Pediatric Dentistry in Palos Heights, IL

When your child experiences a dental emergency, every moment counts. Providing them with timely care can accelerate their healing process and, most importantly, get them out of pain. Toothaches, broken or chipped teeth, and other issues can cause your child discomfort and interfere with their school performance, sports, and other activities. Unsure if your little one is experiencing a dental emergency? Don't hesitate to give us a call right away. Our team will help you figure out the severity of their issue, guide you through at-home care, and schedule an appointment as soon as possible, so your child can get back to being a kid.

Just like cleanings and exams for adults, pediatric cleanings and exams are fairly straightforward. Your child’s dental hygienist or dentist will clean their teeth and gums, then their dentist will carefully examine their mouth and any x-rays to look for potential issues with your child’s oral health or development.

You’ll have the opportunity during this visit to speak with your child’s dentist about what to expect during the various stages of their oral development, like when their teeth will be erupting, falling out, then erupting again as adult teeth. We will discuss proper techniques for at-home oral care and hygiene for different age groups, and even talk about nutrition and diet, and how it’s related to your child’s developing oral health.

Dental sealants use a transparent liquid resin, which is applied directly to the teeth and is hardened using a UV light. This creates an impenetrable seal on your child’s tooth, which stops bacteria, acid, and food particles from causing cavities. This treatment is usually recommended specifically for cavity-prone rear teeth.

Even children need oral cancer screenings! This is an essential part of preventive care that can be performed quickly, safely, and usually without your child noticing.

During the screening, the dentist will examine your child’s mouth, gums, and oral tissues. They’ll look for discolored patches, lumps, growths, and other similar abnormalities. In the rare case that an issue is found, a biopsy may be taken and sent to a specialist for further analysis, or the dentist will refer you to a specialist directly.

Scheduling a dental visit every 6 months allows your child’s dentist to address any issues before they become larger problems.

Fluoride treatments are one of the best ways to keep dental decay at bay. A simple, non-invasive procedure, fluoride treatments help to keep your child's enamel strong. After your little one's cleaning, we’ll apply a fluoride-rich varnish or gel; we may ask you refrain from allowing your child to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes or so following their visit. Fluoride helps kickstart a process called “remineralization,” which restores essential minerals like calcium and phosphates to the teeth, keeping your kiddo's enamel hard and resistant to acids, like those that cause tooth decay.

Cavities and toothaches are never fun, especially for your child. When it comes to treating decay in baby teeth, you may be wondering if there are alternatives to dental fillings. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a non-invasive procedure that doesn't require any drills or shots and can be completed in minutes. Painting on a layer of SDF to the affected tooth not only kills the bacteria that cause decay but also remineralizes the tooth for added strength. If your little one has a cavity, fillings may not be the only option!

If your child has a cavity, it can compromise their oral health, and leave them with a lingering toothache. Dental fillings are one of the fastest, simplest, and most affordable ways to treat cavities for kids. Cavities are a big deal, even if they're only present in the baby teeth. Cavities can cause pain and discomfort and may lead to infected teeth or even tooth loss. Baby teeth are just as important as your child’s adult teeth since they help form the paths that adult teeth follow when they emerge later in life. With a dental filling, your child’s tooth will stay healthy for years to come.

If your child is suffering from a toothache, it may be a sign of an infection, but a pulpotomy may be able to relieve their discomfort in a single visit. Sometimes referred to as "baby root canals," pulpotomies can stop the infection in its tracks, restoring your little one's oral health and alleviating their pain and sensitivity, so they can get back smiling, laughing, and just being a kid.

We know that your child being happy and healthy is the most important, and when they get little bumps in the road, it can be scary! Toothaches and damaged teeth can be a huge burden for kids. If they are needing a solution to damaged or decayed teeth, pediatric dental crowns can help. Our pediatric dental crowns are designed specifically to restore tiny teeth to their former function. Your child will no longer have discomfort and will have a solution that will last for years to come.

When it comes to restoring your child's smile, tooth extractions are reserved as a last resort. We always strive to restore damaged teeth through other treatments whenever possible. But sometimes, an extraction is the best choice to get your child’s smile back on track. An extraction can eliminate your child’s discomfort, prevent further complications, and get them back to their normal, day-to-day routine. And with gentle techniques and sedation options, extractions can be quick and pain-free!

As your child grows, their baby teeth are destined to fall out to make room for their adult counterparts. But when they fall out too early, it can heighten the risk for orthodontic complications later on. We want your child to thrive, which is why we offer space maintenance, a solution that keeps your child's teeth from shifting and having misalignment issues as they erupt. If you are concerned about your child's baby teeth falling out, we can help them get a lifetime of healthy smiles.

If you are struggling with breastfeeding, you are not alone! When a child has extra tissue in their frenulum it decreases mobility. Luckily, this is an easy fix. Frenectomies can be a great solution to help you and your newborn thrive. If your doctor recommends a frenectomy, it's because they deem it necessary to improve your baby's quality of life. And while any surgical procedure can sound scary, frenectomies are a simple and painless procedure that can solve a complex problem.

We want every child to feel welcome and every parent to feel assured that their kid is in capable hands. When you come to our practice, you can rest easy knowing we have knowledge and expertise in helping children with special needs. For kids with sensory sensitivity, Autism, and a variety of other conditions, we are equipped in providing the care they need. Get in touch today to see how we can accommodate you.

Building a strong foundation for healthy oral habits will establish your child's dental routine for their entire lives. Many people suffer from gum disease and cavities, which costs time, money, and even health problems down the line. With our educational, compassionate care, we are here to give your child the guidance they need to have healthy dental hygiene that will stick with them for a lifetime.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a baby should see a dentist within six months of the eruption of their first tooth, or by age one. These early visits are essential for ensuring your child's teeth are developing properly. During these appointments, we'll also inform you of proper hygiene techniques to keep that little smile strong and healthy, along with nutritional guidance to keep cavities at bay.