Children’s Dentist Rancho Bernardo

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

When it’s time for your child’s very first dental appointment, just know that our main priority is helping them get acquainted with the dental office, rather than performing in-depth or invasive exams. While we may take a brief look in your child’s mouth and address any significant plaque or tartar we see, first dental visits are more intended to ensure they have nothing to worry about when it comes to visiting the dentist. We recommend bringing them in for their first appointment once their first tooth erupts or within six months of their first birthday.

Dental Sealants

Teaching your child at-home oral care is important, but sometimes plaque and tartar can still find its way into your child’s teeth. This is especially common in molars and premolars, two types of teeth that have deep pits and cracks for food debris and bacteria to get stuck in. With dental sealants, we can apply a thin layer of composite resin to these teeth to ensure better protection from decay as your child learns their brushing and flossing technique.

Athletic Mouthguards/ Sportsguards

Is your child active in a lot of sports? Do these activities carry a high risk for impact? When you’ve purchases all the protective equipment they need to have fun without getting hurt, make sure to give us a call as well in order to have their custom-made sportsguard created. This oral appliance not only protects their developing smiles better than store-bought solution, but lasts longer and ensure better comfort along the way.

Special Needs Children’s Dentistry

Everyone needs dentistry to maintain a healthy smile and children who have special needs are no exception. However, we understand that not all dentists are able to meet your child’s necessary accommodations. When you call our dental office, let us know what your child needs to receive dental treatments safely and comfortably and we will do everything within our means to make sure that is the case when you arrive.

Frenectomies/Lip & Tongue-Tie

A tongue tie occurs when an infant’s tongue isn’t free to move due to the membrane beneath it. Lip ties are similar, in that the lips are not able to move freely due to a tight membrane. Both conditions have an affect on your child’s ability to eat, speak and talk properly. While symptoms often times improve later in life, if Dr. Howard feels treatment is required, he can remove the inhibiting tissues with our state-of-the-art dental laser while minimizing pain and bleeding.

Non-Nutritive Oral Habits

Is your child sucking on their thumb or relying on a pacifier past the age of four? While this may seem harmless at first, this habit actually has the potential to negatively affect their oral development. For example, it can cause teeth to erupt into crooked positions, meaning they’ll need orthodontics to straighten their smile. With the help of Dr. Howard and his team, we can help your child break these habits before they have a chance to cause any problems to their smile or oral health.

Pulp Therapy

While it is uncommon, children can develop minor infections inside the center portions of their teeth, known as the pulp. Our dental office wants to do everything possible to prevent loss of their teeth at all costs, which is why we perform pulp therapy. This treatment is similar to a root canal therapy, however it is much less invasive and does not involve removing nearly as much pulp to save a tooth. Prior to treatment, our gentle and caring team will make sure your child is comfortable, relaxed and prepared ahead of time so they have nothing to be concerned about when the times for their appointment.