Pediatric Dentistry with a very gentle touch, making your kids completely comfortable!

Dr. Kashani provides a comfortable environment for children of all ages, and all from a pediatric dentist with a gentle touch.

Why See a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentists are qualified to meet the dental needs of infants, toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents, and require an additional two or three years of child-specific training. In addition, pediatric dentists specifically study child psychology, enabling them to communicate with children in an effective, gentle, and non-threatening way.

When Should Children Have Their First Dental Visit?

Parents are recommended to take their child to a pediatric dentist before the age of one, approximately six months after the emergence of the first tooth if possible.  The pediatric dentist will concentrate on prevention of tooth decay, early detection of any future oral problems (bad bite, grinding), education on daily oral care for the child, toothpaste selection, and any updates on the latest advances for children’s oral health.

What happens during the first visit?

The pediatric dentist will advise parents on a good oral care routine, ask questions about the child’s oral habits, and examine the child’s emerging teeth.  If the child’s teeth appear stained, the dentist may clean them and then apply a fluoride treatment.

What potential dental problems can babies experience?

A baby is at risk for tooth decay as soon as the first tooth emerges.  In particular, infants who drink breast milk, juice, baby formula, soda, or sweetened water from a baby bottle or sippy cup are at high-risk for early childhood cavities.  The pediatric dentist can also look at the child’s fluoride intake.  Too much fluoride between 1-4 years old can lead to fluorosis in later childhood, but too little fluoride may allow tooth decay.

How can I reduce the risk of early cavities?

A pediatric dentist will recommend some help tips, such as bushing twice a day, start flossing as soon as two adjacent teeth emerge, feed the child a balanced diet, set a good example yourself by flossing and brushing regularly, and visiting the dentist twice a year.

Are twice yearly checkups necessary if my child has healthy teeth?

The condition of a child’s teeth can change fairly quickly.  Even if the child’s teeth were healthy at the last checkup, changes in diet or habits like thumb sucking can quickly lead to problems. Also, it is important to clean the plaque that can build up between teeth. The pediatric dentist is also able to check fluoride levels and apply a fluoride gel after a cleaning. 

When the child’s molars appear, typically between 2-3 years old, the pediatric dentist may coat them with dental sealant.  This covers the hard-to-reach fissures of the molars and seals out bacteria, food particles and acid.  The sealant may last for months or even years, depending on the oral habits of the child.