Pediatric Dentist Hackensack, Bergen County, NJ

Receiving appropriate pediatric dental care from an early age can help avoid many common dental problems. We love establishing relationships with children, treating them as gently as they were our own.

We would love your child to grow up regarding My New Jersey Dentist as their dental home, where they feel safe, relaxed, and able to discuss all their oral health needs with our friendly dental team.

What Is a Pediatric Dentist?

Pediatric dentistry is a recognized dental specialty in the United States. A pediatric dentist has first qualified as a general dentist. They then continue with their education, completing several years more training and a residency program before they are eligible to become board-certified.

Why Should a Child See a Pediatric Dentist?

There are many reasons why children can benefit from seeing a pediatric dentist.

Protecting Dental and Overall Health

Everyone needs good dental health, and oral health impacts overall health. The mouth is an entry point to the rest of the body and contains hundreds of strains of bacteria, some of which are harmful. A healthy mouth prevents these bacteria from entering the body, where they can impact general health.

Establishing Oral Care Routines

When a child can see a pediatric dentist, we can help them establish good oral care habits early on, such as regular brushing and flossing. These habits help control these harmful bacteria, prevent problems like tooth decay and gum disease, and protect general health.

Preventive Dentistry

We prefer a preventive approach to pediatric dentistry as many common dental problems are avoidable with the right oral care. Regular dental checkups with a pediatric dentist help detect small changes to a child’s oral health so we can provide appropriate treatment more quickly.

Reducing the Risk of Dental Emergencies

This approach helps avoid dental emergencies that can be painful and upsetting for children, especially if it is the first time they see a dentist and learn to associate dentistry with pain. A preventive approach ensures that children see regular dental exams and hygiene appointments as a routine part of life and nothing to fear, reducing their risk of growing up with dental fears and phobias.

Regular preventive dentistry gives them the best chance of growing up with strong, healthy, and evenly aligned teeth and a nice facial profile.

Benefits of Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

Here are benefits of timely visits to a kids dentist:

• Prevention is cheaper than treatment: Preventive visits to a pediatric dentist not only preserve time but also save money. Maintaining good oral hygiene significantly reduces the need for extensive and costly dental procedures for your kid.
• Healthy teeth mean a healthy self-image: Healthy teeth contribute to a child’s positive self-perception and attractiveness. A radiant smile boosts confidence among peers and teachers and enhances interpersonal interactions.
• Dental health affects general health: Children with good oral health are more likely to enjoy overall well-being, as oral ailments can pose risks to general health. Early childhood caries, for instance, can impede physical growth, particularly in terms of height and weight, and hinder cognitive development.
• Cavity treatment is essential: Neglecting a dental cavity may necessitate a root canal procedure to alleviate discomfort and address dental issues.
• Healthy baby teeth mean healthy permanent teeth: Healthy primary teeth play a crucial role in preserving space for permanent teeth and guiding their proper alignment. Severe decay and premature loss of primary teeth can lead to overcrowded and misaligned permanent dentition.

Kids Dentist Near Me: Preventative Care With Early Childhood Dental Visits at My New Jersey Dentist

Select an advanced family-oriented dentistry clinic with a pediatric dentist for your child’s dental needs. They offer comprehensive care, including exams, teeth whitening, crowns, preventive services, and braces. Their holistic approach to treatment planning and delivery ensures a personalized patient-centered experience in a calming atmosphere.

How to Find a Kids Dentist in Your Area

If you’re looking for a kids dentist nearby, here are a few tips:

• Reach out to friends and family for recommendations.
• Search online for “pediatric dentist near me,” “pediatric dentistry near me,” and “children’s dentist near me.”
• Read reviews of local kids dentists online and schedule consultations with them to get to know their practice.

Choose a pediatric dentist at My New Jersey Dentist for comprehensive dental treatments for infants, children, adolescents, and special needs patients. We use advanced technology such as 3D imaging, CBCT scanners, and the latest sterilization equipment and techniques to ensure your child’s healthy smile. Patient comfort is our priority, and we create a stress-free environment with an emphasis on compassion and individualized care.

