Pediatric Dentist in Long Beach

Kids go through a lot of amazing stages as they grow. Pediatric dentistry specializes in dental care for kids’ teeth, gums, and mouths throughout the various stages of childhood: growing and losing baby teeth, permanent teeth coming in during grade school, and the teen years.

Pediatric dentists provide oral health exams, teeth cleaning, fluoride treatments, cavity repair, tooth extraction, treatment of dental injuries (chipped, fractured, or knocked-out teeth), recommendations for straightening teeth (orthodontics), and diagnosis of oral conditions.

Children’s Dentist - Pediatric Dentist in Long Beach

Pediatric dentists also treat problems such as malocclusion (bad bite) and bruxism (grinding teeth). Pediatric dentists may recommend space maintainers for baby teeth that are lost prematurely and could cause a bad bite. A pediatric dentist can create a customized night guard that will protect teeth if a child is grinding them while sleeping.

If children are sucking their thumbs too long into childhood (after the age of five), a pediatric dentist can fit them with a palatal crib appliance to stop the habit and prevent future dental problems. A pediatric dentist may recommend an expansion appliance if a child has an overbite or crossbite.

Pediatric dentists should always create a friendly atmosphere for children and avoid words such as “drilling” that might scare kids. A fear of dentists can begin in childhood and set the course for adult avoidance of dentists. Going to the dentist should be a positive experience in childhood.

Pediatric dentists also educate children (and parents) about disease prevention, good eating habits, and home dental hygiene (brushing and flossing). If children can learn good dental habits while they are young, they can avoid a lot of problems as they grow older.

If your baby, child, or teen needs a pediatric dentist, please call our office to make an appointment. Do not delay. You don’t want any dental problems to worsen. Your child’s dental health can influence the rest of their life. Call us today!