At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, our pediatric dentistry team combines our advanced knowledge of
dentistry for children dental techniques to create the perfect environment for our youngest patients to receive kids dental care safely.
We encourage you and your child to ask questions and are always here to address any concerns you have as a parent. We provide empathetic oral health education and use simple explanations to answer your child’s questions and reassure them.
We want to make sure your child has a lifetime of healthy smiles, so be sure to schedule their first dental appointment with us before their first birthday!
Your Child's First Dental Visit
As parents themselves, Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman understand that you want the best dental care possible for your child. At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to providing the highest quality pediatric dental care possible. It’s completely normal for a child to be unsure or nervous about their first dental visit, but at our comfortable Litchfield Park kids dentist office, they don’t have to be! Our dental practice is designed to make your child relaxed and excited to visit the dentist and located so you have a pediatric dentist near you.
Pediatric Dental Checkups
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) advises that children be seen for a checkup every 6 months. These visits allow Dr. [Name] to closely monitor new changes in your child’s mouth and ensure that you, as a parent, have the information you need to promote continued oral health in your child.
Dr. Warren or Dr. Hagerman may suggest additional checkups if your child is more susceptible to cavities or if your child is showing signs of orthodontic problems.
Teeth-Strengthening Mineral Application
Dental teeth-strengthening mineral application treatments are safe and effective in decreasing the amount of cavities in children. Our pediatric dental team often recommends this simple treatment along with dental sealants to help protect your child’s teeth. This teeth-strengthening mineral acts as a shield for the outer enamel of your child's teeth and can actually reverse early dental decay in some children.
Protective Pediatric Dental Sealants
Protective pediatric dental sealants are thin coats of plastic painted onto your child’s back teeth to protect their deep grooves and depressions from accumulating bacteria and food particles. Studies show that 88% of cavities in American school-aged children are caused by food and bacteria being caught in rear molars.
At Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry, we typically apply a protective sealant to your child’s back teeth, premolars and molars. The sealant will last for several years, but we will continue to check it during your child’s regular dental appointments.
Tooth Colored Dental Fillings
Treatment for cavities in children depends on how severe the decay is as well as each child’s age and risk of future cavities. At our Litchfield Park dentist office, we typically treat cavities with discreet, effective tooth-colored fillings.
Pulpotomy (Baby Root Canal)
Baby teeth are not as strong as adult teeth. If your child’s baby tooth suffers a large cavity, the bacteria can damage the pulp inside the tooth, causing pain and inflammation. When the soft tissue inside the pulp chamber becomes infected or inflamed, Dr. Hagerman or Dr. Warren might recommend a pulpotomy.
Instead of removing the entire tooth, our pediatric dental team will place a medicated filling into the pulp chamber to try to keep the remaining pulp inside the tooth alive and healthy.
Pediatric Dental Crowns
Dental crowns are tooth-shaped coverings cemented to a badly damaged tooth to restore the shape and functionality of the tooth. Dr. Warren and Dr. Hagerman may recommend a pediatric dental crown to protect your child’s tooth if it has a large cavity, was broken or chipped due to trauma, or if the tooth hasn’t developed correctly.
Tooth Extractions
Unfortunately, sometimes a child’s tooth may be too badly decayed to save. In this case, Dr. Warren or Dr. Hagerman will perform a gentle tooth extraction. An extraction may also be recommended if your child's tooth is severely fractured or is crowding other healthy teeth.
Tongue Tie Release Surgery (Frenectomy)
Your child’s tongue is an important part of their oral structure. It affects the position of the teeth, periodontal tissue, swallowing, speech development and nutrition. “Tongue Tie” is a condition where the tissue on the underside of the tongue that connects to the floor of their mouth is too short, limiting the tongue’s range of motion.
In infants, it can cause problems with breastfeeding, and in young children, it can cause problems with speech. Treatment for this condition is simple, can be completed in our office, and early intervention is key to a complete recovery.
Questions About Our Pediatric Dentistry Services?
Is your child due for a preventive checkup? Give Warren & Hagerman Family Dentistry a call to schedule their appointment today!
We provide comprehensive family dentistry services to keep your family's smiles healthy, confident, and bright.