Common Pediatric Dentistry Treatments

If your child’s first teeth have started erupting, it’s about time you started searching for a good pediatric dentist. While it may seem early to some, visiting a kids dentist as soon as possible allows them to assess the condition of your child’s teeth and set the foundation for excellent dental health.

Here are four common pediatric dentistry treatments every parent should be aware of:

Dental Checkups

A toothache shouldn’t be the only reason to visit a dental specialist. Schedule routine checkups to prevent tooth decay and other dental health issues. It is often recommended to take your child to the dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting, whichever comes first. If you’re unsure and seeking pediatric dentistry in Hackensack, contact us for guidance.

During a routine examination, your pediatric dentist will:

• Examine the teeth for cavities
• Check for early signs of gingivitis
• Perform oral prophylaxis, commonly known as dental cleaning

During the cleaning procedure, the dental specialist will remove plaque, a thin layer of bacteria, from your child’s teeth. If left untreated, plaque can harden into tartar or other deposits between teeth. Fortunately, both can be addressed with a dental visit.

Routine checkups can also help reduce a child’s nervousness or anxiety about visiting the dentist. Your kid getting more familiar with professional dental care will make dental visits more comfortable as they grow older.

Dental Sealants

While brushing and flossing are essential for your child’s dental hygiene, they may need extra help to clean the hard-to-reach areas on top of their teeth. Plaque can accumulate in the fissures and cracks of their teeth, especially if not thoroughly cleaned regularly. Therefore, your kids dentist in Hackensack might recommend dental sealants.

Sealants are thin coatings of plastic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They create a protective layer by bonding with the teeth’s depressions and grooves, filling in small crevices to make brushing and cleaning easier. This reduces the likelihood of plaque buildup.

Sealants should be applied to your child’s newly erupting premolars and molars. With proper care, sealants can last more than a year. If they come off, inform your dentist so they can be replaced.

Fluoride Treatment

Fluoride is a substance applied topically to the teeth that repairs the protective enamel layer and prevents tooth decay. This is crucial because weakened enamel can be more susceptible to decay-causing bacteria. Additionally, fluoride can help with sensitive teeth.

Low concentrations of fluoride are present in some mouthwashes and toothpastes. Using these products can help maintain your child’s dental health at home. For higher concentrations, your pediatric dentist in Hackensack can apply fluoride in the form of a gel or varnish.

Fluoride treatments are generally recommended every 3 to 4 months, although your dental specialist may suggest a different schedule based on your child’s specific needs. The treatment is quick and painless. After the procedure, prevent your child from eating or drinking for at least 30 minutes. Additionally, avoid brushing and flossing for the next 6 hours.

Dental Fillings

Your child might still be learning how to properly brush and floss their teeth, putting them at a higher risk of developing cavities. You may wonder if treating cavities can be delayed since baby teeth are temporary and will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth.

However, cavities in baby teeth should be addressed promptly. Untreated cavities can cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult for your child to enjoy their favorite foods or interact with other children. Additionally, untreated cavities can lead to infections and other complications.

To treat cavities, your dental specialist may use a filling. They will first remove the decayed material and clean the area. Next, they will prepare the tooth before filling it with a composite resin material that matches your child’s tooth color. This procedure preserves the tooth and helps prevent further decay. If necessary, the dentist may use local anesthesia to ensure your child’s comfort during the procedure.

When Should a Child See a Pediatric Dentist?

We recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit with a pediatric dentist by age one or soon after they get their first teeth. Early dental care ensures they receive the right examinations and appropriate treatment to help prevent dental problems in the future. It is especially important to look after their baby or primary teeth.

The Importance of Caring for Baby Teeth

Before your child is born, their first set of teeth, called baby or primary teeth, have already formed in their jaws. They begin erupting around six months, and it’s important to begin caring for them properly.

Although baby teeth are not permanent, they are vital to your child’s development. They act as placeholders for adult teeth and enable your child to begin eating a more varied and nutritious diet. Baby teeth also allow your child to learn to speak clearly so they can start communicating with others.

Baby Teeth Can Develop Cavities

Without the right care, baby teeth can soon develop cavities. They are covered with a thinner layer of tooth enamel than adult teeth, making them more vulnerable to decay.

