Pediatric Dentistry
Gentle, Kid‑Friendly Dental Care for Infants, Children, and Teens
Worried about keeping your child comfortable, calm, and safe at the dentist? At Smiles Dentistry, our kid‑focused team makes visits positive from hello to high‑five. We use age‑appropriate language, gentle techniques, and a playful, welcoming space so little smiles leave feeling brave—not scared.
Why Pediatric Dentistry Matters
Healthy habits start early. Routine dental check-ups from the first tooth (or by age one) help us track tooth eruption, prevent cavities, and catch small issues before they become bigger problems. Our pediatric approach blends preventive dentistry, dental hygiene education, and minimally invasive care to support confident, lifelong child oral health. We also provide guidance for baby teeth care and age-specific tips for infant oral care to strengthen infant oral health at home. By monitoring risk and coaching families, we help prevent early childhood caries and protect children’s oral health for the long term.
What We Do for Growing Smiles
We tailor care by age and stage:
- Infant & toddler visits (knee‑to‑knee exams, teething guidance, feeding and fluoride counseling)
- Cleanings & exams with gentle polishing and cavity risk assessments
- Fluoride treatments & dental sealants to strengthen enamel and protect molars
- Tooth‑colored fillings and stainless steel crowns, when needed
- Pulp therapy (pulpotomy) to save badly decayed baby teeth
- Space maintainers after early tooth loss
- Habit counseling for thumb‑sucking/pacifier use and enamel‑friendly snacking
- Sports mouthguards sized for kids
- Anxiety‑reducing options (tell‑show‑do, distraction, nitrous oxide as appropriate)
- Emergency pediatric dentistry for toothaches, chips, and dental trauma
- Growth & bite evaluations with early orthodontic guidance (interceptive orthodontics)
Parent tip: Simple routines—twice‑daily brushing with a rice‑grain smear of fluoride toothpaste for under‑3s (pea‑size for 3+)—make a huge difference.
Preventive Care That Protects: Sealants, Fluoride & Beyond
Prevention is the foundation of children’s dental care. Our pediatric dental exams include cavity risk assessments and personalized plans to keep smiles strong:
- Dental sealants for kids: Thin, protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of back molars—proven to reduce decay by up to 80%. Most children benefit from sealants on permanent molars around ages 6 and 12.
- Fluoride treatments for kids: Professional-strength fluoride strengthens enamel and reverses early decay. We apply quick, flavored varnish treatments during cleanings—no gagging, no discomfort.
- Tooth decay prevention coaching: We teach children (and parents) brushing and flossing techniques, explain cavity-causing foods, and share snack swaps that protect teeth between meals.
- Dental x-rays for children: Low-radiation digital x-rays only when clinically necessary—typically every 1–2 years—to catch cavities between teeth and monitor development safely.
Preventive dental care for kids is always our first line of defense, minimizing the need for fillings or complex treatment down the road.
In some cases, we’ll recommend a targeted fluoride treatment to complement sealants and cleanings—an evidence-based step in dental caries prevention that helps stop dental caries before they start.
Early Orthodontic Evaluations & Interceptive Care
Orthodontics for children doesn’t always mean braces right away. Our pediatric dental specialists monitor your child’s bite and jaw development starting around age 7, when permanent molars emerge. Early evaluations help us spot crowding, crossbites, or growth concerns before they become complex—and sometimes a simple space maintainer or habit appliance can avoid years of treatment later. We coordinate with trusted orthodontists when comprehensive care is needed, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Comfort, Communication, and Safety (Our 3 C’s)
- Comfort: Kid‑sized chairs, calming explanations, and lots of praise.
- Communication: We explain every step in child‑friendly terms and keep parents in the loop.
- Safety: Hospital‑grade sterilization, digital x‑rays with low radiation, and behavior‑guidance techniques that put your child first.
We use evidence-based dental anxiety management tailored to dental anxiety in children, so visits feel calm, predictable, and positive.
Sedation Dentistry for Children: Calm, Comfortable Care
For children with dental anxiety, extensive treatment needs, or difficulty sitting still, sedation dentistry for kids can make visits safe and stress-free. We offer:
- Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): Mild, inhaled sedation that wears off quickly—ideal for routine procedures in anxious children.
- Oral conscious sedation: A liquid medication taken before the appointment to help your child feel deeply relaxed (for more complex cases).
- Referrals for hospital or IV sedation: When the safest option is full anesthesia, we coordinate with pediatric dental surgery specialists.
Sedation dentistry for children always requires parental consent, pre-appointment health screening, and careful monitoring. Our pediatric dental specialists are trained in safe sedation protocols, and we’ll walk you through every detail so you feel confident and informed.
Special Needs & Sensory-Friendly Dentistry
Every child deserves gentle, respectful dental care—including children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, physical disabilities, or medical complexities. Our special needs dentistry approach includes:
- Pre-visit photo tours and social stories to reduce anxiety
- Flexible appointment scheduling (quieter times, longer blocks as needed)
- Sensory accommodations: noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, dimmed lights
- Clear, patient-paced communication tailored to each child’s needs
- Collaboration with your child’s medical team and therapists
- Sedation dentistry options are used when appropriate for safety and comfort
We celebrate every victory—big or small—and work at your child’s pace. Call (561) 734‑2900 to discuss your child’s unique needs; we’re here to help.
