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Whittington Pediatric Dentistry is a full-service dental practice that serves children and teenagers. We provide thorough dental checkups and professional cleanings along with preventive treatments and patient education services.

Cleanings and Checkups

Patients should receive two cleanings and checkups per year. Scheduling regular appointments for your child is important for establishing good oral health and positive associations with dental settings. Dental checkups are very thorough. Depending on your child’s age, we will utilize diagnostic technology that can detect tooth decay in its earliest stages as well as abnormalities that might affect structures not seen, hard tissue, and soft oral tissue. Abnormalities such as growths that appear in the oral cavity and neck might be sent to pathology to be tested for oral cancer. While oral cancer is rare among children, our practice prefers to err on the side of caution.

Like checkups, cleanings are important for establishing healthy teeth and gums. During a cleaning, substances are removed above and below the gum line that contribute to common oral disease. Our hygienists can also make recommendations if they find that home care practices are insufficient.

Preventive Treatments

Whenever possible, our practice strives to prevent the development of dental caries. Common preventive treatments we offer are fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Fluoride treatments involve applying prescription strength fluoride in a flavored varnish or foam. It is then left on the teeth for a few minutes so that it can replenish lost minerals in tooth enamel. Strong tooth enamel is essential for protecting teeth from cavity-causing bacteria.

In addition to fluoride treatments, we offer dental sealants. Since teeth – especially the molars – tend to have noticeable pits and grooves, they are prone to tooth decay on their biting surfaces. This is because bacteria and debris can collect in these spots. To strengthen teeth, we can apply a clear dental sealant that is made from cavity-resistant materials. A dental sealant is not noticeable and will not affect the aesthetics of a smile.

First Dental Visits & Anticipatory Guidance

We certainly want your child’s first dental visit to be a pleasant one. Our practice offers a kid-friendly environment that is welcoming to children of all ages. We recommend that your child have their first dental checkup when their first teeth come in or when they turn one year old, whichever comes first. During your first visit, we will take down important information about your child’s progress and development as well as notes on your family medical and dental history. Our dentist will perform a physical examination of your child’s mouth and neck to look for signs of any developmental abnormalities.

Anticipatory guidance is a service where we provide education to parents on how to maintain their child’s oral health and anticipate changes as their child develops. We have a wealth of information available to families in the form of pamphlets and online resources. Feel free to ask our team for guidance any time you have a question.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a pediatric dentist?

A pediatric dentist is a specialist who has training and education to work with children and teens. To operate a pediatric dentistry practice, one must have a general dentist degree along with additional advanced education, training, and board certifications.

The specialty training to practice pediatrics means that a dentist will have a deep understanding of a child’s dental and oral anatomy as well as intricate knowledge of their physiological development. This will allow a pediatric dentist to detect potential abnormalities as a child grows older that might require treatment.

Part of a pediatric dentist’s training involves understanding children’s behavior and psychology to help establish positive associations with receiving dental care. Since our patients will see us for many years, we strive to foster great relationships with families in our community.

When should I bring my child for their first dental visit?

The American Dental Association and our practice recommend that you bring your child in for his or her first dental appointment on or shortly after his or her first birthday. During this initial visit, we will take information about your family’s oral health and general medical history while also performing a short, non-invasive physical examination. Our dentist will look for congenital and potential developmental abnormalities. We will also give you helpful information on keeping your young child’s mouth clean and healthy. By the age of four or five, your child should receive his or her first dental cleaning.

My child has special needs, can you help us?

Part of practicing pediatric dentistry involves working with children who have special needs. Whether your child has physical or mental special needs, we will do everything we can to ensure that your son or daughter has a positive experience with our team. All children deserve excellent oral healthcare and we strive to provide a welcoming and compassionate environment to all our guests.

What can I expect with our first dental visit?

Your experience with your first dental visit at our practice will vary depending on your situation. For instance, if you are bringing your child to his or her first appointment ever, we will take information about your family’s dental and medical history and perform an oral examination. The scope of an oral examination will depend on age; older children will receive X-rays while one-year-olds will not.

If you are coming to our practice after using another dentist in the past, we will take information in the form of questionnaires and perform a dental checkup, too. We might request that you bring or have your previous practitioner send your dental records to our practice so that we can have a thorough understanding of your child’s dental history, unique oral anatomy, and knowledge of previous treatments and procedures.

All first visits to our practice are welcoming. We will introduce ourselves to you and your child and give you a tour of our facilities. Our staff is here to answer your questions and facilitate the beginning of a beneficial relationship with your oral healthcare provider.