Caring Family Dentist

Modesto, Manteca, Ceres, Turlock, Salida, Ripon, California Dentist

Children’s Dentistry / Pediatric Dentistry

According to "Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General,” cavities are the most common childhood ailment. Many parents do not think their children need to visit the dentist until they have all their baby teeth in, but this is not true. Visits to the dentist should begin as soon as your child’s first tooth comes in, and dental hygiene should begin even before that.

When your child is a baby, you should gently clean his or her gums with a wet washcloth after each feeding. When the first tooth comes in, use a baby toothbrush to gently remove food residue from the tooth.

Pediatric Tooth Issues

Children are susceptible to all the same tooth issues that affect adults. Particularly because children are often allowed to eat foods high in sugar and starch, plaque can build up very quickly. When proper care is not taken, children develop cavities and their health can suffer.

Children may also need orthodontics at as young as six years of age. Because some children develop their adult teeth this young, care should be taken to treat problems as they arise. Many children’s teeth grow in crooked or crowded, and early orthodontics treatment can save money and frustration down the road by preventing further complications before they develop.

Visiting the Dentist

By the age of one, your child is likely to have one or more baby teeth. At Sierra Dental Care, we offer pediatric dentistry services for children of all ages – from when their first tooth appears up until their adult teeth have come in. We offer cleanings and can also apply a sealant to your child’s teeth to help keep them protected from debris and plaque.

Learn how to go about Choosing the Right Children's Dentist.

Bringing your children to the dentist’s office at a young age will also help them develop good oral hygiene practices which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Although Sierra Dental Care does not offer sedation dentistry for children, we are always careful to make sure that your child is comfortable throughout the entire treatment process.

If you live in the Modesto, Manteca, Turlock, Ripon, Ceres, or Salida, California areas and would like to find out more about pediatric dentistry / children's dentistry or how to care for your children’s teeth, please contact our experienced Modesto family dentists today.