We have several important goals during your child's first visit to our office. First, we want to introduce your child to staff and the dental setting in as non-threatening a way as possible.

Children usually start to get their first baby tooth at 6 months old. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth by the time they are 3 years old.

Healthy teeth are important to your baby's overall health. Teeth help your baby chew food and form words and sounds when speaking. They also affect the way your baby's jaw grows.

Common habits such as thumb sucking or pacifier use, while normal in early life, should be stopped before the age of four years old.

Now known as "Early Childhood Caries" is an aggressive form of caries that occurs in infants and very young children. Because of the aggressive nature of this disease, early intervention is necessary.

Sealants are a proven way to help prevent cavities. It is a tooth color protective coating that is painlessly applied onto the tiny grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth where most cavities in children are found.

Our office uses the latest in digital x-ray technology. Digital x-rays offer a detailed image of your entire mouth and also deliver 90% less radiation than traditional film x-rays.

A crown is sometimes termed a "cap" or "jacket." A crown will restore a large filling or a cracked tooth to its original size, shape and tooth color. A crown can strengthen and protect the remaining tooth structure and improves the appearance of your teeth.

Treatment may be needed if the decay has reached the tooth's nerve. Essentially, a root canal involves cleaning out a tooth's infected root, then filling and sealing the canal.

When the extraction of a tooth is required an incision in the gums is made, the tooth is removed, and the area is stitched up and is allowed to heal.

A space maintainer is a removable or fixed appliance designed to maintain an existing space. They are usually fitted to children when they have lost baby teeth early. The gap left from losing this tooth needs to be held open for the permanent tooth to erupt in its correct position.

Patients who are more anxious may need an oral medication that is stronger than nitrous oxide. With oral sedation, the patient may be sleepy but can be aroused if necessary and can respond to simple commands.

If a child has an injury limited to the mouth/teeth, call your dentist right away. Injury to the mouth can result in bruising and cutting of the lip and/or gum and scratches on and around the face. If a tooth is affected by the injury, it can result in fracturing, loosening, displacing, or complete avulsion of that tooth.

Accidents can happen during any physical activity. A mouth protector can help protect the soft tissues of your tongue, lips and cheek lining.

Your child's teeth are an important part of staying healthy. We know you have many questions about them so see if we have already answered one them below.