Pediatric Dentistry in El Paso

El Paso Family Dental provides pediatric dentistry in El Paso, TX. Call 915-585-2020 to learn more and schedule an appointment.

What Is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry refers to dental care specifically for children. The dental needs of children and adolescents vary from that of adults in a few distinct ways. In the case of infants and toddlers, their primary (baby) teeth are still coming in. School-aged children are beginning to shed their primary teeth as the permanent teeth start coming in. Children and adolescents are still growing and developing, which includes their jaw, face, and skull. All of these factors are important when it comes to providing quality dental care.

Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry

Pediatric dentistry offers many dental and overall health benefits:

Prevent tooth decay. Regular pediatric dental visits for teeth cleaning and oral examinations help to prevent tooth decay and keep the teeth healthy.
Prompt treatment. If there are dental health concerns, they can be detected early by regular oral examinations and treated, such as fillings for cavities.
Prepare the way for permanent teeth. The primary teeth allow children to chew effectively and develop speech, but they also serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth. Healthy baby teeth yield healthy permanent teeth.
Prevent gum disease. Routine pediatric dental cleanings can prevent gum disease, a bacterial infection of the gums that can become serious when left untreated. Healthy gums provide healthy support for both primary and permanent teeth.
Early orthodontic monitoring. Pediatric dental exams include an orthodontic screening, which can detect misalignment of the teeth and bite that may need to be treated. In many cases orthodontic treatment won’t be necessary until adolescence, but in some cases there is a need for early orthodontic intervention.
Establish positive dental experiences. When children get used to going to the dentist from a young age they are less likely to be afraid and develop anxiety associated with dental care.
Lay the foundation for lifelong dental health. An early start with dental care lays the foundation for a lifetime of dental health.

Procedures Offered

We provide the following pediatric dental services:

First Dental Visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that infants have their first dental visit around their first birthday or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in. The first dental visit may include a brief oral examination and dental cleaning according to the comfort level of the child.

Dentistry for Infants. Infant dentistry is important because there can be oral health issues before there are any teeth visible and dental issues as soon as a single tooth erupts through the gums. Dental care should start early to provide the necessary preventive measures to keep the teeth and mouth healthy.

Dentistry for Adolescents. Pediatric dentistry continues into adolescence because the mouth, jaw, and face are all still growing and developing. In some cases there are still some primary teeth that need to be shed so that permanent teeth can come in. This is also the most common age for orthodontic care, which puts the teeth at greater risk of tooth decay.

Interceptive Orthodontics. To prepare for later orthodontic treatment, interceptive orthodontics uses appliances to help guide facial and jaw bones as they grow, and provide necessary space for incoming permanent teeth. Some patients may require further orthodontic treatment once all permanent teeth have come in.

Pulpotomy. The blood vessels, nerves, and tissue that keep a tooth healthy and alive are located in the tooth’s pulp, which is protected by the outer enamel and tooth structure. Sometimes the pulp can become infected. The infected pulp can be removed with this treatment.

Frenectomies. A frenectomy is a simple surgical procedure performed to release the connection of the “frenum,” a connective muscle between two tissues. There are two types of oral frenectomies that are frequently performed on both adults and children. Our office uses a Gemini Evo laser to make the process easy and pain-free.

Why Choose El Paso Family Dental?

As a family dental practice, our services include pediatric dentistry. What makes family dentistry convenient is that the whole family, regardless of age, can receive dental care in one location. It also means that children don’t have to switch dental practices when they reach adulthood. Their care can continue at the same office with the same dentist and staff who know their dental history. We enjoy providing lifelong dental care to patients from infanthood to adulthood and getting to know children as they grow.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentistry

Is it worth having cavities filled in baby teeth?

Unless the tooth is already loose, we recommend filling a cavity. Baby teeth often stay in place for many years and an untreated cavity can worsen until it becomes painful. Extracting baby teeth before they are ready to be shed can cause the space to close up where the permanent tooth should be coming in. A simple filling at the first sign of a cavity is usually the best treatment option.

When should babies get their first tooth?

The first tooth usually comes in between 6 and 12 months. Some babies will get teeth earlier, and others may have no visible teeth at age one or older. If your baby reaches 18 months without any visible teeth, we may want to do an oral evaluation.

At what age should all of the permanent teeth be in place?

There is no definite age for the shedding of the last primary tooth and the eruption of the final permanent tooth. Most children will have all of their permanent teeth by the age of 13, with the exception of the wisdom teeth which come in later in the teenage years or early adulthood.

How often should children go to the dentist?

Children as well as patients of all ages should go to the dentist at least every 6 months for teeth cleanings and oral examinations. This is the frequency recommended by dental experts and accepted by dental insurance providers.

What can be done to help children who are afraid to go to the dentist?

We do our best to provide a positive experience whenever children come to our office. However, if there is trauma from a previous experience that we are not able to overcome, we provide sedation options to help children relax and feel more comfortable.