Kids
Pediatric Dentistry
First visits by age one, then cleanings, fluoride and sealants as they grow.
The recommendation is a first dental visit by a child's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth arriving. That sounds early, and the point is not treatment — it is getting a look at how the teeth are coming in, checking for early decay, and letting your child sit in the chair while nothing is happening.
A first visit is short. We count teeth, look at the gums, often with your child on your lap rather than alone in the chair, and talk with you about bottles, cups, snacks and brushing. Then they get to pick a toothbrush and go home.
We do not use scare language with children and we would ask you not to either. Words like "hurt", "shot" and "drill" get imported from adults, so we describe things differently: sleepy juice, a tooth counter, water and a little vacuum.
Is this right for me?
- Your child is approaching their first birthday, or their first tooth came in six months ago.
- You have noticed a white or brown spot on a tooth, or a chipped front tooth from a fall.
- Your child is nervous, or had a bad experience somewhere else, and you want a slow first visit.
What to expect
A look around first
Children get to see the chair, the light and the little water sprayer before anyone asks them to open. Curiosity beats surprise.
Counting teeth
A quick look with a mirror. For toddlers this often happens knee-to-knee, with your child lying back across your lap facing us.
Cleaning and fluoride
A gentle polish and a fluoride varnish painted on, which takes about a minute and does not need rinsing.
Sealants when the molars arrive
The grooves on new back teeth are the most common place decay starts. A sealant flows into them and is set with a light. No drilling, no numbing.
Talking with you
Brushing, what is actually in the snacks, when to stop the bottle, thumb sucking, and when to have an orthodontic look. Practical, not preachy.
Your comfort
Children are welcome to bring a toy, a blanket or headphones. Parents stay in the room. If your child is having a hard day, we would much rather stop at counting teeth and try again in a few months than force a visit and lose their trust for years.
Insurance and payment, sorted before you sit down
We take all PPO plans, Medi-Cal Dental and most Medicare Advantage dental plans, and we check your benefits before treatment so the estimate is in writing. If you need to spread the cost, we work with CareCredit, Cherry and Sunbit.
Apply for financing — Cherry Avenue Office
- CareCredit®Apply online in a few minutes. Decision is usually immediate.
- CherryApply on your phone. The pre-qualification check does not affect your credit score.
- SunbitApplied for at the front desk when you come in — takes a few minutes.
Questions patients ask
Why bother with baby teeth if they fall out?
They hold the space for the adult teeth coming behind them, and a baby tooth lost early to decay lets the neighbors drift into that space. Decay in a baby tooth can also hurt a child badly and affect the adult tooth developing underneath.
When should I start brushing?
As soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day, with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Children need help brushing until around age seven or eight — earlier than most people expect.
My child knocked out a front tooth. What do I do?
Call us straight away. Do not try to reinsert a knocked-out baby tooth — that can damage the adult tooth developing above it. For a knocked-out adult tooth, keep it moist in milk and call immediately, because time matters a great deal.
Is fluoride safe for young children?
In the amounts used in a dental office and in a rice-grain smear of toothpaste, yes — that is the current recommendation from the American Dental Association. The thing to avoid is swallowing large amounts of toothpaste, which is why the amount is so small.
Can I stay with my child?
Yes. Parents stay in the room. For very small children we often do the exam with them lying across your lap, which is easier for everyone.
Do you take Medi-Cal Dental for children?
Yes. We accept Medi-Cal Dental, along with all PPO plans. Call either office with your card and the team will confirm what is covered before your visit.
What patients say
Dr. Zamiri was excellent! She saw my 23 month old granddaughter for the first time today and she put her at ease. I was pleasantly surprised because I was expecting some screaming and crying but that didn’t happen. Thank you for taking care of my precious granddaughter and we will see you in 6 months. Happy holidays!
Related services
Thinking about Pediatric Dentistry?
Send a request and we'll call you back to find a time. You'll get a written estimate before anything is booked in the schedule.