniofacial anomalies
• To treat and prevent oral habits that can significantly affect the proper growth of teeth, along with all special healthcare needs

What Involves In Early Childhood Dental Development?

Prevent Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

When your baby falls asleep with a bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sugary beverage in his or her mouth, the sugar in those liquids combines with bacteria in the baby’s mouth and creates an acid that attacks the tooth enamel and causes decay. This is called “baby bottle tooth decay” and can lead to cavities, fillings, and even premature tooth loss in infants. Early childhood dental care is important in preventing this and other oral health conditions. If your child is between six months and three years old, see us for preventative care that includes fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants to protect their teeth.

Stop Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking, often referred to as “pacifiers” by dentists, is a normal and healthy habit for infants and toddlers. Most children stop thumb-sucking between the ages of two and three. Some children will continue to suck their thumbs past the age of five, which may feel comforting to them when they need something to calm them down. Parents should discourage their child from sucking his or her thumb after the age of three by removing the thumbsucking object. A dentist can recommend other ways for your child to comfort them, such as cuddling a blanket or stuffed animal.

Protect Their Teeth With Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are available in both preventative and corrective forms to protect your child’s teeth and mouth from decay and cavities. Sealants are applied to the teeth-colored enamel surfaces of molars, premolars, and other back teeth that are typically hard to reach and clean with a toothbrush or floss. These teeth are more susceptible to developing tooth decay because they are more difficult to reach with brushing due to the positioning of the tooth in the mouth. An added benefit is that many sealants are clear or white in color, making them hard to notice in your smile. This means that dental sealants can help protect the appearance of a child’s smile.

Call us at (408) 988-7788 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Lee for a consultation at our office in Santa Clara, CA.