Your Child’s First Visit: What to Expect
- Warm welcome and quick tour, so your child feels at home
- Gentle exam of teeth, gums, and bite; photos/x‑rays only when appropriate
- Brushing & flossing coaching (we make it fun!)
- Personalized prevention plan and at‑home tips for parents
Bring a favorite toy or blanket if it helps your child feel extra comfy.
Advanced Care When Needed: Oral Surgery & Complex Treatment
Sometimes baby teeth or developing adult teeth need more than a filling. Our pediatric oral surgery and advanced care services include:
- Tooth extractions: For severely decayed, abscessed, or impacted teeth—always with gentle anesthesia and post-op care instructions
- Frenectomy (tongue-tie/lip-tie release): Laser or surgical correction to improve feeding, speech, or orthodontic outcomes
- Trauma management: Repairing chipped, knocked-out, or displaced teeth after accidents
- Pediatric dental surgery referrals: For complex cases (e.g., impacted canines, jaw concerns), we connect you with trusted oral surgeons who specialize in children
Even when treatment is more involved, our focus stays on comfort, clear communication, and minimizing your child’s time in the chair.
Emergency Pediatric Dentist in Palm Springs, FL
Our team is trained to triage pediatric dental emergencies quickly and give you clear, step-by-step guidance on what to do next. We also provide comprehensive dental trauma management, including urgent care for dental trauma in children after accidents or sports injuries.
Dental emergencies don’t wait for business hours. If your child experiences a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, facial swelling, or injury to the mouth, call our emergency pediatric dentist line at (561) 734‑2900 immediately. We offer:
- Same-day emergency pediatric dentistry appointments whenever possible
- After-hours triage and guidance over the phone
- Calm, reassuring care that prioritizes pain relief and stabilization
- Coordination with specialists if hospital care is needed
Emergency pediatric dentistry Palm Springs families can count on: our dental clinics are equipped to handle urgent situations, and our team knows how to keep scared kids (and parents) calm under pressure.
Meet Our Pediatric Dental Team
Our pediatric dental specialists and pediatric dental hygienists bring advanced training, endless patience, and genuine love for working with children:
- Pediatric dentists complete 2–3 extra years of residency beyond dental school, specializing in child development, behavior guidance, and treating infants through teens.
- Pediatric dental hygienists use gentle techniques, kid-sized tools, and playful education to make cleanings fun (yes, fun!).
- Our assistants are trained in distraction, encouragement, and creating a child-friendly dental office atmosphere where kids feel safe, heard, and proud.
Every member of our team is background-checked, CPR-certified, and committed to making your child’s experience positive from start to finish.
Insurance, Appointments & Family-Friendly Scheduling
We make pediatric dental appointments easy for busy families:
- Dental insurance for kids: We accept most PPO plans and will verify your pediatric benefits, file claims, and maximize your coverage so you can focus on your child—not paperwork.
- Family dentistry options: Siblings can often be seen back-to-back or together, saving you trips. (We also see adults—ask about scheduling the whole family!)
- Flexible hours, including early morning and late afternoon slots
- Text and email appointment reminders
- Online scheduling available 24/7
Our front desk team is happy to answer questions about dental insurance for kids, payment plans, or CareCredit financing. Call (561) 734‑2900 to book an appointment.
People Also Ask
What Is Pediatric Dentistry?
Pediatric dentistry refers to the specialized branch of dentistry focused on the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence. At Smiles Dentistry, we provide expert care designed specifically for kids’ unique dental needs.
At What Age Can A Child Go To A Pediatric Dentist?
A child can go to a pediatric dentist as early as their first tooth appears or by their first birthday. Smiles Dentistry encourages early visits to set the foundation for healthy dental habits and prevent future issues.
What’s The Difference Between A Pediatric Dentist And A Regular Dentist?
The difference between a pediatric dentist and a regular dentist is that pediatric dentists have additional training to manage children’s dental development, behavior, and anxiety. Smiles Dentistry’s pediatric specialists create a child-friendly environment with gentle techniques tailored to young patients.
What Happens At A Child’s First Dentist Appointment?
At a child’s first dentist appointment at Smiles Dentistry, the dentist will check your child’s teeth, gums, bite, and oral development while educating you on proper dental care at home. The visit is designed to be comfortable and fun to build positive experiences early on.
Proudly Serving Palm Springs & Nearby Communities
Our office is located at 4175 S Congress Ave Ste H, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33461—minutes from Palm Springs, FL. We welcome families from Palm Springs, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, and surrounding neighborhoods.
Why Families Choose Our Palm Springs Dental Clinics
Parents throughout Palm Springs, Lake Worth Beach, and Boynton Beach trust Smiles Dentistry for child dental care because we combine clinical excellence with genuine warmth. Our pediatric dentist team listens to your concerns, answers your questions, and treats every child like family. From routine pediatric dental exams to dental sealants, fluoride treatments, and child-friendly dental offices designed to put kids at ease, we’re here for your family—today and as your children grow.
We Also Offer General Dentistry Services
In addition to our specialized pediatric care, Smiles Dentistry proudly offers a full range of general dentistry services for the whole family. From routine cleanings and preventive exams to restorative treatments and cosmetic enhancements, our experienced team is committed to keeping every smile in your household healthy, strong, and beautiful. Whether you’re addressing a specific dental concern or simply maintaining your oral health, we provide compassionate, personalized care in a comfortable and welcoming environment. This means you can trust Smiles Dentistry as your one-stop destination for lifelong dental wellness.
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