Our mission is to improve the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and their families, with special emphasis given to improving the oral health of children with special health care needs.

Pediatric dentistry focuses on patients from birth through 16 years of age. We want your child to have the most positive dental experience we can provide. Our staff are specially trained in working with children and their families to provide dental services to children. Together, we strive to provide an atmosphere that is friendly and supportive to our child patients and their families.

When should a child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association recommend the first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth (usually around 6–10 months).

Why so early?

• To establish a “dental home” for preventive care.

• To educate parents on bottle feeding, pacifier use, and oral hygiene.

• To assess risk for early childhood caries (ECC).

• To catch developmental problems early (tongue-tie, delayed eruption, etc.).

Common pediatric dental issues:

1. Early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay):
Caused by prolonged exposure to sugary liquids (milk, formula, juice, soda). Affects primarily the upper front teeth.

• Prevention: No bottles at bedtime; wipe gums after feeding; transition to cups by 12 months.

2. Thumb sucking and pacifier use:
Normal until age 2–3. Prolonged use (beyond age 4) can cause open bite, overjet, and narrow palate.

• Intervention: Positive reinforcement, reminder devices, or orthodontic appliances.

3. Teething:
Symptoms: Irritability, drooling, mild fever, chewing on objects.

• Relief: Teething rings, cold washcloths, gentle gum massage. Avoid benzocaine gels (FDA warning for infants).

Special needs dentistry:
Children with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, or complex medical conditions require tailored approaches:

• Longer appointment times

• Desensitization visits

• Sedation or general anesthesia for extensive work

• Modified brushing techniques (e.g., 3-sided toothbrushes)

Statistics:

• Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood disease — 5 times more common than asthma (CDC).

• By age 5, 50% of children have at least one cavity.

• Early pediatric visits (by age 1) reduce future treatment costs by 40% (Pediatrics, 2014).

• Children with special health care needs are 2x more likely to have untreated dental disease.

Preventive services we provide:

• Fluoride varnish application (every 3–6 months)

• Dental sealants (on permanent molars, reduce cavities by 80%)

• Space maintainers (after premature baby tooth loss)

• Mouthguards for sports

• Interceptive orthodontics (early expanders, habit appliances)

Making dentistry fun for kids:
At Elite Smile, we use:

• Tell-Show-Do technique

• Positive reinforcement and rewards

• Kid-friendly decor and entertainment

• Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anxious children

• No-restraint policy (we stop if a child is truly distressed)

References:

• AAPD. “Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services.” 2021.

• Casamassimo, P.S., et al. “Beyond the dmft: The human and economic cost of early childhood caries.” JADA, 2009.

• CDC. “Oral Health for Children.” 2022.