Children's Dentistry

At Maryvale Children's Dentistry and Orthodontics, we see children of all ages—from infants to teens and all ages in between. Our team is here for your child's oral health journey, from the arrival of the first baby tooth to the first wisdom tooth and every stage in between.

Pediatric Dentistry from Infants to Teens

We agree with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation that children have their first dental checkup six months after getting their first baby tooth but no later than age one.

Your child's oral health is a precious thing. Steps taken when they are young can significantly impact their future oral health and set the stage for a lifelong healthy smile.

  • Dental exams and teeth cleanings
  • Sealants and fluoride
  • Tooth fillings and baby crowns
  • Tooth extraction, including wisdom teeth
  • Baby root canals
  • Traditional braces
  • Sedation dentistry
  • Sports mouthguards

Why Baby Teeth Are Important

Children eventually lose baby teeth, but we need to keep them healthy until they're ready to come out naturally. Baby teeth have several important jobs to do:

  • Help your child learn to chew
  • Allow your child to speak clearly
  • Hold space for permanent teeth
  • Guide permanent teeth into the proper position

Our dentists can watch for cavities and other issues and treat them promptly with exams and teeth cleanings at our Phoenix, AZ, dental office every six months.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

We create a safe, fun, and stress-free environment to help kids develop a positive association with dental visits. Our kindhearted team is very patient and gentle and understands that each child is unique.

At your child's first visit, we'll count their teeth, give them a ride in the dental chair, and let them hold the little mirror. As your child's confidence grows, we'll include cleanings and exams at their appointments.

We also encourage you to use your child's appointments to ask questions about brushing and flossing, diet, habits like bottle-feeding and thumb-sucking, or anything else that's on your mind.

Dentistry as Your Child Grows

Around age three, children usually have all their baby teeth. Between ages six and 12, baby teeth start to come out and are replaced by permanent or adult teeth.

Our dentists will be here for your child to provide whatever services they need to maintain healthy teeth and gums during these years.

Dental Sealants & Fluoride

Many children benefit from dental sealants that protect teeth with a thin plastic coating and seal out bacteria and food particles. Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect them against decay.

Tooth Fillings and Baby Dental Crowns

If a baby tooth has a cavity, we need to repair it with a filling to protect it until the permanent tooth comes in. Fillings work well for small cavities, but a larger cavity may require a baby dental crown to protect it.

Baby crowns are very durable and affordable and stay in place until the permanent tooth is ready to emerge. Since a crown covers the entire tooth, it protects it from further decay and strengthens it, so it functions properly.

Wisdom Teeth Extractions in Phoenix, AZ

Wisdom teeth are also called third molars and are the last teeth to appear in our late teens and early 20s. Because these teeth are so far back in the mouth, they can be impossible to clean properly, and they also cause crowding of existing teeth.

Our dentists commonly recommend removing them for these reasons and perform wisdom teeth extraction—including impacted wisdom teeth—here at our comfortable Phoenix, AZ, dental office. 

Orthodontic Evaluation at Age Seven

We recommend all children have an orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Jesse at the age of seven. The purpose is to determine what steps we can take now to minimize or even eliminate the need for braces in the future.

Safe Sedation Dentistry for Kids

Our priority is a comfortable experience for your child so they keep a positive attitude about dental care. If your child needs a filling, root canal, crown, or extraction, we recommend nitrous oxide or "laughing gas." Nitrous is a safe and effective way to prevent dental anxiety and allow kids to have a calm, relaxed experience.

Schedule Your Child's Next Dental Exam

If you have concerns about your infant's oral health, need to schedule your toddler's first dental exam, or have an older child due for a checkup, we would love to help you!

Please call Maryvale Children's Dentistry and Orthodontics, and a cheerful team member will be happy to help you. We are children's dentists who are pleased to serve Phoenix and the surrounding communities.