Children's Dental Care in Northern Virginia

What Is a Children’s Dentist?

Both general dentists and pediatric dentists treat children; however, many children see a general dentist. Pediatric dentists have additional years of training after dental school in treating children's dental developmental difficulties and other dental problems. If you've been asking, “Where’s an experienced children’s dentist near me?”, contact our office to set up a consultation.

When Should I Start My Kids’ Dental Care?

The American Dental Association recommends that children see a children’s dentist by age one or six months after their first tooth erupts. While this seems early to many parents, as soon as your child has a tooth, they can get a cavity. Babies and toddlers who take a sippy cup or a bottle of milk or juice to bed can get cavities quickly if the sugar sits on their teeth all night. If your child must take a drink to bed, make sure it is only water.

What Happens During a Visit to a Kids’ Dentist?

At your initial visit, you'll sit in the dental chair and hold your baby on your lap. It's a nice, stress-free way to introduce your child to his or her dentist. The dentist will check your baby's teething and show you how to clean his or her teeth. You'll also have a chance to ask questions during the visit. Our goal is to help our patients have strong, healthy teeth and lower their risk of developing cavities. If you are looking for a dental office where kids’ comfort is a priority, call us for an appointment.

What Are Common Children's Dental Services?

We offer the following dentistry for kids to help prevent decay in children's teeth and to treat any problems that may arise:

Teeth Cleaning for Children:

Regular professional cleanings help keep your child's teeth healthy. We usually recommend cleanings starting at age three.

Fluoride:

Fluoride treatments are an important part of dentistry for children since they build strong teeth which are more cavity resistant.

Dental Sealants:

Sealants are a thin coating we apply to your child's molars. The coating helps keep bacteria from getting stuck of the grooves and ridges on the chewing surface and causing cavities. The sealant makes the tops of the teeth smooth, making it much easier for your child to keep them clean.

Dental Bonding:

Bonding will repair minor chips and cracks in your child's teeth.

Fillings:

If your child has a cavity, our dentist can gently remove the decay and fill the cavity with an amalgam or composite filling.

Baby Root Canal:

We'll perform a baby tooth root canal if there is an infection in the tooth's pulp and it's causing your child pain. Pulling a baby tooth, unless it is almost ready to fall out, can contribute to misalignment issues as teeth shift to close the gap.

Pediatric Crowns:

If your child needs a very large filling or had a root canal, our dentist will place a crown over the tooth to give the weakened tooth strength.

Mouthguards:

Our dentist can fit your young athlete with a custom mouthguard to protect their mouth during contact sports.

When Should Baby Teeth Come In?

Most babies get their first tooth at about age six months. Typically, the first teeth are the bottom front teeth. Your child will have all of his or her baby teeth by age three, although this varies.

When Should Baby Teeth Fall Out?

Baby teeth start falling out about age six. The first teeth to come in are usually the first to fall out. Adult teeth should replace all of your child's baby teeth by age 10 to 12. If your child's teeth appeared earlier than usual, they will probably fall out earlier than your child's classmates.

Why Do Children Get Toothaches?

Dental decay is the most common cause of toothaches in children. Your child may also have cracked a tooth or have an infection. Children can also have pain from a piece of food trapped between their teeth. Young children often have trouble describing a toothache. Try gently flossing their teeth and then have them rinse with warm saltwater.

If the pain persists or you notice redness or swelling near a tooth, call our office. Our childrens dentist can identify the cause of your child's pain and treat it. If you need a gentle childrens dentist in Northern Virginia for a routine exam or to treat a toothache, please give our office a call to arrange an appointment.