Pediatric Dentist Ahwatukee & Chandler, AZ

Rush Family Dental provides pediatric dentistry in Phoenix with locations in Ahwatukee and Chandler.

Pediatric dentists undergo specialized training after dental school, which includes two to three years of further training to handle unique dental needs and emergencies in children. Please contact us if you have any questions about our services or to schedule an appointment for your child. Our entire team is dedicated to ensuring that each child's visit is enjoyable and memorable.

What Does a Pediatric Dentist Do?

Pediatric dentistry refers to services for infants, children, and teens. We welcome young patients to our office because we believe that early dental care improves lifelong oral health. Comprehensive oral health care is tailored specifically for children and teenagers, addressing their unique developmental needs through specialized training and practices. Children need many of the same services as adults, including cleanings, comprehensive exams, and composite fillings. Dental professionals play a crucial role in providing specialized care for children, preventing and treating dental issues, and educating parents.

Benefits of Pediatric Dentistry

Focus on Preventive Care

Our Pediatric Dentists focus on prevention and early detection of dental issues. We track your child’s oral development from infancy and have the ability to detect and deal with abnormalities early on. We ensure that each patient receives preventive care at least twice yearly, including cleanings, comprehensive exams, and X-rays when necessary. Proper dental care is essential in preventing oral decay and disease in children, helping to avoid serious long-term complications.

Create Positive Experiences

We want your child to feel excited about coming to the dentist. We do our best to create positive associations with dental care. A patient pediatric dentist and hygienist who take the time to comfort a child and distract them when necessary can help them feel at ease.

Reduces the Chance of Developing Dental Anxiety

Children who see a pediatric dentist starting at a young age are less likely to feel nervous in the office. They build trusting relationships with our pediatric dentists and hygienists.

Improved Oral and Overall Health

The earlier your child receives professional dental care, the more likely they will be to maintain excellent oral health for a lifetime. Many lifelong oral health problems like decay and gum disease have their roots in childhood dental care. Reinforcing positive habits will lower your child’s chances of needing costly restorative work in the future. Pediatric dentists play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating dental problems in children, ensuring their oral health challenges are addressed promptly.

Procedures Offered

Preventive & Diagnostic Services

Comprehensive Dental Exams: Pediatric dentists play a crucial role in providing care during a dental exam. They are specially trained to make young patients feel comfortable and cooperative while carefully examining the child’s mouth, throat, and neck for signs of potential problems. They also check the child’s dental development.
Dental Cleanings: The hygienist removes all plaque and tartar from the child’s teeth to reduce the chance of developing both gum disease and tooth decay.
X-Rays: Digital X-rays or radiographs show what is happening beneath the visible surface, detecting problems like cavities, cysts, and infections. Digital X-rays use only a fraction of the radiation used by traditional film X-rays, making the process safer for your child.

Pulpectomies

Also called "baby root canals," pulpectomies remove the inflamed pulp inside the crown of a child's primary tooth. They relieve severe toothache and help to preserve natural teeth.

Pediatric Restorative Dentistry

Composite Fillings: We provide safe, effective fillings made of composite resin. These fillings blend with the natural color of the tooth.
Silver Crowns: If a child has a large cavity, the tooth may not have enough structure to function independently. Keeping the natural root in place helps to maintain spaces for permanent teeth. The child receives a silver crown to preserve the prepared tooth.

Bonding

Using a similar material to our composite fillings, we can repair chipped, broken, discolored, or gapped teeth.

Special Needs Dentistry

We understand that children with autism and other developmental issues sometimes have difficulty at the dentist. We can provide dental care sensitive to these children's needs.

Why Choose Rush Family Dental?

We are a family-run practice dedicated to caring for our patients. We provide advanced care with a personal touch and work to ensure all of our patients feel comfortable and welcome in the office. Dr. Cory and Dr. Kyle each have young children at home and a wealth of experience treating pediatric patients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Dentistry

When should my child have their first dental appointment?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that the first dental visit happen by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. Dental visits for infants and toddlers allow the child to become accustomed to the office environment and to build a trusting relationship with the dentist and staff.

How do I prepare my child for visiting the dentist?

One of the best ways to prepare your child for the dentist is to bring them to your check-ups to allow them to meet the clinical staff and become familiar with the environment. Seeing your positive experiences up close reduces the chance that your child will experience anxiety. Books and shows about the dentist can help familiarize children with what will happen during their appointment. Role-playing with toys and dolls is another fun way to introduce these concepts.

How should I care for my child's teeth?

Beginning in infancy, wipe your child’s gums with a clean washcloth. After the first tooth erupts, use a baby toothbrush and a tiny smear of children’s fluoride toothpaste the size of one grain of rice. Brush at least twice a day. It would be best to begin flossing when the child’s teeth become close enough to meet in the back.

Are fluoride treatments safe for my child?

Fluoride treatments are safe when given in a dental office. They help to harden and remineralize the tooth enamel, lowering the chance your child will suffer from tooth decay. Dental fluoride varnish hardens instantly on contact with saliva, lowering the risk of swallowing.

Why is it important to treat baby teeth when they eventually fall out?

Tooth decay in baby teeth can cause fever, pain, and infection. The infection may spread to the head and neck, causing illness and severe swelling. Children need their baby teeth to chew and speak clearly. If baby teeth fall out prematurely, there will also be problems with emerging permanent teeth. The child may need extensive orthodontic treatment later on. Early childhood dental caries are more common than conditions like asthma and hay fever, making it crucial to address dental issues promptly. We can help you maintain and improve your child’s oral health well into the future. Please at our Phoenix or Chandler office to learn more about pediatric dentistry and how it can help your child stay healthy.

How can I find a pediatric dentist?

To find a pediatric dentist, you can consult resources like the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which provides a directory of pediatric dentists by location. Additionally, your pediatrician can offer recommendations for a nearby pediatric dentist.

We can help you maintain and improve your child's oral health well into the future. Please contact us at our Phoenix or Chandler office to learn more about pediatric dentistry and how it can help your child stay healthy.

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Ahwatukee location

Chandler location

Ahwatukee

Chandler

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Pediatric Dentistry in Ahwatukee and Chandler, AZ