Experts in Pediatric Dentistry

Our office takes pride in understanding the special care needed by your child. Whether this is your child's first visit to a dentist, or if they have been in care for some years, we do all we can to help them (and you!) feel at ease.

When Should My Child Start Seeing a Dentist?

Per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should schedule your child's first dental appointment once the first tooth has erupted. This usually occurs by 1 year of age. As soon as a child has teeth, those teeth are subject to decay. The primary concern in very young children is "Early Childhood Caries" also known as "baby bottle tooth decay," which can be avoided with early prevention and home care.

Following the first visit, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests follow up visits twice a year for preventative cleanings. Of course, good home care between visits is essential.

The Importance of Baby Teeth

Your child's baby teeth serve several important functions for their development and health:

• Pronunciation of sounds
• Proper chewing to facilitate digestion
• Establish and preserve space for each adult tooth
• Form foundations from which the adult teeth develop

Though the baby teeth will eventually be lost, they do serve important functions for your child.

Your Child's First Visit

During the appointment, Dr. Bongiovi will review your child's medical and dental history. He will gently examine your child's head, neck, mouth and teeth. The teeth will be cleaned and polished, followed by the application of a fluoride solution. At each step, he will let your child know what to expect, using pictures and easily understandable language.

We pride ourselves on having a very friendly, inviting staff and we do all we can to help put your child at ease and make it a comfortable experience for him or her.

Despite our best efforts, this first visit to a dentist can sometimes be intimidating. We encourage you to talk to your child about what to expect before coming in, without using any language that might cause apprehension (e.g., needles or pain).

Part of a visit to our office includes motivating your child toward healthy diet and hygiene activities to get them off to a great start.

How to Care for Your Child's Teeth

Even though your child does not yet have teeth, home care should start at birth by regularly cleaning your baby's mouth with a soft infant toothbrush and water.  Once teeth begin erupting, brushing and flossing should become part of your daily routine.

An important part of caring for you child's teeth is diet. Reducing the amount of sugary snacks and drinks will greatly help prevent tooth decay, as will teaching your child to drink from a cup after his or her first birthday. Consumption of sugary drinks including juices, sodas, sports drinks and milk, from a bottle has been linked to "early childhood caries" and should be avoided.

Patient Safety

We adhere to the highest professional standards of cleanliness, sterilization, and radiation control. Our staff regularly attend safety seminars and are quite knowledgeable on the latest techniques.

Pre-medication

Patients with certain medical conditions (e.g. valvular heart conditions and artificial joints) may be asked to pre-medicate with antibiotics prior to certain treatments. We do this with your safety in mind. Please inform us if your child may have a condition that might require pre-medication.

Patient Comfort

We go to extraordinary lengths to ensure our patients are as comfortable as possible during dental procedures. In addition, to provide a relaxing environment we offer the following:

• Video games
• Movie Theater (with a selection of family films)
• TV in the Exam Room
• Play Areas

For More Information

We welcome questions from our patients, and encourage you to speak to Dr. Bongiovi or any of our staff about your child's dental care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry also offers information on many topics on their website, located here: