Pediatric Dentistry in South Tacoma: Gentle Care for Growing Smiles
Pediatric Dentistry Benefits:
- Early prevention: Catch problems before they become serious
- Positive experiences: Build comfort with dental care
- Healthy habits: Teach proper brushing and flossing
- Monitor development: Track tooth eruption and jaw growth
- Prevent cavities: Fluoride treatments and sealants
- Serving: South Tacoma, Graham, Roy, Spanaway, Frederickson, Eatonville, and JBLM families
When to Start Dental Visits
First Dental Visit
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth erupting. Early visits establish a "dental home" where your child receives consistent, comprehensive care.
These initial visits are gentle introductions to dentistry. We examine emerging teeth, assess oral development, discuss proper cleaning techniques, address teething concerns, and review diet's impact on dental health. Starting early prevents problems and builds familiarity with the dental office.
Regular Checkups
Children should visit the dentist every six months for cleanings and exams. Regular appointments allow us to monitor tooth development, detect cavities early when treatment is simpler, track jaw growth and bite development, and reinforce good oral hygiene habits.
Consistent dental care during childhood prevents extensive problems later. Children who visit the dentist regularly have fewer cavities and better oral health throughout life.
Pediatric Dental Services
Dental Cleanings for Kids
Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar that brushing and flossing miss. Our gentle hygienists make cleanings fun and comfortable, explaining each step in age-appropriate language. We use flavored polishing paste and let kids choose their favorite flavor.
Regular cleanings prevent cavities, keep gums healthy, and allow us to demonstrate proper home care techniques. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, children who receive regular professional cleanings have significantly better oral health outcomes.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria. We apply concentrated fluoride gel or varnish after cleanings, providing extra protection against cavities. Fluoride treatments are quick, painless, and highly effective at preventing decay.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are thin protective coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars), sealing the deep grooves where cavities commonly develop. Sealants prevent up to 80% of cavities in treated teeth and last several years with normal chewing.
We typically recommend sealants when permanent molars erupt (around ages 6 and 12). The application is quick, painless, and provides years of cavity protection.
Cavity Treatment
Despite best efforts, children sometimes develop cavities. We treat them promptly with tooth-colored composite fillings that blend naturally with teeth. Modern techniques and gentle anesthesia ensure comfortable treatment.
Early cavity treatment prevents pain, infection, and damage to developing permanent teeth. Primary (baby) teeth are important placeholders—losing them prematurely can cause alignment problems requiring orthodontic treatment later.
Tooth Extractions
Sometimes primary teeth need extraction due to severe decay, injury, or to create space for orthodontic treatment. We perform gentle extractions ensuring your child's comfort throughout the procedure.
Emergency Dental Care
Dental emergencies happen—knocked-out teeth, broken teeth, or severe toothaches. We provide prompt emergency care for children, relieving pain and addressing injuries quickly. If your child has a dental emergency, call immediately.
Age-Specific Dental Care
Infants and Toddlers (0-3 Years)
Even before teeth erupt, clean your baby's gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings. Once teeth appear, brush twice daily with a smear of fluoride toothpaste (rice grain size). We monitor tooth eruption, check for early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay), and discuss feeding practices affecting dental health.
Preschoolers (3-6 Years)
At this age, children develop improved motor skills allowing more independent brushing (though supervision remains essential). Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. We focus on cavity prevention through sealants and fluoride, teaching proper brushing technique, and preparing children for permanent tooth eruption.
School-Age Children (6-12 Years)
Primary teeth fall out and permanent teeth erupt during these years. We monitor this transition ensuring proper alignment and addressing spacing issues early. This is the ideal age for sealants on permanent molars. We emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene as children become more responsible for their own care.
Teenagers (13-18 Years)
Teens face unique dental challenges including wisdom teeth development, orthodontic treatment, and sports-related injuries. We provide wisdom teeth monitoring and extraction when necessary, mouthguard fabrication for sports protection, and cavity prevention education addressing dietary choices and hygiene habits.
Teaching Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing Technique
We teach children proper brushing using age-appropriate demonstrations. Young children should brush with parental help until age 7-8. Use a soft-bristled, child-sized toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Brush all tooth surfaces—front, back, and chewing surfaces—for two minutes twice daily.
