Happy & Healthy
At Teddy Dental we believe that good oral health begins at the very first tooth. From infancy to adolescence, our friendly team of pediatric specialists are devoted to providing personalized dental care to meet the individual needs of every child we serve.
“Utilizing her experience, passion, and specialty training treating children, Dr. Almasi will ensure that your child’s dental experience is a positive one.”
-Vicky Starke, Mom of 3 kids, Rancho Mirage
What is a Pediatric Dentist?
Pediatric Dentists are specially trained to provide oral health care to infants, children, teenagers and those with special needs. All Pediatric Dentists have an extra two years of training (in addition to the four years of dental school) in the treatment of children. This training includes behavior management, child psychology, preventative dentistry, oral conscious sedation, general anesthesia, management of trauma, and hospital dentistry.
They have been specially trained to monitor and guide dental development, which is important for the overall growth of a child’s permanent teeth.
What can be expected during a visit to a pediatric dentist?
Depending on the age and oral health of your child, Digital X-rays may be taken at the first exam. After the X-rays, the pediatric dentist will count your child’s teeth and perform a thorough examination. The next steps will be a cleaning, fluoride application and then applying possible sealants to help prevent cavities. If the child is under three years old, the Pediatric Dentist may perform a “knee-to-knee” exam with the child sitting on the parent’s lap and his/her head leaning back into the Pediatric Dentist. This will help make the child feel secure and safe during his/her first visit.
When should I take my child to a Pediatric Dentist?
Age 1
A child should see a pediatric dentist by his or her first birthday or when the first tooth comes in, which is typically between six and 12 months of age. However, you should start proper oral care immediately after birth by wiping the baby's gums after each feeding. Parents should also oversee brushing and flossing until around age nine and schedule dental checkups every six months until the child grows into an adult.
Ages 1-3
For children under 3 years of age, our main goal is to acclimate the child to the dentist, build trust and rapport, and educate parents. If your child is comfortable and it is deemed appropriate by the dentist, children under 3 may have their teeth brushed, flossed, and cleaned. Children who are frightened or uncooperative may only get an exam, usually with the parent holding the child for comfort. If your child has cavities or you have concerns, we will address those concerns during this first visit.
Ages 4 +
In addition to acclimating the patient, building trust, and educating parents, we will clean the teeth, take X-rays, and provide a fluoride treatment. We use a technique called "Tell, Show, and Do", which goes exactly as it sounds. We introduce the children to our dental instruments by letting them touch, feel, and experience the sensations before we do a procedure. We will always address any questions or concerns you have and let you know what to expect in the future.
