Has your child ever begged you not to leave the dentist? Impossible you say? Not at our office. It could be our gentle touch and special way with kids. Our pediatric specialists and staff love children and are specially trained to put them at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth; but just as important, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun.
In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, our pediatric dental specialists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health, using the most advanced techniques…and all in our delightfully friendly open treatment area. Pediatric dentists have an additional 2-3 years of training at university pediatric facilities in addition to 4 years of dental school and 4 years of college study. They learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. Also, they are trained and qualified to treat special patients.
Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is Early Childhood Caries. Early Childhood Caries is tooth decay that occurs in the primary (baby) teeth of young children. It occurs when the child’s teeth are frequently exposed to sugary liquids- milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice, soda and other sweetened liquids- for long periods of time. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly and feel good about his or her appearance.
Primary teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may come in crooked. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren’t treated. Remember, some primary molars are not replaced until age 10-14, so they must last for years.
The most important thing is not to over-prepare your child. Casually mention a few days ahead that we are going to visit the dentist. If your child has any questions, answer them briefly and enthusiastically. Be positive in your approach and tell your child that the dentist will count their teeth.
Your health and peace of mind are always our primary concern; therefore, we use state-of-the-art sterilization procedures. After each patient’s visit, the treatment area is thoroughly disinfected. All of our instruments are either disposed of or disinfected and heat sterilized. Please feel free to ask us for information on the measures we take to ensure the safety of you and your children, or a tour of our sterilization area.
Call us at 914-472-9090 or send us an email with any questions you may have.