A child’s primary teeth are more likely to develop cavities if you send them to bed with a bottle containing a sugary liquid, a problem called baby bottle syndrome. Allowing them to eat lots of sugary foods can have the same effect. Failing to establish a good dental care routine also increases the risk of cavities.

“Parents should ensure that their child receives dental care from a pediatric dentist at an early age if they suspect any potential dental issues. It’s crucial to prioritize dental health for children, regardless of their age.” – Dr. Raymond Duong D.M.D

What Happens If Baby Teeth Are Lost Too Soon?

If baby teeth are lost too soon, the remaining baby teeth may drift towards the empty spaces left behind. As the adult teeth try to erupt, there may be insufficient room for them to come through. Your child may need an orthodontic appliance called a space maintainer to hold open the gap until the adult teeth are ready to erupt, or early tooth loss can increase the need for orthodontics later.

Cleaning Baby Teeth

Initially, you may only need to wipe them with a clean piece of gauze or washcloth, but as more teeth emerge, you must begin brushing them with an infant toothbrush and a small smear of toothpaste. It’s vital to remember your baby cannot spit out toothpaste at this age, so don’t use too much. If you are unsure how to clean your baby’s teeth, ask us for help and advice.

What Happens When a Child First Visits a Dental Office?

When children first see a dentist, they are usually curious about a new environment, and our gentle approach to children’s dental care will help them feel relaxed. Hopefully, they will enjoy a ride in the dental chair. We know young children struggle to sit still, and a pediatric dentist specializes in ensuring treatments are more comfortable. The aim is to ensure this and every future visit is a positive and enjoyable experience.

Our pediatric dentist will conduct a dental exam to check your child’s teeth, gums, and jaws are growing and developing correctly and to assess their oral tissues. We use child-sized dental tools designed to fit into smaller mouths more comfortably. A dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar buildup, leaving your child with beautifully fresh breath.

We Work Closely with Parents

We work closely with parents and can help create healthy oral habits, such as demonstrating the right techniques for brushing and flossing a child’s teeth. Our pediatric dentist can discuss the importance of diet and how it affects dental health and other matters concerning oral health.

We know that brushing and flossing a young child’s teeth can be tricky for everyone concerned. However, we have some tips that can help make this essential task more enjoyable and fun for you both. We aim to provide parents with all the information needed to look after their child’s mouth until they are old enough to brush and floss independently.

Teaching Your Child Healthy Oral Habits

As your child grows up, they will want to begin brushing and flossing their teeth on their own. We can help by working with them directly so they learn the best techniques right from the start. We can also gently explain why good dental care is so important.

Sometimes, it can be easier for a child to learn this from dental professionals rather than parents. We use age-appropriate language and are experts in educating children in a fun yet informative way.

Assessing Your Child’s Teeth, Jaws, and Facial Development

As your child grows up, their facial bones, teeth, and jaws develop quickly and must be monitored carefully. As more teeth erupt, our top-rated dentist will continually check their bite during every dental checkup. If required, we may recommend an early orthodontic evaluation.

An early orthodontic evaluation can take place as soon as age five or six and can be useful because your child’s jaws and facial bones are still developing. If necessary, their growth can be guided using orthodontic appliances. Sometimes, this approach can eliminate the need for braces during their teens or reduce the time needed for orthodontic care later.

Caring for Teenage Teeth

As children enter their teens and become more independent, it’s crucial to ensure they continue coming to see us for regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments, even if they are busy. If your teen is wearing braces, we can ensure they know how to clean around them thoroughly.

We can continue providing useful age-appropriate information, such as how to maintain fresh breath and how their dietary choices may affect oral health. For example, busy teens often grab snacks that can be laden with harmful sugars. Our pediatric dentist can explain which foods are better than others and why, helping them make better choices that protect their oral and overall health.

Pediatric dentistry helps children grow up enjoying all the benefits of healthy, confident, and attractive smiles. Our dental office uses the latest preventive dentistry techniques to provide pediatric dentistry safely and comfortably.

We like to begin seeing children while they are still young; if your child is older and has yet to see a pediatric dentist, it’s never too late to establish a regular preventive dental care routine. Please contact us to schedule an appointment with our friendly pediatric dental team. A healthy, attractive smile is a wonderful asset and a great gift to give your child.