Pediatric Dentistry

Building Healthy Smiles From the Start

A child's dental health sets the foundation for their oral health throughout life. Teaching children to value their teeth and establishing positive experiences with dental care helps them maintain healthy smiles into adulthood. At Lincoln Smiles Dental, Dr. Sepideh Rahmani specializes in pediatric dental care and is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment where children feel safe and at ease. We provide comprehensive preventive care, treat dental problems, and help parents understand how to care for their children's developing teeth. With Mocha, our gentle therapy dog, by their side, children experience dental visits that are positive and even fun.

When Should Your Child's First Dental Visit Be?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first dental visit should occur around age one or within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, whichever comes first. This early visit allows Dr. Rahmani to assess your child's oral development, check for any problems, and provide guidance on caring for primary (baby) teeth. Early visits also help children become familiar with our office and team, reducing anxiety about future dental care.

At the first visit, we focus on building a positive relationship with your child. Dr. Rahmani uses simple language to explain what she's doing. She shows your child the instruments and lets them touch them so nothing feels scary or unknown. She counts your child's teeth and checks for any problems. She provides guidance on brushing, flossing, and diet. She helps you understand how to care for your child's developing teeth.

Starting dental care early establishes a pattern of regular preventive care. Children who visit the dentist regularly are more likely to maintain good oral health throughout their lives. Regular visits also allow us to catch problems early, when they're easiest to treat. We recommend that children visit us every six months for professional cleanings and exams, just like adults.

Preventive Care for Children

Preventive care is at the heart of pediatric dentistry. Our approach focuses on preventing problems rather than treating them after they develop. At each visit, we perform a thorough examination of your child's teeth and gums. We take X-rays only when necessary to check for decay between teeth or monitor development. We perform a gentle cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup. We assess your child's brushing and flossing techniques and provide guidance for improvement.

We discuss diet and its impact on your child's teeth. Sugary foods and beverages are a major cause of childhood cavities. We help parents understand how to limit these foods and make better choices. We discuss the impact of sippy cups, particularly when filled with juice or milk, and recommend weaning children away from them by age three. We address thumb sucking and pacifier use, which can affect the development of a child's bite if they persist beyond age four or five.

We also perform oral cancer screening at every appointment, even for children. While oral cancer is rare in children, early detection is important if it does occur. We assess your child's jaw and bite development to identify potential issues early. We discuss the importance of a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D for strong teeth and bones.

Dental Sealants for Children

Dental sealants are one of the most effective preventive tools we have for children. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars and premolars), where most cavities develop. The chewing surfaces of these teeth have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria become trapped. Even with excellent brushing, it's difficult to clean these areas thoroughly.

A sealant fills these grooves and pits, creating a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. By sealing off these areas from food and bacteria, sealants reduce cavity risk by up to eighty-five percent. Sealants are most beneficial when applied to permanent molars as soon as they erupt, typically around age six and again around age twelve. Sealants are painless and take just a few minutes to apply. The tooth surface is cleaned and dried, then the sealant material is painted on and hardened with a special light.

Sealants typically last several years. We check sealants at each appointment and can reapply them if they wear away. Sealants are an inexpensive, highly effective way to prevent cavities in children. We strongly recommend sealants for all children, particularly those at higher risk for cavities.

Fluoride Treatment for Strong Teeth

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent decay. Most children receive fluoride through community water supplies and fluoridated toothpaste. However, some children benefit from additional professional fluoride treatment. Fluoride treatment is particularly beneficial for children at high risk for cavities, those with existing decay, or those whose water supply is not fluoridated.

Professional fluoride treatment applies a concentrated fluoride solution to the teeth. It's available in several forms including foam, gel, or varnish. The treatment takes just a few minutes. Your child may feel a slight taste of the fluoride, but it's harmless. After treatment, we ask children to avoid eating or drinking for thirty minutes to allow maximum fluoride absorption.

We assess each child's cavity risk and recommend fluoride treatment when appropriate. We also discuss the importance of fluoridated toothpaste and drinking fluoridated water. We help parents understand how much fluoride children should receive and ensure fluoride use is appropriate for your child's age.

Treating Childhood Cavities

Despite best efforts at prevention, some children develop cavities. Baby teeth are more prone to decay because their enamel is thinner than adult enamel. The good news is that cavities in baby teeth are easily treated and the tooth will eventually fall out and be replaced by a permanent tooth. Even though baby teeth are temporary, it's important to treat cavities promptly to prevent infection, pain, and complications with the permanent tooth developing underneath.

When your child has a cavity, Dr. Rahmani will explain what's happening in terms your child can understand. She'll describe the procedure in a non-threatening way. She'll show your child the tools. She'll allow your child to hear the instruments before they're used. She'll tell your child what to expect and may use signals your child can give if they need a break. Many children find that understanding what's going to happen makes them less anxious.

