Pediatric Dentistry in Gilbert, AZ
Pediatric Dentistry in Gilbert, AZ
Trusted Gilbert Pediatric Dentist for Kids
Your child’s smile deserves the best, and at Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry, we provide exceptional care with a gentle touch. From routine cleanings to specialized treatments, our team is dedicated to making each visit enjoyable, so kids feel at ease and parents know their little ones are in great hands.
Specializing in dental care for infants, children, adolescents, teens, and individuals with special needs. From the very first visit, we provide the care and guidance needed to build a foundation for lifelong oral health.
A pediatric dentist completes an additional two to three years of specialized training after dental school, focusing exclusively on children’s oral health from infancy through the teen years. Since young children, pre-teens, and teenagers all require different care approaches, a pediatric dentist is uniquely trained to guide their dental development, manage behavior, and help prevent future issues—ensuring the best care at every stage.
Many parents are advised to bring their child to the dentist at age 3 or 4, but by then, cavities may have already developed, often requiring more extensive treatment. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit by age 1 to prevent decay, establish healthy habits, and ensure proper oral development. As a pediatric dental office, we specialize in early childhood dental care, helping to protect little smiles from the start!
Keeping primary (baby) teeth healthy is essential for your child’s overall dental development. Untreated cavities can lead to issues that impact emerging permanent teeth. Baby teeth play a key role in proper chewing, eating, and speech development. They also help maintain space for permanent teeth, guiding them into the right position, and support normal jaw and muscle development. While the front four teeth fall out around ages 6-7, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) remain until ages 10-13, making their care just as important.
A child’s teeth start forming before birth, and by around 4 months, the first baby teeth—usually the bottom front teeth —begin to emerge. These are soon followed by the upper front teeth. While all 20 primary teeth typically arrive by age 3, the timing and order can vary.
Permanent teeth start coming in around age 6, beginning with the first molars and lower central incisors. By age 8, most children have lost their four bottom and four top front baby teeth, making way for permanent ones. After a brief pause from ages 8-10, the remaining permanent teeth continue erupting until around age 21.
Adults typically have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 if wisdom teeth are present.
Toothache: Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse the mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain still exists, contact your child’s pediatric dentist. Do not place aspirin or heat on the gum or on the aching tooth. If the face is swollen, apply cold compresses and contact your dentist immediately.
Knocked Out Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist. Unlike with a permanent tooth, the baby tooth should not be replanted due to possible damage to the developing permanent tooth. In most cases, no treatment is necessary.
Knocked Out Permanent Tooth: If possible, find the tooth. Handle it by the crown, not by the root. You may rinse the tooth with water only. DO NOT clean with soap, scrub or handle the tooth unnecessarily. Inspect the tooth for fractures. If it is sound, try to reinsert it in the socket. Have the patient hold the tooth in place by biting on a gauze or clean cloth. If you cannot reinsert the tooth, transport the tooth in a cup containing the patient’s saliva or milk, NOT water. If the patient is old enough, the tooth may also be carried in the patient’s mouth (beside the cheek). The patient must see a dentist IMMEDIATELY! Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.
Chipped/Fractured Baby Tooth: Contact your pediatric dentist.
Chipped/Fractured Permanent Tooth: Time is a critical factor, contact your pediatric dentist immediately so as to reduce the chance for infection or the need for extensive dental treatment in the future. Rinse the mouth with water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. If you can find the broken tooth piece, bring it with you to the dentist.
Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw: Keep the jaw from moving and take your child to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Dental x-rays are a vital and necessary part of your child’s dental diagnostic process. Without them, certain dental conditions can and will be missed.
X-rays can detect much more than cavities. For example, x-rays may be needed to survey erupting teeth, diagnose bone diseases, evaluate the results of an injury, or plan orthodontic treatment. X-rays allow dentists to diagnose and treat health conditions that cannot be detected during a clinical examination. If dental problems are found and treated early, dental care is more comfortable for your child and more affordable for you.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental x-rays and examinations every six months for children with a high risk of tooth decay. On average, most pediatric dentists request x-rays approximately once a year. Approximately every 3 years, it is a good idea to obtain a complete set of x-rays, either a panoramic and bitewings or periapicals and bitewings.
Pediatric dentists take extra care to minimize radiation exposure during dental x-rays. With modern safety measures, the radiation received is extremely low and poses little to no risk—far less than the potential harm of an undetected dental issue. Lead aprons and shields provide additional protection, while advanced equipment filters out unnecessary x-rays and focuses only on the needed area. High-speed film and proper shielding further ensure that your child’s exposure remains minimal.
Brushing is essential for good oral health, but not all toothpastes are safe for young smiles. Some contain harsh abrasives that can wear down enamel. To protect your child’s teeth, choose a toothpaste with the American Dental Association (ADA) seal, ensuring it has been tested for safety.
For children under 3, use only a smear of toothpaste—about the size of a grain of rice. Kids ages 3 to 6 should use a pea-sized amount, with adult assistance to ensure proper brushing. Since young children can’t brush effectively on their own, help them and encourage spitting out excess toothpaste instead of swallowing.
This is a very common occurrence with children, usually the result of a lower, primary (baby) tooth not falling out when the permanent tooth is coming in. In most cases if the child starts wiggling the baby tooth, it will usually fall out on its own within two months. If it doesn’t, then contact your pediatric dentist, where they can easily remove the tooth. The permanent tooth should then slide into the proper place.
CONTACT
- Sweet Tooth Pediatric Dentistry
- 5656 S Power Rd, Suite #118
- Gilbert, AZ 85295
