Children’s Dentist in Laguna Hills

Children are seen at Pearl32 Dentistry and Wellness from their first tooth onward, often in the same afternoon as their parents. Our three general dentists handle checkups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and small fillings. For children who need more, a pediatric dentist visits our Laguna Hills office, so you are not sent across town.

The first visit: by the first birthday

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child’s first dental visit by age one, or within six months of the first tooth. That surprises many parents. The point is not treatment. It is catching early problems and setting up habits while they are easy to set.

The first visit is short, usually about thirty minutes, and your child often sits on your lap. We count the teeth, look at how the mouth is growing, check for early signs of decay, and talk with you about:

• Bottles and sippy cups, especially at night
• How much toothpaste to use (a smear the size of a grain of rice under age three)
• Teething, thumb sucking and pacifiers
• Snacks and drinks that are hard on young teeth
• What to do if a tooth gets knocked

What happens at checkups as children grow

Ages 1 to 5

Checkups about every six months. We clean and polish, paint on fluoride varnish, and watch for decay between the back teeth, which is where it starts in many young children. X-rays begin only when the back teeth touch and decay could hide between them, often around four to six.

Ages 6 to 12

The first permanent molars arrive around six, the second around twelve. These are the teeth most likely to get cavities in their deep grooves, so this is when sealants make the biggest difference. We also watch how the adult teeth are coming in and whether there will be room for them.

Teenagers

We keep an eye on crowding, wisdom teeth, sports injuries, sugary and acidic drinks, and grinding. Some teens are good candidates for clear aligners. Others do better with braces, and we say so and refer. We talk to teenagers directly, not over their heads, because they are the ones holding the toothbrush.

Sealants and fluoride

Both are quick, need no numbing and are backed by strong evidence.

Sealants are a thin coating flowed into the grooves of the back teeth, where a toothbrush bristle cannot reach. According to the CDC, sealants on permanent molars prevent about 80% of cavities for two years and keep protecting against about 50% of cavities for up to four years. No drilling and no numbing.

Fluoride varnish is painted on in under a minute and strengthens the outer layer of the tooth. Children at higher risk benefit from it two to four times a year. More on our fluoride treatment page.

Neither replaces brushing twice a day and cleaning between the teeth, but together they make a real difference.

Why baby teeth matter

It is tempting to think baby teeth do not count because they fall out. They do. The back baby teeth stay until about age ten to twelve. They hold space for the adult teeth, help a child chew and speak, and a cavity in one can become an infection that hurts and can affect the adult tooth growing underneath. Whether a cavity in a baby tooth is filled or watched depends on how deep it is and how soon the tooth will be lost. We explain that choice to you.

Nervous children

We go slowly. A first visit might be nothing more than a ride in the chair, a count of the teeth and a polish. We name each tool and show it before it is used. Nothing is forced or sprung on a child, and you are welcome in the room.

For a nervous child who needs treatment, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is available. For children who need more than we can provide calmly, a pediatric dentist visits our office and sees them here. See sedation dentistry.

Sports and mouth guards

Any sport with contact or a ball can chip or knock out a front tooth. A custom mouth guard fits better and stays in place better than a store bought one, so kids actually wear it. A chipped adult front tooth is a repair that needs looking after for life, so a guard is worth it.

Dental emergencies in children

• Knocked out baby tooth: do not put it back in, because that can damage the adult tooth underneath. Call us.
• Knocked out adult tooth: hold it by the crown, not the root. If it is clean, try to put it back in the socket. If not, keep it in milk and call us right away. Time matters.
• Chipped tooth: keep any pieces and call us.
• Toothache or swelling: call us. Swelling of the face with fever needs to be seen the same day.

We hold same-day emergency slots Monday to Friday. After hours, calls to (949) 830-0074 go to our answering service. More on our emergency dentist page.

Insurance and cost for children

Many dental plans cover children’s checkups, cleanings, fluoride and sealants at a high rate, often with little or nothing to pay. We accept Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, Humana, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare and other major PPO plans, and the Delta Dental, Guardian and MetLife HMO plans (full list). Every treatment is quoted in writing before it starts. If you have no insurance, our membership plan covers preventive visits for a set yearly fee.

Booking the whole family? We try to schedule back to back appointments. Our family dentistry page covers care for every age in one office.

Questions people ask

When should my child first see a dentist?

By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. The first visit is short and mostly about habits, growth and spotting early decay. It also gets your child used to the chair before anything needs doing.

Do you have a pediatric dentist?

Our three general dentists see children for checkups, cleanings, fluoride, sealants and simple fillings. A pediatric dentist also visits our Laguna Hills office for children who need more specialized care, so they are seen here rather than sent elsewhere.

How often should children have checkups?

Usually every six months. Children with new cavities or higher risk may benefit from more frequent visits and fluoride varnish two to four times a year. We tell you your child’s own risk level.

Are dental sealants worth it?

Yes. The CDC reports that sealants on permanent molars prevent about 80% of cavities for two years and keep protecting against about 50% for up to four years. They are painted on with no drilling or numbing.

Can I stay with my child during the visit?

Yes. Young children often sit on a parent’s lap for the first look, and you are welcome in the room for every visit.

What do I do if my child knocks out a tooth?

For a baby tooth, do not put it back in, and call us. For an adult tooth, hold it by the crown, put it back in the socket if it is clean or keep it in milk, and call us right away at (949) 830-0074.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Care policy; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dental Sealants. This page is general information, not a diagnosis.