Our Treatments
Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos extends a warm welcome to families in San Marcos, CA, and the surrounding communities. Our accomplished pediatric dentists, Dr. Nadia Bala and Dr. Greg Allen, are committed to providing the highest quality dental care to set the stage for long-term healthy smiles. Our kid-friendly staff never spares any effort to ensure the children in our care have positive experiences while learning how to care for their smiles.
The Importance of Seeing a Pediatric Dentist
People often believe caring for baby teeth doesn't matter because these pearly whites will fall out anyway, but that's not true. Caring for children's teeth is as important as dental care for adults. While baby teeth are only temporary, keeping them healthy will keep the permanent teeth healthy, and establishing a good diet and proper oral hygiene practices will help maintain your child's oral health throughout their lifetime.
Did you know that decay in baby teeth can impact the developing adult teeth? Maintaining a cavity-free smile will lower the chances of cavities in adult teeth. Moreover, baby teeth hold the space the adult teeth need to come into the correct alignment. Early baby tooth loss can cause the neighboring teeth to move toward the gap, leading to crooked teeth later in life. Taking care of your child's teeth right from the start helps ensure healthy adult smiles.
When Should You Schedule the First Dental Exam?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Dental Association recommend that children see a dentist by their first birthday. At Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos, we also believe that a dental visit by age one is essential to establish a "Dental Home" in case your child has a dental problem, similar to a pediatrician's "Medical Home" model.
What Happens During a Child's First Dental Exam?
Our pediatric dentists and team are dedicated to ensuring our young patients have positive experiences at our office. We aim to work alongside patients to prevent dental problems before they develop.
Here's a look at what you can expect during your child's first dental appointment:
- We will provide you and your child with an office tour where you'll get to meet our kid-friendly team and see our state-of-the-art facilities.
- We will review your child's medical and dental history and any current concerns.
- We may take digital x-rays, depending on your child's age and needs, to uncover problems not visible during a physical examination.
- We will check for signs of decay or any other oral health problems.
- We will evaluate your child's gums and soft tissues and may perform an oral cancer screening.
- We will assess your child's oral growth and development.
- Most children require a toothbrush cleaning during the first visit, but if your child is 3 or 4 and can tolerate it, we may conduct a gentle dental cleaning.
- We may recommend a topical fluoride treatment to strengthen the tooth enamel, lowering the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
- We will discuss oral habits like bottle use, pacifiers, thumb sucking, and teeth grinding.
- We will demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, depending on your child's age.
- We are happy to offer dietary and nutritional advice to ensure your child has the nutrients needed for a healthy smile.
- We will provide recommendations to address current problems and may recommend a cavity prevention plan, if needed, to keep your child's teeth healthy and sound.
New Patient Exams in San Marcos, California
Our pediatric dentists and the team at Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos welcome you to our San Marcos, CA, practice. We are passionate about teaching children how to care for their teeth while learning that going to the dentist can be fun. We look forward to working alongside you to establish healthy habits for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Looking for exceptional care from the best pediatric dentists in San Marcos? We invite you to call 760-798-2825 to schedule your child's appointment or complete our online appointment request form today!
We're Ready For Your Ducklings!
We are excited to care for little ones and be part of their journey to bright and healthy smiles. Follow the link to request an appointment that best fits your busy schedule. We can’t wait to meet you!
