Pediatric Dentistry

At Bowers and Oki Family Dentistry, we see children of all ages.  We love seeing children and setting them up for a lifelong commitment to good oral health. Getting your child comfortable in the dental office and creating positive experiences makes a huge difference. Dentistry is not painful and scary as it was before and we want children to view dentistr from this modern setting.

Starting Your Child's Dental Journey

We recommend children be seen for their first dental visit around the age of 1, or within 6 months of their first tooth erupting.  These early visits are important for establishing a dental home, getting your child comfortable with the dentist, educating parents about home care and diet, and evaluating for cavities, airway development and growth. At your child's visit, we will introduce your child to the office, routines and work to make the experience as fun and stress free as possible. We want your child to have a positive experience at the dentist.

To prepare for your child's appointment, keep the atmosphere light and engaging. We want your child to be excited for their visit. Avoid words like "fear", "afraid", "brave" as they can create a negative mindset. We have fun names for all our dental equipment such as "tooth counter", "tooth tickler", "sleepy juice",  and "Mr Thirsty". Let us know if you have questions about how to create a positive atmosphere or how you can help your child have a great experience.

Fluoride treatments

Fluoride treatments are recommended for most children.  Fluoride has been proven to lower the risk of developing tooth decay and can result in remineralization of small cavities. It is an important and effective tool in maintaining the oral health of children and reducing the time and expense involved with doing fillings and crowns on baby teeth. Most people in Albuquerque, NM do not have fluoride in their water, which results in an increased risk of developing cavities. If you have well water, consider having your water tested for fluoride content. We can provide supplements when appropriate.

Our Albuquerque dental office also utilizes Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) as an alternative treatment for cavities on baby teeth close to exfoliation. This treatment can temporarily stop the growth of cavities, allowing us to avoid costly fillings on teeth close to falling out.

Sealants

Sealants are made of a clear or tooth colored material that seals the pits and grooves on the back teeth.  Sealants may be recommended if your child has deep grooves on the biting surfaces of these teeth. This helps to prevent food and bacteria from settling in to these fissures, which can reduce the risk of developing a cavity during these important early years.