Pediatric Dentist in Carlsbad, CA
At Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics in Carlsbad, we understand that a healthy smile begins in childhood. Pediatric dental care is vital in protecting and maintaining your child’s oral health, setting the foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.
Grow a healthy smile
Kids Friendly Dentist
The caring and friendly dental team at Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics can help get your child on a path toward excellent oral care for years to come!
Why should I trust my child’s smile with a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists specialize in providing dental care for infants, children, and adolescents, offering a unique approach that’s tailored to their specific needs. Our team of skilled pediatric dentists is not only highly trained in oral health but also experienced in managing the unique behavioral and developmental aspects of young patients.
One of the primary benefits of pediatric dental care is the preventive approach it adopts. We believe in proactive oral health strategies, focusing on prevention rather than just treatment. Regular dental examinations, ideally beginning around your child’s first birthday, allow us to monitor their dental development, detect early signs of dental issues, and provide appropriate interventions.
Your children’s smile is incredibly important. Our highly trained and caring dental team at Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics specializes in providing pediatric dentistry to kids of all ages, helping them achieve amazing, healthy smiles.
What services are involved with pediatric dental care?
Pediatric dentistry encompasses a wide range of services. These services include routine dental cleanings, dental examinations, fluoride treatments, dental sealants, dental fillings, oral hygiene education, and more. We’ll thoroughly examine your child’s smile and create a comprehensive oral health plan tailored to their specific needs, ensuring they receive the diligent and compassionate care they need.
By investing in pediatric dental care, you invest in your child’s overall well-being. Healthy teeth and gums not only contribute to a beautiful smile, but they also support proper speech development, aid in chewing and digestion, and boost self-confidence. Moreover, addressing dental issues early can prevent more extensive and costly treatments in the future.
Children’s Dental Fillings
It’s essential to treat tooth decay in children as soon as possible before the cavity spreads. Tooth decay can cause abscessed teeth, pain, and difficulty with eating or speaking. If not treated early, the infection can lead to more serious health problems, requiring hospitalization.
Regular dental visits help identify any cavities while they’re small, allowing for conservative treatments like dental fillings. Filling the cavity helps to prevent further damage and stops bacteria from spreading deeper into the tooth. Symptoms may include soreness, difficulty eating, or food getting caught in the teeth.
In most cases, small white fillings are recommended.
Dental Crowns for Kids
A dental crown is a restoration that is used to repair a tooth that has been severely damaged or decayed. A crown may be recommended for a child if the damage to the tooth is so extensive that other treatments, such as a filling, are not sufficient to restore it. Dental crowns are also commonly used to cover and protect a weak tooth from further breakage or to cover a tooth after a pulpotomy. In some cases, crowns are used to cover fractured teeth in order to improve the appearance and function of a smile.
When placing a crown on a child’s tooth, our Carlsbad pediatric dentist will first numb the area and then remove any decay from the tooth. Then we shape the remaining tooth structure and attach a crown to the tooth, typically with special dental cement.
Dental Sealants
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children get sealants once their permanent molars come in, which is usually around age 6 or 7. Their second permanent molars typically erupt closer to age 12.
Sealants may also be recommended for children at higher risk of cavities, such as those who struggle with poor oral hygiene or have had cavities in the past. Each sealant is essentially a protective layer that safeguards the deep grooves and pits on hard-to-clean chewing surfaces.
Sealants are a safe and simple procedure that is relatively inexpensive and does not require anesthesia. Once applied, they can last for several years, depending on how well your child takes care of their teeth.
Children’s Dental Cleanings and Fluoride
During a routine dental cleaning, our hygienist will remove plaque and tartar that have built up on your child’s teeth, as well as polish and floss the teeth. We’ll also provide personalized oral hygiene instruction based on your child’s age and home care habits.
Fluoride is an important part of keeping your child’s teeth healthy. During a fluoride treatment, your child’s teeth are coated with a varnish or foam that helps strengthen the enamel and prevent cavities.
Both of these steps help protect your child’s teeth against decay and promote good oral health. Regular visits to the dentist can help ensure that your child is receiving the care they need to keep their teeth healthy and strong. We recommend cleanings and exams be scheduled every six months.
Pulpotomies, Pulp Therapy
If your child’s tooth is abscessed or has extremely deep areas of tooth decay, pulp therapy can prevent the need for a dental extraction. This measure also limits the risk of orthodontic complications associated with premature tooth loss.
Nurturing Healthy Smiles at Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics
At Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re passionate about helping our youngest generation stay healthy and smile wide! We strive to give children a lifetime of happy, strong teeth through preventive dental care.
Does My Child Need X-rays?
It’s important for children to have regular dental X-rays to keep their teeth healthy. X-rays allow dentists to identify problems that are too small to be seen by the naked eye, such as cavities between teeth and infections below the gums. X-rays can also help diagnose other potential issues, such as impacted teeth and orthodontic concerns, which can be treated early on to avoid further complications down the road.
X-rays are usually recommended once a year, depending on your child’s age and dental history. Full-mouth X-rays may be needed less often for purposes related to wisdom tooth exams or orthodontic screenings. It’s important to keep in mind that dental X-rays use very low doses of radiation, making them completely safe for children.
How will we help put your child at ease?
Now and always, we’re focused on creating a positive and comfortable environment for our young patients, ensuring their dental visits are pleasant experiences. Our friendly and compassionate team is skilled in managing the unique needs of young patients, making every visit enjoyable and nurturing a positive attitude towards dental care.
Do you have questions, or are you interested in scheduling an appointment? Contact us today at Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics in Carlsbad, California!
Contact Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics About Pediatric Care Today!
- Help your child receive the dental care they need
- Learn how you can help your child protect their smile for life
- Receive compassionate, child-friendly care from our team
- Establish a great oral health foundation for your child from a young age
- Prioritize their smile and overall well-being!
Frequently Asked Questions
Most dentists recommend that parents schedule an appointment with their regular dentist or a local pediatric dentist after the eruption of the first baby teeth or by your baby’s first birthday.
A pediatric dentist, also called a pedodontist, has an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school and specializes in diagnosing and treating dental problems in infants, children, and teenagers.
Parents should take their little ones to the pediatric dentist regularly, beginning within six months of the eruption of the first tooth or no later than the age of one. That way, the pediatric dentist can identify any new and potential oral health issues during each visit. Plus, your child’s dental care provider will give you useful tips on how to teach them healthy habits such as proper brushing & flossing techniques, as well as following a balanced diet to help prevent potential problems from developing and give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends the first dental visit by age 1 or shortly after eruption of first tooth.
Yes, we have experience and training in dental care for children with various special needs.
We offer traditional braces, clear braces, and clear aligners to suit different preferences and needs.
The Discovery Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics Experience
- Highest Level of Dental Care
- Friendly and Caring Staff
- Affordable Financing Options
- Personalized Dental Services
Hear From Our Patients
Ready to Experience Caring Dental Care?
Achieve the confident, beautiful, and healthy smile you deserve
About our Dentistry
- CA (License 18945). View License Information
- Insurance: We work with most insurance providers.
- No Insurance? No problem call (760) 438-1279 for more information.
- Financing Options: We offer a wide range of dental financing options.
- We serve patients from the following counties: San Diego
- We serve patients from the following cities: Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista, San Diego
- Have Questions? Please feel free to contact us at (760) 438-1279
Helpful links: WebMD (Pediatric Dentist) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)
