Pediatric Dentistry in Lancaster & Ephrata

Compassionate Dental Care For Lancaster’s Youth

We love little Lancaster – area smiles so much, we’ve dedicated a team to provide dental care oriented toward your child’s age and specific oral health needs. We are dedicated to providing excellent dental health care for infants, children, teens, adolescents, and those with special needs in a caring, fun, and gentle environment. Our mission is to give them a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles, and positive dental experience. We have the most advanced equipment and child-friendly staff trained in pediatric dentistry.

smilebuilderz Pediatric Procedures

Kid-friendly dental examinations and digital x-rays
Super-gentle teeth cleanings
Dental sealants and fluoride to protect teeth from decay
Metal-free fillings

Cosmetic dental bonding
Interceptive orthodontics
Stainless steel crowns (SSC)
Complete home care instruction

Don’t your tots deserve to smile their best smiles? smilebuilderz thinks so! Discover how by calling us today!

When Should I Bring My Child for a First Visit?

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is essential that your child’s newly erupted teeth (which appear between six and 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.
Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. Permanent teeth begin erupting at age six, and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth (32, including wisdom teeth).

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What Makes Pediatric Dentistry Different?

Pediatric dentists are true specialists with two extra years of rigorous training after dental school. This advanced training makes pediatric dentists especially qualified to deal with the very specific needs children and special needs patients might have including infant oral care, pediatric restorative dentistry, preventative care, behavior management, pediatric sedation, space maintenance, and even cosmetic dentistry for kids after trauma or to increase confidence.

This training also helps them communicate with even the youngest child or special needs patient carefully, gently, and compassionately. We offer a range of sedation options for kids who are especially nervous, have a hard time getting dental treatment, or need more advanced care.

Plus, kids really love coming to visit this office! A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable. Children are not born with a natural fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown.

Our office makes a special effort to use pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe each treatment. We want you and your little one to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office. That’s how we build a lifetime of healthy and happy smiles.

Preventing Dental Problems Before They Start

1. What should I do to help alleviate pain for teething children?

When new teeth arrive…Your child’s primary, or “baby,” teeth will begin to emerge between the ages of six to 12 months and will continue to appear until about age three. During this time, the gums may feel tender and sore.

To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.

2. What are some tips to ensure that my child has good oral health?

As your son or daughter’s teeth emerge, be sure to examine them every two weeks, looking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes his or her teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing two times a day for optimal oral hygiene.

Brushing can be fun, and children should brush as soon as that first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth appears, parents should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and we will discuss with you the right time to start flossing your child’s teeth. If you notice signs of decay, contact our office immediately.

3. How often should my child see the dentist?

Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid, which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit us every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest.

Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your youngster’s teeth, and prevent decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years but will be monitored at your child’s regular checkups.

Early dental care prevents life-long problems.
Is your little one ready for a healthy smile?

Call Today! (717) 481-7645