The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends finding your child’s Dental Home by age one or when the first tooth emerges, whichever occurs first. Establishing your child’s Dental Home provides the opportunity to implement preventive dental health habits that keep a child free from dental/oral disease. Little Bites Pediatric Dentistry focuses on prevention, early detection, and treatment of dental diseases. We work to keep current on the latest advances in dentistry for children, and our services reflect just that.
Our goal at Little Bites Pediatric Dentistry is to help all children feel good about visiting the dentist and teach them how to care for their teeth. From our special office designs to our communication style, our main concern is what is best for your child.
Studies have shown that children with good oral health tend to eat better, learn better, do better in school, and develop higher confidence.
During your child’s preventative visit, we use special tools to get those pearly whites glowing bright! Your child will be evaluated to make sure both his/her gums and teeth are healthy, and ensure no oral disease is present. Growth and development will be evaluated and any potential concerns discussed.
Teeth are composed of many tiny pieces called molecules that attach to each other. Throughout the day these tiny pieces are constantly breaking apart and reforming depending on our diet. Fluoride can be thought of as a “glue” for these pieces by keeping the molecules more tightly bound together and less prone to breaking apart. Topical fluoride treatment is effective in protecting children’s teeth and reducing cavities.
Think of the top (chewing) surface of a tooth as mountains with many grooves. When your child eats, food gets caught into those grooves. Although daily brushing is essential, applying dental sealant will enhance the ability to keep those hard to reach areas clean. A dental sealant flows into the grooves “sealing” the tooth and reducing the probability of cavities.
Radiographs (or x-rays) are an essential part of our diagnostic protocol. Without them, dental conditions may go undetected. Dental x-rays detect much more than dental cavities. They allow the dentist to evaluate growth and development, bone health, pathology, and evaluate trauma. At Little Bite Pediatric Dentistry we are using the latest dental x-ray technology with very minimal exposure.
It is our goal to make your child’s dental appointment as easy and enjoyable as possible! At Little Bites Pediatric Dentistry we promote healthy smiles in a friendly and compassionate environment. Our doctor and professional staff will discuss treatment options that will allow your child a stress-free dental experience.
In preparation for your appointment, try to refrain from using words such as needle, hurt, pull, and drill. Dr. Tasha and her staff are well versed and will explain everything to your child in a kid-friendly way. You can count on our team to calm your anxious child and answer all questions from your “Curious George”.
If your child’s cavity is too large to restore with a tooth colored filling, a crown may be recommended. Crowns help protect the baby teeth, providing structure for the tooth. Crowning a tooth also maintains the space, allowing the eventual permanent tooth to erupt properly. If you are concerned about a silver crown, talk to Dr. Tasha about the possibility of a tooth-colored crown!
Baby root canals are often needed when the cavity approaches the nerve of the tooth. This procedure stops the progress of the cavity and minimizes the chances of an infection or abscess. The procedure is completed by cleaning out the center of the tooth where the nerve lives and placing soothing medicine. The tooth is then protected by placing a crown, as mentioned above.
The baby teeth serve as space holders for the permanent teeth. With the loss of a baby tooth, neighboring teeth start migrating into that vacant space potentially causing space problems as your child grows. This may lead to the need for extensive orthodontic treatment at a later age. To minimize this potential situation, a space maintainer is placed in that area to hold the space open, so that the adult tooth can erupt in a more appropriate position.
Our office specializes in laser frenectomies, which enhance range of motion by releasing the frenum. We believe in removing oral restrictions so children can thrive. Our quick and stitch-free laser treatments result in minimal bleeding and swelling for a smooth recovery.
Your child may need to have a tooth extracted. Most often extractions are indicated due to the presence of infection or for orthodontic purposes. Dr. Tasha will review your child’s needs and discuss treatment options with you.
Should your child have a cavity, we use a resin tooth-colored filling to restore function and comfort to your child’s tooth. These fillings restore teeth to an attractive healthy state!
Laughing gas is the common term for nitrous oxide. This is a safe and mild method used during dental procedures. Your child will be awake and responsive throughout the procedure, in a more relaxed state.
Because this type of dentistry is short-lived with a gentle effect, it is often used for children. Nitrous oxide puts patients at ease so they can remain relaxed during dental procedures allowing the anxious child a more pleasant dental experience! Dr. Tasha customizes each case individually and will discuss sedation only if necessary.
Many children suffer from dental anxiety, feeling extreme fear that keeps them from attending dental visits. We want all patients to receive excellent dental care in spite of their dental anxiety. To this end, we offer in-house IV sedation dentistry from an anesthesiologist, to ensure the comfort of our patients. If your child suffers from a fear of going to the dentist, call us today to learn more about intravenous “IV” sedation.
