Pedodontics
First birthday, first visit! Learn why it’s important, how to prep, and what to expect
Routine care is critical to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and avoid issue down the road!
When issues arise, we will diagnose and treat issues including fillings, extractions, sealants and more.
A brilliant smile for kids of all ages
Learn more about tongue and lip ties, how they can impact feeding, and treatment options.
Learn more about tools and techniques to enable effective treatment
Your child’s first dental visit
What to expect
During this first visit we will determine your child’s cavity risk. It starts with detailed medical/dental intake. We will then evaluate for oral conditions such as pathology, tongue/lip tie and cavities. We will ask a range questions- fluoride, pacifiers, diet, breastfeeding/bottle feeding, sippy cups, how to handle dental/mouth injuries, teething. Provide a clinically appropriate tooth cleaning and fluoride varnish application; imaging if indicated, and of course oral health education including tips on brushing and proper preventative care.
When to schedule
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child visit the dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth eruption. This early visit allows the dentist to check for any potential issues and establish a schedule for regular checkups. It also helps the child become comfortable with the dentist and dental care.
Common misconceptions
Parents may feel that the child does not have any presenting concerns or “enough” teeth. They may worry about the success of the appointment because the child may be too young to cooperate. There is also a general lack of awareness on the importance of the age 1 visit and of primary (baby) teeth. We have extensive experience with first visits and will make sure that it is productive to set your child on the right path.
A little prep will lead to a better experience!
We know you are the expert on your child. Our primary goal is to work together in creating a pleasant dental experience. We truly believe that parents working alongside the doctor are instrumental in shaping each visit. We recommend some guidelines to help produce a positive outcome and ensure the development of good rapport between us and your child.
Scheduling.
We encourage scheduling a child four years or younger for their first visit or any treatment visits earlier in the day. As experts in the field we know that children respond better to treatment when they are well rested. With that said, the dentist and her staff understand parental work obligations as well as school obligations. She and her staff will take those into consideration so the end result will be best for the child and you will get the most out of your visit.
Prep talk.
Allow us to prepare your child with the specifics of the appointment. We strongly advise parents not to discuss their own dental experiences with their child. Avoid negative words such as pain, shot, drill, pull, etc. If you choose to use books, videos, etc., we highly recommend that you consult the doctor and her staff, as they are privy to how each visit will proceed.
Be Positive!
Be positive and proactive. We realize that you may have varying concerns going into the visit. Please take the time to express these to the doctor and to her staff to best serve your child. We feel privileged to entrust care for your child into our hands. The pediatric dentist and her staff are specifically trained to deal with children across all medical and behavioral backgrounds.
Routine care & preventative treatment
At Hoboken Smile Specialists, we focus on preventive care and education. We want to give you and your family the information and tools you need to keep little teeth healthy all the way into adulthood. Along with proper oral hygiene, preventive visits will safeguard your little one from common dental health issues like cavities and gum disease. An oral evaluation is recommended every six (6) months to prevent cavities and other dental problems.
A thorough checkup includes:
Oral examination.
The dentist will do a thorough exam of your child starting from the “outside–in” approach. Dr. Kapoor will evaluate the head, neck, and jaws and then proceed with the soft tissue of the mouth, ending her exam with the teeth. Dr. Kapoor will take the time to show connections between your child’s medical, dental, and social history with findings during the exam.
Cleaning.
The extent of cleaning can vary with each child. Tougher adherent plaque or calculus will require a deeper cleaning.
Instruction.
This part of the visit involves showing the caregiver and parent age-appropriate methods of brushing and flossing. In addition, highlighting how certain foods and drinks can expose one to tooth decay.
Fluoride varnish.
The appointment is completed with a fluoride varnish application that provides prescription strength fluoride topically. The doctor will also determine the need for fluoride supplements which work systemically to make developing teeth stronger based on all of the information provided during the visit.
Digital x-rays.
X-rays are a vital diagnostic tool that help evaluate for certain dental conditions (decay, cysts, extra teeth, etc.). The frequency and type of dental x-rays varies from patient to patient. If dental conditions are found early, then dental care is deemed more comfortable and affordable. Our office prides itself on x-ray safety, using high speed digital film, protective aprons and the latest technology, thereby reducing radiation exposure significantly and producing instant high-quality images that can be viewed immediately.
Sealants (BPA free).