Make brushing fun with timers, songs, or apps that engage children in the process.
Flossing
Once teeth touch each other, flossing becomes necessary (typically age 2-3). Parents should floss children's teeth until they develop the dexterity to do it themselves (usually age 10-12). We demonstrate proper technique and recommend tools like floss picks that kids find easier to use.
Diet and Dental Health
What children eat dramatically affects dental health. We educate families about limiting sugary snacks and drinks, choosing water over juice and soda, eating calcium-rich foods for strong teeth, and avoiding sticky candies that cling to teeth.
Healthy eating habits established in childhood benefit both dental and overall health throughout life.
Making Dental Visits Positive
Child-Friendly Environment
Our office welcomes children with a warm, friendly atmosphere. We use gentle, age-appropriate language explaining procedures. Staff members are experienced working with children of all ages and temperaments.
Reducing Anxiety
Dental anxiety often develops from negative early experiences. We prevent this by making appointments fun and stress-free, explaining each step before proceeding, celebrating cooperation and bravery, and never using dental visits as threats or punishments.
Parents can help by maintaining positive attitudes, avoiding anxious language about dentistry, and reading books about dental visits before appointments.
Behavior Guidance
We use positive reinforcement encouraging cooperation. For anxious or very young children, we employ "tell-show-do" technique—explaining the procedure, demonstrating with instruments, then performing the treatment. This builds trust and reduces fear.
Common Pediatric Dental Issues
Tooth Decay
Cavities are the most common childhood disease. They develop when bacteria produce acids from sugars, dissolving tooth enamel. Prevention includes proper brushing and flossing, limiting sugar intake, regular dental checkups with fluoride treatments, and dental sealants.
Early detection allows simple filling treatment. Untreated cavities cause pain, infection, and damage to permanent teeth developing underneath.
Thumb Sucking and Pacifier Use
Prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond age 3-4 can affect tooth alignment and jaw development. We monitor these habits and provide guidance on gentle cessation strategies when needed.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Many children grind teeth during sleep. While often outgrown, severe grinding can wear down teeth. We assess grinding during exams and recommend protective nightguards when necessary.
Early Tooth Loss
Losing baby teeth too early (from decay or injury) can cause spacing problems. We may recommend space maintainers preventing adjacent teeth from drifting into the gap.
Eruption Problems
Sometimes permanent teeth don't erupt properly or arrive out of sequence. We monitor tooth eruption patterns, referring to orthodontists when intervention is needed.
Related Services
Family Dentistry - Comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages under one roof.
Dental Cleanings & Exams - Professional cleanings and preventive care essential for children's oral health.
Dental Fillings - Tooth-colored fillings treating cavities in children's teeth.
Tooth Extractions - Gentle tooth removal when necessary for children.
Dental Crowns - Crowns protecting severely decayed or damaged children's teeth.
Start Your Child's Healthy Smile Journey
Give your child the gift of excellent oral health with comprehensive pediatric dentistry at Davis Dental Group in South Tacoma. Our caring team makes dental visits positive experiences, building healthy habits for life. Schedule your child's appointment today.
Serving South Tacoma, Graham, Roy, Spanaway, Frederickson, Eatonville, and JBLM military families with gentle pediatric dental care.
Schedule Your Child's First Visit
Call for Pediatric Dentistry
Most major PPO insurance accepted. Gentle, comprehensive care for children of all ages.
Why Choose Davis Dental Group
- Advanced 3D Scanning Technology: Precise imaging for accurate implant planning and placement. Better planning means better results.
- Walk-Ins Welcome: Stop by our Tacoma office anytime for consultations—no appointment needed.
- Same-Day Consultations: We offer same-day appointments when available, so you don't have to wait.
- Free Consultations: Get expert guidance with no obligation. We'll evaluate your situation and discuss your options.
- Comprehensive Care in One Location: From consultation to implant placement to final restoration, everything happens right here. No referrals to multiple specialists.
- Experienced Team: Our dental professionals have extensive experience in implant dentistry and prioritize your comfort throughout treatment.