Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry provides gentle, compassionate care, beginning around the age of one and continuing through the teen years. The exceptional team at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, offers a dental home where children and parents can count on a supportive environment and comfortable care. The team teaches children about dental care and provides preventive dentistry that sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth. If you have questions about pediatric dentistry or want to schedule an appointment, call the office in Woodbridge, Virginia, or book online today.

What is pediatric dentistry?

A pediatric dentist specializes in providing preventive and restorative dental care for children. The pediatric specialists at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, believe that dental education at an early age creates healthy habits that stay with children throughout their lifetime.

As a result, they devote time to teaching children about the value of dental care and how to take care of their teeth and gums.

Why do pediatric dentists care for baby teeth?

Baby teeth need routine brushing to keep them free of decay. Though baby teeth are temporary, they still need daily dental care because the last teeth don't fall out until your child is 10-12 years old.

In addition to chewing food, baby teeth support proper speech development and hold a space for their permanent teeth. This helps ensure your child's permanent teeth come in straight and well-aligned.

When should children see their pediatric dentist?

Infants should have their first dental visit after their first tooth comes in (around six months) or no later than the age of one. Your pediatric dentist at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, keeps their first visit casual, focusing on getting them familiar with the staff and office environment.

If your child is comfortable, they perform a visual exam of their teeth and mouth. However, the team at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, places a high value on making sure your child feels safe and comfortable, so they don't force an exam at this age.

A child's first complete dental checkup should occur after their baby teeth come in or by their third birthday.

What services are available through pediatric dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry at Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, includes all the dental services your child may need. In addition to routine checkups, sedation dentistry, and emergency dentistry, pediatric services include:

• Dental sealants
• Fluoride treatments
• Teeth cleaning
• Tooth-colored fillings
• Sports mouthguards
• Pulp therapy
• Space maintainers
• Habit appliances (to break habits that damage teeth)
• Dental crowns (zirconia and stainless steel)

This list isn't comprehensive, but it offers a good idea of the most common pediatric dental services.

Pediatric dentists also work closely with parents, answering questions and teaching them what they need to know about their child's dental care. Parents often have questions about how much toothpaste to use, using floss, and dietary guidelines for healthy teeth.

If your child needs gentle dental care, call Lifetime Dental Care, PLLC, or book an appointment online today.