The pediatric dental specialists at BDS focus on the oral and dental health care of children from infancy through their teen years. They specialize in caring for a child’s teeth, gums, and mouth throughout each stage of childhood. Pediatric dentists complete four years of dental school and an additional two years of residency training in dentistry for pediatric emergencies, children, children with special needs, and teens. Our doctors help your child have caring and gentle early experiences at the dentist that can instill confidence and comfort in the value of their dental health for the rest of their lives.
Children begin to get their baby teeth during the first 6 months of life. By age 6 or 7 years, they start to lose their first set of teeth, which eventually are replaced by secondary, permanent teeth. Without proper dental care, children face possible oral decay and disease that can cause a lifetime of pain and complications. We offer a preventative care including fluoride, sealants and hygiene maintenance for children of all ages.
The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend establishing a dental home for your child by one year of age. If you and your child have an established relationship with a specific dentist, you’re more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
All children can feel a little nervous or unsure about their dental visit, and we are here to help. We want your child to enjoy getting to know Dr. Mary and Dr. Shakila and the team so they can feel comfortable at all times. Patient education is an essential part of what we do at Brookline Dental Specialists and we’ll work with you to help your child understand how important it is to practice good oral hygiene at home.
Gaining your child’s trust at their very first visit is our primary goal. The scope of the appointment will depend on how open he or she is. A typical first visit usually goes like this:
Our pediatric specialist will work with you to make a treatment plan that is right for you and your child. As parents you can help your child have a more positive experience and can contribute to the success of necessary dental procedures that can now be provided in a hospital setting.
Some children have more difficulty calming down than others, and if this is the case, Dr. Mary is certified and can offer conscious sedation (nitrous oxide) to keep your child safe and comfortable during their treatment.
Brookline Dental Specialists provide urgent care for dental injuries, including knocked-out or displaced permanent teeth, which should be quickly placed back in the socket or transported in milk or saliva. They also treat oral injuries like cuts on the tongue, lips, or cheeks, recommending ice and gentle pressure to control bleeding, with emergency care if needed.
Brookline Dental Specialists can help address common pediatric dental concerns like teeth grinding and thumb sucking, which can impact a child’s oral development. They also provide pulp therapy, including pulpotomies and pulpectomies, to treat damaged tooth pulp and preserve primary teeth until they naturally fall out.
We make customized Playsafe brand sports mouthguards in our own lab right in the office that are the proper thickness, size and fit for optimal protection and safety. A custom Playsafe mouthguard can cushion a blow to the face, minimizing the risk of broken teeth and injuries to your lips, tongue, face or jaw. Our doctors consider the mouthguard an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age.
As a multi-specialty dental practice, Brookline Dental Specialists can provide high quality dentistry for your whole family. From basic dental checkups, to orthodontics, to periodontal care, we have your family covered.
Our dental team loves kids and families! We know how important positive early experiences at the dentist can contribute to a lifelong commitment to maintaining a healthy smile.
Dental health care during the teen years can be challenging as kids become more independent and parents have less control over diet and habits. Oral home care habits can slide, sometimes to the point of complete neglect. Preventative visits every six months allow us to coach your teen about positive efforts they are making and show them the value of healthy habits in the long run. We make sure teens feel comfortable and have a stress free and enjoyable experience to encourage compliance and cooperation as well.
As a multi-specialty office we can provide general dental care for your teens as well as any orthodontic treatment that may become necessary as your child enters pre-teen/teen years. Most parents find it convenient and comforting to bring their children as they grow to the same office to see familiar and friendly faces for all their treatment needs.
We really love providing dental care for kids! Our whole team recognizes that kids have individual needs and may be anxious before their first appointments. Some children have more difficulty calming down than others, and if this is the case, Dr. Mary is certified and can offer conscious sedation (nitrous oxide) to keep your child safe and comfortable during their treatment.
One way you can help put your child at ease before dental visits is to simply focus on the positive aspects of dentistry and avoid using words like “needles,” or “drills” that might cause unnecessary fear. Use comments like, “The dentist will show you lots of new, interesting, fun things to help you have a shiny, healthy smile,” can really get them curious and even excited about their appointment with us. Definitely inform your child about the visit and tell them that the dentist will explain everything they need to know and answer all of their questions.
We understand how busy and hectic life can be so we offer weekend and evening appointments that allow you to make it to the dentist when it is most convenient for you. We even have family appointments that can accommodate you and your kids at the same time! Our patient care coordinators are happy to work with you to get the best possible appointment times scheduled for you and your whole family.
