Seattle Pediatric Dentistry

Just for Kids

At Northgate Smiles, our friendly doctors and staff make kids feel safe and comfortable when they visit our office. We work to build a positive outlook about going to the dentist as kids grow and develop. Our Seattle pediatric dentistry practice emphasizes prevention and dental education in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Our priority is helping children learn how to care for their teeth and helping them build healthy habits. In addition, our dentists know that when dental problems are detected early, intervention may reduce or even help avoid future issues.

Cavities and Pediatric Check-Ups

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), cavities are “the most common chronic disease of childhood” and they can have “significant short- and long-term consequences”. That’s because oral health is an important part of a child’s overall health.  Along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), our office recommends that children have check-ups every six months to prevent cavities. Regular check ups are also important tool to help us spot possible dental problems early.

When Should a Young Child Start Seeing the Dentist?

It’s important for kids to begin wellness checks as soon as they have teeth. Our office, as well as the AAPD and the AAP, recommends that a child visit the dentist by his or her first birthday or within 6 months of her or his first tooth eruption-whichever comes first. You can read more about the AAP pediatric recommendations here.

Creating a Positive Experience

Our staff is committed to making sure every child has the most positive dental experience possible. By teaching kids how to care for their teeth, we help them to build habits that will lead to a lifetime of good oral health.

The Northgate Smiles pediatric dentistry team wants children to enjoy their dental visits and we always encourage a healthy attitude about going to the dentist. We recommend that parents refrain from using words around a child that might cause unnecessary fear of dentistry, such as ‘needle’, ‘shot’, ‘pull’, ‘drill’, or ‘hurt’. Our dental office makes a practice of using pleasant words that convey the same message but are less frightening to a child.

As part of the pediatric dentistry care that we provide, we have nitrous oxide available to children with anxiety about undergoing dental procedures or going to the dentist. We also have TV monitors in the treatment rooms for kids’ enjoyment. And, of course every child gets a visit to the treasure box when they are done.