We use gentle techniques and modern instruments to make treatment as comfortable as possible. For cavities on front teeth, we often use tooth-colored composite fillings that blend with the tooth. For cavities on back teeth, we may use silver amalgam fillings, which are very durable and can handle the heavy chewing forces on back teeth. All filling materials are safe for children.

If a cavity is very deep and the decay has gotten close to the nerve, your child may need a pulpotomy (partial root canal) rather than a simple filling. This involves removing the portion of the nerve that's closest to the cavity but preserving the rest of the nerve. A pulpotomy saves the baby tooth and allows it to be shed normally when the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If a baby tooth is too badly damaged to save, extraction may be necessary.

Bite Development and Orthodontics

We monitor your child's bite and jaw development at every appointment. The way your child's teeth are positioned and how their upper and lower jaws relate to each other affects their current and future oral health. Issues like crowding, open bite, overbite, or underbite can lead to problems with chewing, speaking, and cleaning your teeth. They can affect your appearance and self-confidence.

Early intervention can sometimes prevent or minimize the need for orthodontic treatment. If Dr. Rahmani identifies a developing problem with your child's bite, she'll discuss it with you. She may recommend a palatal expander or other early treatment to guide jaw growth in the right direction. Early treatment when the jaw is still growing is often more effective and requires less treatment time than waiting for all permanent teeth to erupt.

If your child does need braces or other orthodontic treatment, we can discuss that with you. Some children benefit from early orthodontic intervention around age seven to nine, while others do better waiting until the permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw has stopped growing. We'll help guide you through these decisions.

Teaching Good Oral Hygiene Habits

An important part of pediatric dentistry is helping children develop good oral hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. Starting early, children as young as one or two can begin learning to brush their teeth with a soft toothbrush and a tiny amount of toothpaste. Around age three, children can start learning to floss with help. By school age, children should be brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily, though parents should supervise and help until about age eight.

We make oral hygiene fun and age-appropriate. We explain why brushing and flossing are important in terms children understand. We demonstrate proper technique. We praise good efforts. We make it a positive, supportive experience rather than a chore or punishment. We help children understand the connection between their actions and their dental health.

We also discuss diet with children in an age-appropriate way. We explain which foods are good for their teeth and which ones cause cavities. We help children make good choices. We discuss the importance of drinking water rather than sugary drinks. We explain the difference between healthy snacks and cavity-causing snacks. By involving children in these conversations, we help them develop ownership of their dental health.

Creating a Child-Friendly Environment

Our office is designed with children in mind. We have a bright, welcoming environment with colors and decorations that appeal to children. Our waiting area is comfortable and has books and games to help children feel at ease. When your child comes back for treatment, Dr. Rahmani takes time to build rapport. She explains procedures in simple, non-threatening language. She uses child-friendly names for instruments. She shows your child what tools she's going to use before using them.

Most importantly, Mocha, our gentle therapy dog, is available to help anxious children feel safe and comfortable. Simply petting Mocha and having her present during dental treatment significantly reduces anxiety for many children. Mocha is calm, friendly, and loves children. Many children look forward to visiting the dentist because they get to spend time with Mocha.

We work at your child's pace. If your child needs a break, we give one. We praise bravery and positive behavior. We celebrate successes. Our goal is for every child to leave our office feeling proud of themselves and looking forward to their next visit.

Parent Education and Partnership

Parents play a crucial role in their child's dental health. We believe in partnering with parents to ensure children receive the best possible care both in our office and at home. At each appointment, we discuss what we've found, what we've done, and what parents can do to support their child's oral health.

We provide guidance on brushing and flossing techniques. We discuss diet and its impact on teeth. We explain developmental milestones and what to expect as your child's teeth develop. We discuss preventing habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use if they're continuing past age four or five. We answer your questions and address your concerns.

We view the dentist, parents, and the child as a team working together toward the goal of healthy teeth and good oral health habits. When we all work together, children develop the knowledge, habits, and attitudes that keep their smiles healthy for life.

Why Choose Lincoln Smiles Dental for Your Child's Dental Care

Dr. Sepideh Rahmani is passionate about pediatric dentistry and genuinely loves working with children. She understands childhood development and how to communicate with children at different ages. She has the skill and patience to treat even the most anxious or uncooperative children. She approaches each child as an individual with unique needs and concerns.

Our office provides a welcoming, child-friendly environment where children feel safe and comfortable. We believe in preventive care that helps children maintain healthy smiles. We partner with parents to ensure consistent care at home and in our office. We measure our success by the healthy smiles we create and the positive attitudes toward dental care we instill in our young patients. If you're looking for a pediatric dentist who truly cares about your child's oral health and creates positive dental experiences, we'd love to meet you and your family.