Pediatric Dentistry

DeNike Dental provides services for Pediatric Dentistry in Emerson, NJ. Call 201-599-0001 to learn more and schedule your appointment. 

As a family dental practice, we see both children and adults. Our pediatric dental services address some of the specific needs we encounter with children and help lay the foundation for a lifetime of good dental health.

Your children should begin visiting our office every six months starting around their first birthday. During an oral evaluation, we will check for cavities and other dental problems. When needed, we will also take imaging to identify areas of decay, extra teeth, bone defects, and other soft and hard tissue abnormalities.

When plaque hardens into tartar, the only way to remove it is with a professional dental cleaning, so it’s important for your child to have their teeth cleaned and polished regularly.

Some children are more prone to cavities than others because they have small crevices in the surfaces of their teeth. Dental sealants fill in these crevices with a safe resin material, keeping cavity-causing plaque and bacteria out. Getting dental sealants is a fast, painless procedure, as the sealants are painted onto the chewing surfaces of the teeth and left to harden.

Fluoride is important in pediatric dentistry because it prevents decay by strengthening tooth structures and enamel. Fluoride treatment comes in a gel, foam, or varnish form.

Custom-made mouth guards from our office are preferable to one-size-fits-all or boil-and-bite products available from the store. If your child has braces or participates in contact sports, having a mouth guard is important for protecting their teeth from damage.

How long do sealants last on your teeth?

Dental sealants can last up to 10 years, but they can often chip or wear away in places before that. When this occurs, they can be touched up so they continue to offer protection from decay.

When should a child get their teeth cleaned?

Although your child should first see the dentist around their first birthday, usually the initial few appointments don’t involve teeth cleaning and are mostly centered around instruction and getting to know your child. Once your child has reached their toddler years, we will start performing gentle cleanings.

Are boil-and-bite mouth guards good?

Many people are under the impression that a boil-and-bite mouthguard is the same as a custom mouthguard available from a dentist. It’s not; a custom mouthguard is far superior. Boil-and-bite is better than nothing, but it won’t provide the same level of protection as a custom-fitted mouthguard.

Do you need to fill cavities in baby teeth?

Yes, cavities in baby teeth need to be filled. First, cavities that are left untreated can spread to other teeth, cause gum problems, and even affect the adult teeth. Second, when a tooth is left to decay, it can cause your child a great deal of pain and impact their ability to eat. Dental fillings are a simple procedure—there’s no reason not to get them.

Call 201-599-0001 to schedule your appointment.