Pediatric Dentistry

What Is A Pediatric Dentist?

In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, pediatric dentists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health using the most advanced techniques. Pediatric dentists learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. And you can find experienced and qualified Pediatric dentists right here in Shanghai!

Our Practice Philosophy

Has your child ever begged you not to leave the dentist? Impossible, you say? Not at our dental clinics in Puxi and Pudong. It could be our gentle touch and special way with kids. Our pediatric dentists LOVE children and are especially trained to put them at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth and just as importantly, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun!

PureSmile was founded with the idea that every child is an individual. Each child is different based on age, cognitive development, and previous medical and/or dental visits. With this in mind, our doctors and our staff try to customize each visit specifically for each child, therefore creating an environment where children have positive dental experiences and quality dental care.

When is my child’s first visit?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) now recommend that your child see a dentist upon eruption of their first tooth, or by age 1.  By seeing children at an early age, we are able to examine children to make sure that all dental structures are developing normally.  More importantly it allows us to speak with parents about diet and hygiene and to discuss prevention.  Children that begin early with their dental care, tend to have lower rates of decay because the child is less averse to the dental setting, parents are better educated, and early intervention (when necessary) can be accomplished, so areas of concern do not become major problems later.

First Visit

Just as each child is different, each “first dental visit” is different.  Every child presents with different dental needs and different cognitive levels.  Your first visit to the pediatric dentist is an important time to examine your child’s teeth, discuss diet and habits, and establish a “dental home” in Shanghai for your family.  For those children with dental disease, it is a time to discuss if and what are the best treatment options for your child so they can have visits that are positive and not help to perpetuate fear and anxiety.

Many parents will ask “Why worry about baby teeth when they are going to fall out?” Baby teeth (primary teeth) are important because they do not only aid in function of the oral cavity through chewing and speech development, but they also help to hold space for the developing permanent teeth. Excellent dental care helps to aid the developing oral cavity prepare for the emergence of the permanent teeth.

When primary teeth get decay, they can lead to dental pain and abscessed teeth. Studies have shown that children with severe decay miss more days of school and have a harder time concentrating in school. It is important for children to build strong preventive habits early on so that they may go on to have excellent dental hygiene as they mature.

Our goals are to help minimize early childhood decay, and restoring teeth that have cavities which may cause children discomfort and pain.

Our doctors will always explain when and why a tooth needs a restoration and how to prevent future cavities from developing through diet and good oral hygiene.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my child first see a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend a child’s first visit by age 1.  Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future.

Why so early? What dental problems could a baby have?

The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (also know as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Your child risks severe decay from using a bottle during naps or at night or when they nurse continuously from the breast.

The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

How can I prevent tooth decay from a bottle or nursing?

Encourage your child to drink from a cup as they approach their first birthday. Children should not fall asleep with a bottle. At-will nighttime breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary (baby) teeth begin to erupt. Drinking juice from a bottle should be avoided. When juice is offered, it should be in a cup

When should bottle-feeding be stopped?

Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age.

Should I worry about thumb and finger sucking?

Thumb sucking is perfectly normal for infants; most stop by age 2. If your child does not, discourage it after age 4. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth, or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

When should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush and water. Remember that most small children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. Unless it is advised by your child’s pediatric dentist, do not use fluoridated toothpaste until age 2.

Any advice on teething?

From six months to age 3, your child may have sore gums when teeth erupt. Many children like a clean teething ring, cool spoon, or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by a chilled ring; others simply rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger.

What is fluoride?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents tooth decay. If the water where you live does not have enough fluoride, your doctor may prescribe fluoride supplements (fluoride drops or pills). You would give these drops or pills every day, starting when your child is about six months old. Only give as much as the directions say to use because too much fluoride can cause spots on your child’s teeth. Children should take these drops or pills until they are 12 to 16 years old (or until you move to an area with fluoride in the water).