Children's Dental Care in Suffern, NY

When to Take Your Child to the Children’s Dentist for the First Time

Experts recommend that parents take children to the dentist right after their first tooth emerges. For most babies, this is around 6 months of age. As soon as children have teeth, they can start getting cavities. We want to see our youngest patients no later than their first birthday so we can check their baby teeth and make sure everything is healthy.

What Should I Expect During My Child’s First Visit to a Children’s Dentist?

We work hard to make your child’s first visit to our office easy and enjoyable. For babies, we perform a very short exam to check baby teeth and gums. For older children, we’ll clean their teeth with special equipment sized for smaller mouths. We’ll also talk with you about your brushing routines at home. A good home care routine keeps your child’s teeth clean and healthy between visits.

Children’s Dental Services

Baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. Even though they are temporary, they are vital to a child’s proper development. Baby teeth allow children to speak and eat properly. They also create a path for adult teeth as they come in. As your child grows, we’ll partner with you to keep those baby teeth clean and healthy. If you're looking for a children’s dentist near me, contact our office today and schedule an appointment with our kid’s dental care experts.

Fluoride Treatments for Children

Fluoride is a mineral that is vital for healthy teeth. It strengthens enamel and prevents decay. We offer special topical fluoride treatments in our office. During this treatment, we brush a special fluoride resin on each tooth with a small brush. It hardens instantly and bonds to teeth, strengthening them.

Does My Child Need Dental Sealants?

If you think your child needs dental sealants, talk to us about scheduling this treatment for your child. We apply a special sealant to your child’s back teeth. The sealant prevents cavities by blocking bacteria and debris. It is painless to apply and lasts for years. We are pleased to offer dental sealants as part of our dentistry for kids.

Cavities and Fillings for Children

Because baby teeth are so important for a child’s health and development, we check them carefully for any decay. If we find a cavity, we’ll remove the decay and restore the baby tooth with a filling. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable during this process.

Pediatric Crowns for Back Teeth

Children’s molars need to last until their permanent molars erupt around age 13. If your child’s back teeth are damaged or decayed, we may recommend pediatric crowns. Pediatric crowns are special caps that we permanently bond to each tooth. They seal off the decay and allow your child’s molars to keep functioning properly.

Teeth Grinding and Mouthguards

Grinding and clenching the teeth at night can weaken them and cause jaw pain. Children who grind their teeth may need a special mouthguard to protect their teeth from damage. If we think a mouthguard would benefit your child, we can make a custom guard that will exactly fit your child’s mouth.

When Do Babies Get Their First Teeth?

Most babies get their first teeth around six months of age and have all their baby teeth by age three. Baby teeth emerge in pairs, usually starting with the front bottom teeth. As part of your toddler’s visit, we’ll check to make sure baby teeth are coming in properly and answer any questions you may have about normal baby teeth schedules.

When Do Babies Lose Their Teeth?

Most children lose their first baby teeth at age six. The back molars, however, don’t fall out until ages 10 to 12. Because baby teeth are so important to your child’s development, we’ll work with you to keep them clean and healthy. We are proud to be your children’s dentist in Suffern and look forward to working with you.

Helping Children with Toothaches

Minor toothaches could be caused by a permanent tooth coming in or a piece of food stuck between two teeth. If your child has a toothache that gets worse or prevents normal eating, contact us right away. These toothaches might be caused by damage or decay and need treatment from a children’s dentist.