The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental appointment by the age of one.
Pediatric dentists undergo 2-3 additional years of specialized training beyond dental school. This advanced training focuses on oral health, restorative and orthodontic treatments, as well as behavior management specifically tailored for infants, children, adolescents, and those with disabilities.
Click Here to read why you should choose us.
Click Here to read what you can expect on your first visit.
At Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, we use low-dose radiography as needed to detect cavities and potential issues early on, ensuring the most comfortable and minimally invasive treatment options for your child. We personalize our approach based on your child’s unique cavity risk, guiding us in determining suitable intervals for subsequent visits. This ensures that your child’s ongoing dental care is just as friendly as their smiles.
Parents are always welcome to accompany their child during treatment, fostering a positive experience that will resonate into adulthood.
It is important to assist your young child with brushing their teeth for two minutes, twice a day, with a focus on bedtime brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, specifically designed for young children. This routine aids in eliminating plaque, preventing decay, and reducing the risk of gum disease.
If your child’s teeth are in contact, it’s crucial to incorporate nightly flossing between their teeth using dental floss. This practice helps prevent food impaction, reducing the risk of gum and tooth pain. Regular flossing can also lower the likelihood of your child developing cavities in between their teeth.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends introducing toothpaste as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. If your child is aged 3 or under, apply a rice grain-sized amount of toothpaste. After turning 3, you can allow them to use a pea-sized amount under your supervision. Our expert team will discuss a suitable toothpaste for your child’s dental needs during their appointments.
Prolonged use of pacifiers or thumb-sucking habits can impact your child’s oral development. Frequent and extended oral habits can lead to misalignment of teeth, changes in the roof of the mouth, and potential jaw issues. Gradually weaning your child from these habits as they grow is advisable to minimize the risk of dental concerns and foster a healthy oral foundation. Regular dental check-ups can further assess your child’s oral health and address any emerging issues.
Click Here to read about what insurance we are in-network with along with our membership plans for the uninsured.
Click Here for questionnaire that helps you identify tongue-tie or lip-tie issues.
Dr. Sheyda is experienced in managing dental anxiety in children. She uses a variety of techniques, such as explaining procedures in a child-friendly way, offering distractions, and creating a calming environment to help ease anxiety.
Common signs include tooth sensitivity to hot or cold, visible holes or dark spots on the tooth, and tooth pain or discomfort. Regular dental check-ups are essential for early detection of cavities that might not yet show symptoms.
If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to decay or injury, a space maintainer can prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting into the empty space and ensure proper alignment of the incoming permanent teeth.
At Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, nitrous inhalation is typically offered as an optional comfort service to help children feel relaxed and at ease during dental treatment. The fee is separate from the dental procedure itself and is reviewed with parents in advance so there are no surprises.
Some dental insurance plans may cover nitrous inhalation, while others consider it an out-of-pocket expense. Our team is always happy to review your benefits and provide a clear estimate before your child’s visit. recommended.
The cost of a pediatric dental cleaning can vary depending on your child’s age, needs, and whether X-rays or additional preventive services are recommended.
Most children should visit the dentist every six months for a routine dental checkup and cleaning. These regular visits help prevent cavities, monitor tooth and jaw development, and catch small concerns early before they become bigger problems.
Some children may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health, cavity risk, or specific dental needs. During your child’s visit, we will recommend a personalized schedule that best supports their long-term oral health.
Regular dental checkups also help children become comfortable with dental visits, building positive habits and confidence that can last a lifetime.
Yes. We proudly care for children with special needs and are committed to providing a safe, compassionate, and supportive dental experience for every child.
At Lansdowne Pediatric Dentistry, we take the time to understand each child’s unique needs, sensitivities, and communication style. Our team is experienced in working with children who may have developmental, sensory, medical, or behavioral considerations, and we tailor each visit to help your child feel comfortable and respected.
We encourage parents to share any concerns or accommodations that may help their child have the best possible experience. Our goal is to build trust, reduce anxiety, and create positive dental visits at a pace that works for your child and your family.
Yes. Nitrous inhalation, commonly known as laughing gas, is a safe and well-established option used in pediatric dentistry to help children feel calm and relaxed during dental treatment.
Nitrous is a mild sedative mixed with oxygen and delivered through a small mask placed over the nose. It works quickly, helps reduce anxiety, and allows children to remain awake and responsive throughout the appointment. One of the biggest benefits is that the effects wear off rapidly once the mask is removed, so children can return to normal activities shortly after their visit.
Nitrous inhalation has been used safely in children for many years. Before offering it, we carefully review your child’s medical history and monitor them closely throughout the appointment to ensure their comfort and safety.
Airway-focused pediatric dentistry looks at more than just teeth. It focuses on how a child’s airway, breathing, jaw development, and oral habits affect their overall health, sleep, and growth.
An airway-focused pediatric dentist evaluates factors such as mouth breathing, snoring, tongue position, jaw development, and oral restrictions like tongue-tie or lip-tie. These issues can impact sleep quality, behavior, speech, facial growth, and even attention and learning.
By identifying concerns early, airway-focused pediatric dentistry aims to support proper growth and development while helping reduce the risk of sleep-disordered breathing and other related problems. Treatment may include monitoring growth, preventive guidance, habit counseling, referrals to other specialists, or early interventions when appropriate.
The goal is to support healthy breathing, proper development, and long-term wellness not just a healthy smile.
Baby teeth are very important for your child’s overall health and development. They help children chew properly, speak clearly, and hold space for permanent teeth to come in correctly.
If a baby tooth has a cavity or infection and is not treated, it can worsen quickly and cause pain, swelling, or infection. Dental infections can also affect the developing adult teeth underneath and may lead to more complex treatment later.
Treating baby teeth helps keep your child comfortable, prevents infection from spreading, and supports healthy growth of the jaw and permanent teeth. It also helps children build positive dental experiences early, which can reduce dental anxiety and encourage lifelong healthy habits.
Healthy baby teeth lay the foundation for a healthy smile and overall well-being.
In some cases, general anesthesia may be recommended to help a child receive dental treatment safely and comfortably. This is typically considered for very young children, children with extensive dental needs, those with special healthcare needs, or children who are unable to tolerate treatment while awake despite other comfort options.
If general anesthesia is recommended, we will take the time to explain why it is being suggested, what the process involves, and answer all of your questions. Your child’s safety is always our top priority. Treatment under general anesthesia is performed with a licensed anesthesia provider and follows strict safety guidelines, including a thorough review of your child’s medical history.
General anesthesia allows all necessary dental treatment to be completed in one visit while your child is fully asleep, pain-free, and unaware of the procedure. This can reduce stress for both the child and parents and help avoid multiple difficult visits.
We understand that the idea of general anesthesia can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to guide you through every step, ensure you feel informed and comfortable, and support your family throughout the entire process.
You should start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, which is usually around 6 months of age. Even though baby teeth are small, they are still vulnerable to cavities and need daily care.
Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). Gently brush twice a day, especially before bedtime. As more teeth come in, continue brushing all tooth surfaces and along the gumline.
Starting good oral hygiene habits early helps protect your baby’s teeth, supports healthy development, and makes brushing a normal part of their daily routine as they grow.
