At Westchase Smiles Institute Institute, we encourage parents to bring their child to the dentist shortly after their first teeth begin to emerge. This is typically between the ages of six months and one year. Children who make visits at this young age will become more familiar with the standard process, and it will make them feel more comfortable with seeing an oral care professional when they grow older. After the first visit, a child should continue to make regular visits once every six months, unless otherwise instructed. Additionally, parents should make sure that their child follows any instructions for at-home care.

When providing dental care for younger patients, our staff will do everything possible to maximize their comfort during the visit. Children and teens enjoy the flat-screen TVs that are featured in our patient rooms. If your child feels nervous about visiting the dentist, we can offer them blankets and pillows for comfort. And parents will appreciate our family scheduling options that make it easy for your entire family to receive care on the same day.

Our pediatric services include sealants and fluoride applications.

• Sealants: Dental sealants are an acrylic coating that is applied over the molars. This will establish an effective barrier against the oral bacteria and acids that can cause serious damage. Children and teens are usually excellent candidates for dental sealants. Baby teeth often feature deep grooves and fissures that put them at a high-risk for developing cavities. By applying sealants, this type of damage is much less likely to occur. Additionally, sealants provide the added benefit of making the teeth easier to clean by smoothing out any rough surfaces. This can be very beneficial for children who are still developing their brushing and flossing skills.