Sealants are recommended for teeth that have been deemed as susceptible to decay. Most commonly this is for the permanent adult molars, which have naturally occurring deep grooves where food tends to get trapped and even with brushing are usually difficult to access. We pay special attention to the materials we choose to ensure their bio compatibility and safety, using only materials that are BPA-free.
Sealants are applied on the chewing surfaces of teeth, usually in one visit.
Restorative
Even when you do your best to care for your child’s teeth, cavities can still develop. Proper restorative care is essential for protecting your child’s oral health and ensuring that tooth decay does not affect their oral development. At Hoboken Smile Specialists, our team offers gentle pediatric dental care in a warm environment to ensure that your child is comfortable on their journey back to optimal dental health.
Remineralization.
Fluoride varnish is recommended in both routine dental visits as well as a form of remineralization treatment for “emerging” or “incipient” tooth decay. This type of treatment is a conservative method in managing existing “incipient” tooth decay (in the form of stain, discoloration, visible small areas of decay).
Fillings.
We place BPA-free tooth-colored (mercury-free) fillings to repair decayed parts of the tooth. We pay special attention to the materials we choose to ensure their biocompatibility and safety.
Pulp treatment.
These types of treatment involve treating tooth decay that is deep into the tooth, with a medication that goes inside the tooth. This may be most apparent if your child complains of tooth pain.
Pediatric Crowns.
A Stainless Steel or White Zirconia Crown may be recommended for your child after a baby root canal is performed or if there is extensive damage to a back baby tooth from cavities or trauma. They are recommended when a traditional filling is not considered strong enough to protect the tooth until it will naturally fall out. (Keep in mind that the baby molars do not fall out until 11-14 years of age.) The difference between stainless steel and white crowns is mostly cosmetic, but the pros and cons to each crown can be discussed with your child’s doctor prior to placing it.
Extractions.
A dental extraction, often referred to as getting a tooth pulled, is a common procedure. Extractions may be necessary due to extensive dental cavities which can cause pain or infection, dental trauma, or for orthodontic reasons. Most extractions are routine and can be performed in our office. If Dr. Kapoor feels that an extraction is more complex, your child may be referred to an Oral Surgeon.
To ensure your child has a positive experience, we recommend the use of both Nitrous Oxide, to help them relax, and a local anesthetic to numb the area. Your child require stitches only rarely, and the area will heal on its own.
Cosmetic
Even when you do your best to care for your child’s teeth, cavities can still develop. Proper restorative care is essential for protecting your child’s oral health and ensuring that tooth decay does not affect their oral development. At Hoboken Smile Specialists, our team offers gentle pediatric dental care in a warm environment to ensure that your child is comfortable on their journey back to optimal dental health.
Bonding.
Cosmetic bonding is the process of filling or restoring teeth with a tooth-colored material in order to maintain a natural appearance.
Whitening for young adults
Whitening, also known as bleaching, is the procedure used to brighten teeth. In-office whitening usually requires only one office visit. A protective gel or a rubber shield is placed over the gums to protect the soft tissue. A bleaching agent containing carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth, and a laser light is then used to enhance the action of the whitening agent.
Infant frenectomy
Dr. Kapoor works in collaboration with lactation consultants, craniosacral therapists, occupational/speech/feeding therapists, physical therapists etc- to provide a team approach to infants born with tethered oral tissues. Her vast experience in laser dentistry and pediatric dentistry allow her to see the positive impact infant frenectomies have on feeding, speech, airway, and growth. She further emphasizes the importance of Functional Evaluations and the role of providers mentioned above before considering surgical procedures.
Behavior management
We understand the typical dental office may be an anxiety provoking place for children and their parents. We are fortunate enough to have an amazing team and a beautiful inviting office that was specifically designed with this in mind.
The team is well trained and passionate about providing the best care for all our clients! Please contact our patient concierge when setting up your child’s appointment to help select the best modality to suit their needs- this may include seeing the doctor during quiet hours, setting up a desensitization visit prior to the ‘BIG Day’, modifying the environment with lighting or music, creating a social story so the patient is aware of what to expect, watching our social media videos on toddlers seeing the dentist, or simply gaining tips on how to prepare for the visit.
Services available:
Local anesthesia
Nitrous oxide
IV Sedation (in office)
Book an appointment
We look forward to meeting you! Schedule your appointment online, or call the office.