Why Should I Take My Child to a Pediatric Dentist in Palo Alto?

You take your child to a pediatrician to treat their health needs because of the specialized training they have received. The best pediatric dentist has additional training to treat your child's oral health needs. Dr. Michelle and Dr. Grover have completed training after dental school that qualifies them to expertly treat children's dental needs.

What Is the Difference Between a Pediatric Dentist and a Family Dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist in Palo Alto has two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limits their practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

Why Are Early Childhood Dental Visits Important?

The sooner your child begins having regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will be. Early checkups detect and prevent tooth decay and cavities, which cause pain and other medical issues. When your child's teeth are healthy, they can chew their food easily, speak clearly, and have a confident smile.

When Should I Take My Child for Their First Pediatric Dental Check-Up in Palo Alto?

The Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday in order to prevent dental problems.

Are Baby Teeth Really That Important?

Baby teeth are important to help children speak clearly and chew naturally. They also aid in forming a path permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

What Should I Look for in a Pediatric Dentist in Palo Alto?

You'll want to check a dentist's qualifications and ensure they are certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. They should have adequate experience, local hospital privileges, and positive reviews. You'll want to know they provide a wide range of services to treat your child's dental concerns. For all of these qualifications and more, look no further than the best dentist for kids in Palo Alto: Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry.

What Ages Does a Pediatric Dentist Treat?

Pediatric dentists Dr. Michelle and Dr. Grover are specially trained and ready to treat babies, children, and teenagers up to age 18.

Are You Accepting New Pediatric Dental Patients in Palo Alto?

Yes! We are accepting new patients and our doctors spend as much time as necessary to get to know and understand the needs of each patient.

What Should I Do If My Child Knocks Out a Permanent Tooth?

The most important thing to do is to remain calm and find the knocked-out tooth. Hold it by the crown rather than the root, put the tooth in a glass of milk, and call us. We can help with children's emergency dental needs in Palo Alto, so you can bring your child and the tooth immediately in to see our pediatric dentist. For young children, do not place the tooth back in the socket, as this could be a choking hazard.

Why Visit the Pediatric Dentist Twice a Year When My Child Has Never Had a Cavity?

Regular visits to the pediatric dentist in Palo Alto help keep your child cavity-free. Teeth cleanings remove buildup that is not easily removed by simple brushing and may irritate gums and cause decay. Fluoride treatments renew the content in the enamel and help strengthen your child's teeth. Proper dental hygiene improves your child's teeth and gums and overall health. More frequent visits may be recommended by Dr. Michelle or Dr. Grover based on your child's personal oral health.

When Will My Baby Start Getting Teeth?

Teething, or the process of baby teeth coming through the gums and into the mouth, varies among babies. Generally, the lower anterior teeth are the first baby teeth to appear in the mouth between 6 and 8 months of age. Some babies are born with teeth, some have neonatal teeth, and some begin teething after 12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit before his/her first birthday.

What Should I Use to Clean My Baby's Teeth?

A toothbrush removes plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head should be used twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime, on children.

When Should We Begin Using Toothpaste and How Much Should We Use?

The sooner, the better! Starting at birth, clean your child's gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. Parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. Once children are 3 to 6 years old, the amount should be increased to a pea-sized dollop, and you should continue to assist your child's teeth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing. There are many excellent kinds of toothpaste on the market today. Try different brands and flavors of toothpaste to see which ones your child likes the best. Check the ingredients of the toothpaste. Fluoride or xylitol can help to prevent cavities and should be used with adult supervision.

Are Dental X-Rays Safe for My Child?

Dental X-rays are safe and pose minimal risks to children. Preventative measures, such as a lead apron and digital radiography, minimize these risks. At Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry in Palo Alto, we use state-of-the-art digital X-ray machines that have minimal exposure. In addition, we use monitors to gauge the radiation exposure in our office.

Why Does My Child Need Dental Radiographs (X-Rays)?

The need for dental X-rays varies from child to child. Dental X-rays are used to survey erupting teeth, check for bone diseases, check for cavities, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. Dentists use these X-rays to diagnose and treat conditions that cannot be detected by a clinical exam alone. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends radiographic exams every six months on children at high risk of tooth decay. Children at low risk for dental decay will require X-rays less frequently.

Is Fluoride Safe for Children?

At Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry, we take your child's overall health seriously. Fluoride is beneficial and safe in the right amount, applied both topically and in drinking water. We educate all parents on the risks and benefits of fluoride for kids.

How Do Dental Sealants for Children Work?

Children's dental sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years. We use BPA-free plastic material to seal children's teeth.

What Are Composite Fillings?

A composite filling is a tooth-colored, BPA-free plastic material that is used to repair kids' teeth. There are several reasons why kids might need composite fillings:

• Repair and fill cavities
• Repair broken or fractured teeth
• Repair chipped teeth
• Adjust the size or shape of teeth
• Change the color of the teeth or reshape disfigured teeth for cosmetic reasons

Composite fillings are part of our suite of restorative dentistry services here at Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry in Palo Alto.

What Is a Pulpotomy?

A pulpotomy, or baby root canals, is performed if the cavity reaches the nerve of the tooth in a child. In a pulpotomy, the portion of the nerve infected by the cavity is removed, the area is sterilized and sealed. The child's tooth is then covered by a dental crown to protect it from breaking or fracturing. A pulpotomy is usually done using a local anesthetic, but Dr. Michelle and Dr. Grover always take into consideration the individual child and their unique needs.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

To help relieve your child's toothache, thoroughly clean the area around the sore tooth. Then rinse the child's mouth with warm salt water, or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. Apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling. Call us at Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry in Palo Alto to see Dr. Michelle or Dr. Grover as soon as possible.

Are Thumbsucking and Pacifier Habits Harmful for a Child?

Thumb and pacifier sucking habits will generally only become a problem if they go on for a very long period of time. Most children stop these habits on their own, but if they are still sucking their thumbs or fingers past the age of three, a mouth appliance may be recommended by the best pediatric dentist in Palo Alto.

How Do I Make My Child's Diet Safe for His Teeth?

Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish, and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also help protect your child's teeth from decay. You can also ask the best pediatric dentist in Palo Alto at Little Bytes to help you select foods that protect your children's teeth.

What Can I Do to Protect My Child's Teeth While Playing Sports?

Soft, plastic mouthguards in Palo Alto can be used to protect a child's teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums from sports-related injuries. A custom-fitted mouthguard developed by the best pediatric dentist in Palo Alto at Little Bytes will protect your child from injuries to the teeth and face and even provide protection from severe injuries to the head.

How Can Parents Help Prevent Tooth Decay in Kids?

Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish, and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also help protect your child's teeth from decay. You can also ask the best pediatric dentist in Palo Alto at Little Bytes to help you select foods that protect your children's teeth.