Pediatric Dentistry: What You Need to Know
Learn more about why your child needs to see a pediatric dentist.
Children are growing, learning, and constantly changing, which is why they deserve dental care from a team that understands them.
Our pediatric dentist…Learn more about our dentist… has the experience, knowledge, and training to not only care for your child’s smile, but make their visit a lot of fun too.
At Palouse Pediatric Dentistry, our team works closely with children and parents, along with special needs patients, to bring you and your family a friendly and comfortable experience (whether it’s a first dentist visit or a routine follow-up).
We believe preventative care is key to a happy and healthy smile, which is why we’ll work closely with you to establish good habits when you visit one of our dental practice in Pullman, WA…Learn more about our location.. or Moscow, ID…Learn more about our Moscow location…. We can’t wait to meet you!
Treatments for Kids
Regular dental visits for everyone (including kids) are an important part of preventative care and can be scheduled once teeth start showing or before a child’s first birthday. Our board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Karen works closely with children of all ages, and special needs adults, to examine the health and development of their mouth, teeth, gums, and bite.
We incorporate gentle techniques to identify potential problems and recommend the necessary next steps for maintaining great oral health. During the exam, we’ll answer any questions the patient or parent may have, and don’t worry, we’ll even make some time for fun and laughter, too!
Food stuck in a child’s back teeth grooves is a common problem, especially as kids are just learning to brush. Unfortunately, this may lead to an increased risk of bacterial growth and tooth decay, which is why we offer dental sealants.
Sealants are a pain-free and safe treatment that fills these grooves and helps prevent cavities with a barrier on the tooth. It’s super easy to do: first, the tooth is cleaned, and then a sealant resin is applied and hardened to protect the tooth from bacteria.
It’s no secret that dental health starts at a young age and must be practiced at home, which is why we encourage parents to get involved. During your child’s dental visit, we’ll clean and assess your child’s teeth and gums, plus offer advice for ways to improve brushing habits and care at home.
Great oral hygiene can be fun, so rather than lecturing, we believe in leading by example to show kids how to care for their teeth and make it enjoyable, too! During your child’s dental cleaning visit, we may also incorporate a fluoride treatment if needed.
For children and special needs patients undergoing more complex dental treatments or experiencing severe dental anxiety for multiple procedures, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and general anesthesia options in the office, ambulatory surgery centers, and outpatient hospital settings for patients who need it.
Prior to treatment, we’ll determine and discuss which is best for your child. Your child’s safety and comfort are our top priority, in addition to bringing your family the highest-quality dental care.
Special Needs Dentistry
Our goal is to make every patient feel special during their visit.
At Palouse Pediatric Dentistry, our team invites special needs patients and their parents to experience our all-inclusive practice.
To ensure that our special needs patients feel comfortable from start to finish, we work closely with them to set the right pace and welcome them for introductory meetings. This way, our patients feel at ease with a specialist they trust in a relaxing environment.
Tanya A. (Patient’s Mom)
Helping Kids Relax
Dr. Karen Sept uses modern techniques and safe treatments to help even the most anxious children.
To help alleviate dental anxiety and discomfort, we offer a number of treatment options.
For patients with severe dental anxiety, multiple treatments, or complex procedures, we offer nitrous oxide (AKA laughing gas) or treatment under general anesthesia as appropriate.
General anesthesia is available in our office, as well as in an ambulatory surgery center or outpatient hospital setting based on your child’s needs.
