Dentistry for Babies, Children and Teens in Portland
As your children get older, their dental needs change. For instance, younger kids may need help with teething and learning proper oral hygiene, while older kids might need cavity prevention, braces or wisdom tooth assessments. Instead of switching dentists as your child grows, you need a pediatric dental service provider who can offer care appropriate for every stage of their young lives.
The Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics team is experienced in caring for kids from infancy until they’re ready to head off to college. This continuity of care helps your child feel more comfortable visiting the dentist and makes it easier for you to manage your kids’ oral health properly at every stage.
Understanding Pediatric Dentistry
Just as children see pediatricians for age-specific medical care, they need pediatric dentists for tailored oral health care. Pediatric dentistry is a specialized field focusing on the unique dental needs of infants, children and teens. Unlike regular dental practices that serve adults, pediatric dentists understand what kids need — they have experience working with children of all temperaments and personality types.
At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our dentists have completed specialized training and coursework beyond dental school to prepare them to work with children. They understand everything from child-specific treatments to behavior management and gentle care techniques. Your child’s mouth requires gentle hands and special expertise, and that’s exactly what we provide.
We also love the joy and curiosity our young patients bring. Every child is different, and we tailor our treatments to fit each child’s needs, ensuring a positive and stress-free experience.
What are you waiting for? Now is the perfect time to establish a reliable dental home for your child. Your child is developing long-term dental habits that will set them up for lifelong oral health. If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Portland, Oregon, look no further than Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. We can’t wait to help your kids get excited about going to the dentist.
Dental Care for Babies
Many parents don’t realize the importance of starting their child’s dental care early. Some don’t take their child to the dentist until age two. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that infants have their initial dental checkup within six months of their first tooth eruption, usually around their first birthday.
If your baby is over the age of one and has never been to the dentist, don’t worry. It’s never too late to bring your infant to Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics and establish us as their dental home. The younger your child is when they begin their dental appointments with us, the more familiar they can become with the office atmosphere and even start recognizing our dental staff. This process allows us to help alleviate much of the childhood fear of the dentist that can develop.
What to Expect During Your Baby’s Early Dental Visits
Your initial visits to Portland’s leading Pediatric dentist mainly involve consultations for parents followed by regular checkups and exams.
- Consultations: You can ask the dentist questions about your baby’s oral care from your initial appointment and beyond. We’ll also discuss the timing of tooth eruptions, the use of bottles and pacifiers, diet, toothbrushing techniques and the possible use of fluoride.
- Infant dental exam: During the exam, your dentist will inspect your baby’s mouth, count their teeth and more. Your child’s dental caregiver will perform the exam with your baby sitting on your lap to ensure as little anxiety as possible. Our dentist sits directly in front of you and gently examines your infant with their head resting on the dentist’s lap. This strategy allows you to be intimately involved in the dental appointment in case your child needs comfort.
These initial dentist visits allow us to work with you to ensure that you and your baby avoid the pitfalls leading to tooth decay. They also ensure that future dental visits and treatment are more pleasant.
Dental Care for Children
Kids grow up so fast. By age three, most children have their complete set of baby teeth. Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides care and support throughout all stages of a child’s dental growth. This phase is one of the most crucial, and our primary goal is to ensure that children have healthy teeth and good habits from a young age.
How We Address Your Child’s Anxiety
If your child still gets anxious about visiting the dentist, don’t worry. We make every trip to our facility as enjoyable and comfortable as possible. Our staff comprises the friendliest pediatric dentists in Portland who love working with kids and will cater to their comfort level. In addition, we can play your child’s favorite movie during their oral cleanings to put them more at ease. After all, when a trip to the dentist is an fun experience filled with familiar faces, your kids will look forward to it more.
As your child gets older, they’ll be willing and able to sit in our dental chair all by themselves as you watch from the side. This step allows us to perform a more thorough dental evaluation. These regular checkups will usually involve the following:
- Cleaning and polishing your child’s teeth
- Counting their teeth
- Checking for tooth decay, gingivitis and gum irregularities
At each stage of your child’s development, we’ll evaluate their jaw growth, inspect their quality of oral hygiene, and see if there are any areas of trauma to ensure everything is on track. We will also discuss oral habits that we observe, like thumb-sucking or teeth-grinding. If we think your child may need x-rays to check for tooth decay or even a preventive fluoride treatment, we’ll always consult with you first. We understand your reservations and will always respect your wishes and concerns.
Orthodontic Evaluation
When your child is seven, we may recommend their first orthodontist appointment. Our office also specializes in orthodontic care, which involves fixing teeth and jaw alignment to ensure teeth are straight and that the bite (how teeth fit together) is correct. A dentist for kids in Portland who also offers orthodontic care makes it easier for you and your child, as you won’t have to go to different places for different services.
Most kids don’t need orthodontic treatment at this stage. However, the first appointment will allow us to identify any orthodontic issues that may be developing or already present.
Dental Care for Teens
By the time your kid reaches the age of 12, dental exams will be a breeze. Unfortunately, oral hygiene may be another issue. This time is a crucial phase in their oral health, as most of their baby teeth have been lost, and their permanent teeth have grown. Our goal at this stage is to instill a feeling of responsibility in adolescents so that they will take charge of their oral health.
Personalized Dental Care for Teenagers
At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we take an individualized approach to teenagers’ care. We continue to educate them about proper oral hygiene and the prevention of tooth decay. We also listen to their concerns and input so that we can create a home care regimen that works for them and keeps their smile sparkling clean.
Orthodontic treatment is also most common when children reach their teens. Luckily, we have an ABO-certified orthodontist, so you won’t have to go to another office for these services. We’ll be able to set up a consultation to discuss options with you, such as braces or Invisalign.
Schedule Your Child’s Dentist Appointment Today
We’re excited to be a part of your child’s oral health journey. At every phase, your kid deserves a place where they feel comfortable and happy. Schedule an appointment to meet one of our pediatric dentists at Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, or call 503-477-9911.
