Find Us
1881 Connercenter East Drive, Suite 134 San Bernardino, CA 92408
Opening Hours
Monday - Friday : 9AM - 5PM
Early Dental Care
Start Healthy, Stay Healthy
At Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that creating a strong foundation for your child’s dental health starts with their very first visit.
Our early child care services are designed to introduce your little ones to the world of dentistry in a gentle, nurturing, and fun environment.
These early experiences are critical in shaping how your child will approach dental care for the rest of their life. By ensuring that your child is comfortable and well cared for from the beginning, we help to set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit
The first dental visit is an exciting milestone, and we make it an enjoyable and relaxed experience for both parents and children. During this visit, we introduce your child to the dental environment, show them the dental tools in a fun and non-threatening way, and gently examine their teeth and gums. We know that every child is unique, so we tailor our approach to match your child’s comfort level, ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout the visit.
Early Detection and Prevention
Preventative care is at the heart of our early child care services. We focus on detecting any potential issues early, ensuring that small problems don’t turn into bigger, more serious concerns. Our pediatric dental team is trained to spot early signs of tooth decay, misaligned teeth, and gum issues. By catching these problems early, we can provide solutions that prevent pain and costly treatments in the future.
Building Healthy Habits
Our goal is not just to treat dental issues but to empower children with the knowledge and habits they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums. We teach children and parents how to brush and floss properly, provide personalized dietary advice to reduce sugar intake, and encourage regular dental checkups. Our team will give you and your child customized tips on maintaining good oral hygiene at home, so that their teeth stay strong and healthy between visits.
Creating Positive Dental Experiences
We understand that some children may feel nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist, which is why we’ve made our office a warm and welcoming place. With colorful, child-friendly decorations and a playful atmosphere, we ensure that your child feels at ease. Our team takes extra care to use positive reinforcement and encouragement throughout the visit, helping to build trust and foster a positive attitude towards dental care.
Long-Term Benefits of Early Child Care
Starting dental care early has long-term benefits for your child. Regular visits from a young age ensure that their teeth are developing properly, while instilling good dental habits that will last into adulthood.
Early child care is also the key to preventing dental problems before they start, reducing the likelihood of more serious treatments like fillings or extractions later on.
- Gentle and caring approach to first dental visits
- Customized tips for healthy oral habits that fit your child’s needs
- Fun and educational experience that helps children see dental care as positive
- Early detection of potential issues to prevent future problems
- Building trust between your child and the dentist, making future visits easier and stress-free
Your Questions Answered
Your child deserves honest dental care tailored to their needs. We’ll listen to your concerns and recommend proven treatments.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your child in to see us by their first birthday. Though this may sound early, we can teach you proper pediatric oral hygiene techniques, check for cavities, and watch for developmental problems.
Various forms of tooth decay can affect babies and small children. Early childhood cavities (tooth decay) can develop rapidly, progressing from the hard outer enamel layer of a tooth into the softer inner dentin in six months or less. Most of all, we want to ensure your child has a positive experience at our office and will be a regular visitor for years to come.
The specialized field of pediatric dentistry exists because a child’s mouth differs largely from an adult’s mouth. As pediatric dentists, we have an over 35 years of experience. Our specialized field covers the oral health of children, and our education and experience prepare us for the unique needs of children, infants, and adolescents. We also tend to those who have special healthcare needs.
The American Association of Orthodontics recommends children receive an orthodontics screening by the age of seven. It is important for us to evaluate the development of your child’s incoming adult teeth. If your child is not in need of more aggressive orthodontic treatment, we will address dental issues once more of their permanent teeth are in place, and their jaw is developed.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
Generally, the first baby teeth that appear are usually the lower front teeth and can appear between six and nine months of age. All babies are unique, so it’s not unusual if your child’s teeth emerge before or after this age. When their first teeth emerge, it’s time to transition to a baby toothbrush.
As more teeth appear, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you start brushing your child’s teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Gently brush the inside and outside of your baby’s teeth, as well as their tongue. Since a tiny amount of toothpaste is being used, there is no need to rinse.
A lifetime of good oral health begins during infancy, even before the baby’s first tooth emerges. We have provided some guidelines below to help new parents!
It’s a good idea to get into the habit of wiping your baby’s gums with gauze or a soft, wet washcloth to remove any sugars, milk, or residual food. Simply wrap the gauze or cloth around your index finger and gently rub it over their gums. There is no need to use any toothpaste yet.
One serious form of dental decay among young children is baby bottle tooth decay. This condition is caused by frequent and long exposures of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar. Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened drinks.
Putting a baby to bed for a nap or at night with a bottle other than water can cause serious and rapid tooth decay. Sweet liquid pools around the child’s teeth, allowing plaque bacteria to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. If you must give the baby a bottle as a comforter at bedtime, it should contain only water. If your child doesn’t fall asleep without the bottle and their usual beverage, gradually dilute the bottle’s contents with water over two to three weeks.
After your child’s teeth erupt, you can use a smear size amount of baby toothpaste and a soft baby toothbrush. When children reach three years of age, we advise parents to supervise their child’s teeth brushing and make sure they only use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Your child mustn’t swallow the toothpaste.
Poor oral health or a diet high in sugary foods can lead to cavities in your child’s mouth. When children don’t brush or floss well or often enough, the bacteria in their mouths feed on the sugars that are left behind on their teeth. This develops into plaque and eventually tartar, leading to tooth decay.
If plaque and tartar are not removed, it can cause decay, cavities, periodontal disease, and other oral health problems. Your child may experience discomfort when eating and drinking hot or cold foods as a result of tooth decay. It’s important to see your pediatric dentist at one of our Texas offices as soon as possible if your child is experiencing any pain so that we can ensure no decay could spread.
Here are a few ways to prevent tooth decay for your child:
- Brush and floss daily
- Use fluoridated toothpaste
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash
- Take your child for regular dental checkups and cleanings; preventative care is essential for healthy gums and teeth
- Ask our Texas pediatric dentist about dental sealants which can prevent cavities and benefit tooth strengthening
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Limit your child’s intake of sugary foods and drinks
Book A Visit
Contact Us
We’re always welcoming new patients. We can’t wait to meet you!