Pediatric Dentist
Hale Family Dentistry is family-focused general dentistry with a special interest in pediatric dental care. Being a family dentistry means we want to see the entire family; grandma and grandpa are welcome, too! Children find that our office offers them a welcoming space to explore, ask questions, and feel at ease with our friendly staff, kid programs, and prize drawer. We take child dental care very seriously because it sets the foundation for the rest of their life. Our Fort Wayne based location welcomes first-time patients as early as one-year-old. The American Dental Association recommends first dental visits at age one. Stop in and learn about how we create healthy smiles for all ages and stages of life.
Hale Family Dentistry
We realize that children often have special needs when it comes to seeing the dentist. Sometimes it can be scary, or perhaps they’ve been told stories that build anxiety around going to the dentist. We are eager to educate both children and parents on the best way to approach various scenarios about their kid’s oral health journey. Creating positive experiences helps establish a good relationship between children and our dental staff.
Child’s First Dental Exam
Going to the dentist as early as age one can set a good foundation for how a child perceives the dental office environment. At Hale Family Dentistry, we have some toys in the reception area to play with and we always welcome the kids with smiling faces. At the first appointment, we establish trust. Some children let us do a complete exam and others are more curious. It can take a few appointments to get comfortable, and at Hale Family Dentistry we know that it is normal and ok for a child to get comfortable at the dentist office.
Dental Treatment for Kids
Just like adults, children have all kinds of dental treatments done: they get dental fillings, need extractions, and sometimes even need child root canals. As do most pediatric dentists, we offer nitrous (laughing gas) is given to young patients to help them relax during dental treatment. It is used to take the edge off by reducing anxiety and limiting small movements that help the dentist work faster and more efficiently. Doing quick and precise treatment is important because children have limited patience and attention spans.
List of Pediatric Dental Services
- Preventative Dentistry for Children
- Kids Tooth Extractions
- Fluoride Treatment
- Baby Root Canal
- Dental Sealants
Programs to Encourage Good Dental Care
We offer a program called Cavity-Free Club to promote healthy oral care habits. It’s for children under 18 years of age who the dentist has cleared with no cavities! We have so much fun acknowledging our little patients’ hard work, and they love it too! The Cavity-Free Club has proven to be a great motivational tool. Kids of all ages are happy to join the exclusive club, and most importantly, it helps maintain a healthy smile.
Diet and Children’s Dental Health
Sugar is a carbohydrate and it is one of the most important factors that contribute to tooth decay. When sugar is consumed, it forms a sticky film on teeth called plaque. The bacteria in plaque use the sugar to create acids that attack the tooth enamel. Over time, these acids can cause tooth decay and cavities. The good news with daily brushing and flossing, tooth decay can be prevented.
Children are prone to cavities because they eat a lot of sugar. As a parent, it’s crucial to limit sugary fruit drinks and candy throughout the day. Suckers are one of the worst treats for teeth. Some parents think that baby teeth aren’t important because they lose them eventually, but that is the wrong way to think about baby teeth. A child doesn’t lose all their baby teeth until pre-teenage years and they need those teeth to stay healthy and strong to prevent infection or emergency care for little ones.