At Kids Dental Land, we want your child to enjoy the joy of lifelong oral health and a beautiful smile.

Your Child Can Have a Healthy Smile for Life!

General Dentistry

When you are a parent, your child’s well-being is a top priority, and this also includes their oral health. Like you, your child should visit the dentist every six months. Choosing a pediatric dentist for their care makes the experience the best it can be because we focus on your child’s unique needs as well as their comfort.

Your Child’s First Visit

According to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), your son or daughter’s first visit should happen around the age of one year, or six months after their first tooth arrives, whichever comes first.

That might seem early, but it allows us the opportunity to start building a relationship with your child. This is so important because many people who are fearful of the dentist report that their anxiety began at a young age. We want your children to feel comfortable, safe, and confident about their future dental visits.

Early visits also allow us to begin watching your son or daughter’s oral development so we can detect any potential concerns in their most initial stages.

When They Get Older

As your child grows, we will begin to include cleanings at routine visits. We do this only when they feel comfortable and ready for it. We are also careful to explain every procedure, so your little one is not surprised or uncomfortable during the procedure.

When kids get older, we may recommend dental sealants and fluoride treatments to protect their oral health.

Fluoride helps to strengthen small teeth that are still developing. Because it’s a mineral, it can also assist in rebuilding teeth that have been compromised by tooth decay. Fluoride treatments are easily incorporated into your child’s cleanings and don’t require any extra appointment time.

Dental sealants are a thin layer of protective coating that covers the biting surfaces of your son or daughter’s back teeth. Sealants are a noninvasive treatment that can typically be completed during one short appointment. We notice less tooth decay and cavities in our patients with sealants as opposed to those without them.

Protecting Their Oral Health

Besides dental sealants and fluoride treatments, your pediatric dentist will also have recommendations for the right protective mouth guard for your child if they should decide to participate in sports.

Did you know that nearly 40 percent of dental emergencies are sports related? Choosing a custom mouth guard for your son or daughter will give them the protection they need to excel in their chosen sport and protect their teeth and mouth from injury.

Contact our pediatric dental office today if you have questions about your child’s oral health, or if it’s time to schedule their next appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

My child has a toothache. What can I do?

If your son or daughter is experiencing a toothache or any other dental emergency, we encourage you to contact your pediatric dentist first. It is best for your pediatric dentist to handle most dental emergencies since hospitals and emergency rooms are not equipped to repair or restore teeth.

If your child has a toothache, it may indicate an infection in their tooth. It is crucial for your pediatric dentist to evaluate them as soon as possible since infections won't resolve without treatment.

For a broken tooth, contact your pediatric dentist as they may be able to bond the tooth back together. Even if that is a temporary fix, it will keep your child comfortable until their tooth can be restored.

If your child's tooth has been knocked out, it is essential to see your pediatric dentist immediately. If it's a primary (baby) tooth, they will determine if treatment is needed. If it's a permanent adult tooth, there is only a short window that your pediatric dentist has to save the tooth, so time is of the essence. Placing the tooth back in its socket is best to transport it if possible, or use milk to keep it moist and carry it safely to your dentist.

Even if you're unsure that your child is experiencing an actual emergency, contact your pediatric dentist for further instruction.

My child is scared to visit the dentist. What can I do?

Many people feel fearful about visiting the dentist, and your child is not alone. Many adults who suffer from dental anxiety report that it's from a bad experience they had at the dentist as a child.

There are a few things you can do to help prepare your child for their dental visits:

Talk about the dentist in a positive way. Even if you have dental anxiety, be careful not to project your fear onto your child.
Read stories or color pictures about the dentist, and even role-play visiting the dentist with their stuffed animals or toys.
Consider bringing your son or daughter with you to the dentist when you have your next appointment. This allows them to see what it's like at the dental office.

You can also speak with your pediatric dentist about solutions they offer for relieving dental anxiety at their practice. There are options for sedation dentistry such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that can help your child feel at ease during most types of procedures.

Be sure to discuss your concerns with your pediatric dentist before your child arrives for their appointment so you can have an effective plan in place to create a positive experience.

How can I help my child prevent cavities?

As a children's dentist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you are making each day affect your son or daughter's oral health such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach are between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.

Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Tim Kang DDS
Dentist

Dr. Tim graduated from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California. From a young age, Dr. Tim had always dreamed of becoming a dentist to serve the local communities and bring smiles to the patients he treats, contributing to a cavity-free neighborhood!

Dr. Tim found his passion for pediatric patients while working at the LA General Medical Center, where he witnessed the need to provide comprehensive care to children by assessing the child's overall health and needs, not just their teeth. Dr. Tim enjoys teaching and educating ...