Dentistry for Children is a leading provider of pediatric dental services to the central New Jersey community. Our pediatric dentists and highly-trained professional staff are trustworthy, passionate about what they do, and are dedicated to providing only the finest pediatric dental care possible for every child they see—regardless of need. It is our priority that our patients and their parents and caregivers enjoy their time with us. Whether it be through our fun, engaging offices, our caring and gentle approach to dental treatments, or through our dedication to educating as well as healing, we do all we can to make sure you and your child feel safe, confident, and comfortable.
We accept most major insurance carriers including NJ FamilyCare and Medicaid. We also have cash-pay programs for patients without dental insurance. You can find a full list of insurances we accept here.
The American Dental Association recommends dental checkups be scheduled by their first birthday or by the age of 1 year old.
It is recommended to schedule dental cleanings and checkups every six months.
X-rays help dentists make sure your child’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned, can help identify if there are any cavities that they are not able to clinically see. The digital images allow us to enlarge images for a better view and can be instantly manipulated to help our team make a better diagnosis, which results in better care and better treatment for your child.
Replace your child’s toothbrush every 3-4 months or when your child is sick.
Sit your child on your lap, facing away from you. Cup their chin with one hand, with their head resting against your body. Brush teeth and along the gum line. Brush gently in small circles. Clean every tooth thoroughly and brush the inside, outside and chewing surfaces of teeth.
Choose a child’s toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles. You can choose a manual or electric toothbrush.
Start flossing your child’s teeth when you notice their teeth touching. Floss your child’s teeth for them until they are old enough to do so themselves, which usually happens by age six or seven. It is recommended that parents should still help and supervise with flossing until the age of ten.
Even children’s sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask your dentist about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect their teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.
There are many different factors that can cause tooth discoloration. An abnormally colored tooth is anything other than the yellowish-white to the white color of normal teeth. The factors that contribute to tooth color include congenital conditions, genetics, infections, and environmental factors. Abnormal color and shape may be caused by a malfunction in body processes. Some of these factors can influence the way your child’s enamel is formed, while others simply stain the enamel. Teeth may be uniformly discolored or it may appear as spots or lines in enamel. In addition, discolored areas may have a different density and porosity than normal enamel. The color and hardness of enamel can also be affected by drugs or medications taken by either the child during the time of tooth development or by the mother while pregnant.
Thumb sucking is a normal habit for many children. Its peak occurrence is at about age two and it can be an important source of pleasure for an infant or toddler. This habit is usually nothing to worry about since your child will usually outgrow the habit. However, if they continue to suck their thumb past age 4, dental problems such as malocclusion may occur.
A Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) plays an important role in a dental office, preparing duties that include patient, chair and administrative work. Each is required to have state and radiology certifications, in addition to meeting the necessary guidelines to work in this field. Their responsibilities may include, preparing treatment rooms before procedures, reviewing dental records, ensuring each patient is comfortable and taking and developing x-rays. An RDA may also provide technical assistance to the pediatric dentist, such as applying anesthesia or pain medication during a cavity filling.
Pediatric dentists are specialists in treating the unique needs of children. A pediatric dentist has completed an additional two to three years of specialty training beyond dental school. He/she specifically treats the oral health needs of infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs. Pediatric dentists are skilled at using smaller equipment designed for a child’s mouth and better understand the intricacies and importance of baby teeth in a growing child. They also focus more attention on educating patients and parents about preventive care to help children avoid complications such as decay, infection, speech problems, and cosmetic issues. Furthermore, we complete a detailed risk assessment on each patient so it can provide additional support and services to the children who need it the most.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children start seeing a dentist every six months, by their first birthday or once their first tooth emerges.
Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.
It is important to remember that oral health affects more than the health of your teeth. Cavities in baby teeth cause pain and swelling that can be tremendously uncomfortable for your child. Oral infections can enter the blood stream and lead to other serious health problems. Bacteria can quickly ‘jump’ from one part of the mouth to another, thus resulting in infections and cavities in new erupting adult teeth.
There is absolutely no difference between a DMD and a DDS degree in the United States. According to the American Dental Association: “The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degree. They are awarded upon graduation from dental school to become a general dentist. The majority of dental schools award the DDS degree; however, some award a DMD degree. The education and degrees are, in substance, the same.”
It’s best to have your child avoid eating anything heavy within 30 minutes before your child’s appointment. Children shouldn’t eat for 30 minutes after fluoride treatments. Following a visit involving the use of Novocain, children should not eat anything crunchy or chewy until the numbness wears off (usually about 2 hours); however, they can eat soft, mushy foods after their visit.
The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or clean washcloth and water. Parents should use a very tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (too much fluoride can make a baby sick) to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt, along a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush.
Although fluoride use has greatly reduced the incidence of cavities in children, its success is limited in the deeper parts of the tooth. Sealants are recommended as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach. They are easily, quickly, and comfortably applied, and they may effectively protect your child’s teeth for many years.
First, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Come see us as soon as possible.
Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help establish a lifetime of healthy habits for your child.
Dentistry for Children is proud to use white, not silver, fillings on our patients. There are a variety of reasons why our dentists choose to use white fillings versus silver fillings. For instance, white fillings are mercury-free, and mercury is viewed by some as being toxic. There is also less removal of the tooth structure when using white fillings. If done correctly, the white filling is less sensitive to hot and cold, making it a better filling for children. Silver fillings tend to weaken the teeth and make them more susceptible to breaking, while white fillings bond to the natural tooth and restore most of its strength. The best thing about white fillings, and why our dental staff choose them, is that they match the natural color of the patient’s other teeth. No one can tell that a filling is even there!
A broken/chipped/fractured tooth, painful toothache, or other dental issue that causes your child pain is considered an emergency. If your child faces a dental emergency, give us a call immediately. We are here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk.
If your child is bleeding profusely, or you believe they may have a more serious medical injury, please call 9-1-1 or take your child to the nearest emergency room.