Pediatric Dental Services in Lewiston
We love making new friends at Joy Family Dentistry. Wherever your child is in their dental journey, we are excited to help them take better care of their teeth and gums. We provide general dental care, cosmetic dentistry, and restorative dental services for patients of all ages at our practice in Lewiston Maine. If your little one is ready for their first dental cleaning, or they need to see a dentist due to a dental emergency, we would be happy to help.
Our Services
A Fun Welcoming Environment For Kid & Teen Dental Services
We know that the dentist is not always a kid’s favorite place to be. Which is why we go to great lengths to make sure our practice is kid-friendly. Beyond simply providing high quality dental services for your children, our team of hygienists and dentists want to make sure your children have good dental habits. We believe that the key to a strong smile starts at home. That is why we provide encouragement and dental education to kids and teens so they can improve their dental habits. And with regular checkups we are able to track those dental habits and intervene if there are any minor dental issues before they become worse.
Pediatric Dental Services in Lewiston
As family dentists, we recommend that as soon as your baby begins to teeth, you should make a dental appointment for them. Additionally we all agree that kids and teens should be seeing their dentist twice per year for regular cleanings (in fact, so should adults). At dental cleaning our hygienists will help keep your kids’ teeth clean, demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques, and check for any minor or major dental issues. Our dentist will then provide a dental exam to check for any signs of decay. Aside from these routine services we also provide:
- Preventative Dental Care Including Dental Sealants
- Cavity Repair & Fillings
- Emergency Dental Services
- Gum Disease Treatments
- Restorative Dental Procedures Including Bridges, Implants, & Veneers
- Cosmetic Dental Procedures Including Invisalign Braces
Restorative Dentistry for Kids
Cosmetic Dentistry for Kids
Emergency Dental Care For Kids
Set Up Your Child’s First Visit
Whether you have an infant that needs their first oral health exam or you recently moved to Lewiston and your child needs a new dentist, we would be happy to see them for their first time at our office. To make your child’s first appointment please click here. Already a patient? Click here to set up an appointment for an existing patient.
Children's Dentistry Frequently Asked Questions
Dental health actually begins before the first teeth has even arrived. Before your baby even has teeth, you should use a damp washcloth to clean your child’s gums after they eat or drink. Once teeth begin to appear you can use a baby toothbrush to brush the teeth.
Make sure to use a baby toothbrush and be gentle while brushing their teeth. As soon as your child’s teeth start to come in you should make their first dental appointment so a family dentist can examine their teeth and make sure there are no issues.
The average recommendation for your baby’s first dental appointment is to bring them once they either have their first tooth or hit six months. During your first dental visit we will share with you our advice on how to best take care of your baby’s teeth, as well inspect their teeth to make sure they are coming in correctly. If needed we might recommend a fluoride treatment for their teeth. During a regular exam we will look for any signs of dental decay.
The first dental visit is usually short and straightforward, but is still very important for a developing child. A dentist will check your child’s teeth for any of the warning signs that their teeth might have issues. We will also help clean your child’s teeth and answer questions you might have about oral health, teething, etc.
Your child should see the dentist twice each year. Regular appointments decrease the risk of dental issues going unnoticed. Dental problems get worse the longer they go untreated. By seeing a dentist twice per year we can catch cavities and gum disease early and help you and your child reverse dental problems before they spread. Additionally, we can help teach your children how to take care of their own teeth and help track the development of their teeth over time.
Once your baby has had multiple teeth erupt through the gum line you can start using toothpaste. Use a tiny amount of toothpaste for each cleaning. When you have an infant you will want to use a tiny smear of toothpaste. As they get older you can use a pea sized amount of toothpaste.
Dental x-rays have many values, and even more for kids. X-rays can show us signs of cavities or dental decay that we might not be able to see without them. Additionally, X-rays can help us track your child’s development of their teeth.
There are many ways to help your kids develop good dental habits. We recommend using positive reinforcement. Allowing your child to choose their toothbrush and toothpaste, giving them a calendar they can fill with stickers to mark when they brush their teeth, and giving small rewards when they continually remember to brush their teeth are all good ways to encourage your children to stay on top of their oral health habits.
Most children naturally outgrow the impulse to suck their thumb as they age. And overall thumb sucking is not going to lead to big issues with dental development. However, if you are worried that your child continues to suck their thumb, sometimes it helps to have a dentist talk with your child about their habit.
Real Clients, Real Stories
Dr. Shim is professional and thorough. I always feel confident with his assessments. And I could not be more pleased with my hygienist, Michelle. I am very pleased with Joy Dentistry.