My Child Needs a Dentist
Your child’s dental care is very important to their development. We know visiting the dentist for the first time can be scary, so Diablo Hills Dental Excellence is happy to treat your child while he or she sits on your lap. Our goal is to develop a caring relationship with your child & to encourage proper oral hygiene that will last lifetime.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends an oral health consultation as soon as your child’s first tooth comes in or by their first birthday at the latest. Most children have a full set of baby teeth by age 3 & as many as 1 in 4 children has a cavity by age 4.
At this first visit, we’ll check for tooth decay & other dental problems, but we’ll also demonstrate how to clean & care for your child’s teeth & how to deal with other oral issues like teething & thumb sucking.
What is the Best Age to Begin Your Child’s Orthodontic Treatment?
At Diablo Hills Dental Excellence, we will be assessing your child’s bite through all stages of development. We are conveniently located in Antioch, making it easier for you & your family to receive the orthodontic care you deserve.
Stage I — Primary Teeth: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12, when all the permanent teeth erupt. Treatment at this stage often deals with underdevelopment
of the jaw. In many cases, the dental arch can be expanded to accommodate crowded teeth. Treatment initiated in this stage of development is often very successful & frequently eliminates the need for future treatment.
Stage II — Mixed Dentition: This period covers the ages of 6 to 12, when the permanent front teeth (incisors) & 6-year molars come in. Treatment deals with jaw misalignment & dental realignment problems. This is an excellent stage to start treatment if necessary, as your child’s hard & soft dental tissues are usually very responsive to orthodontic or orthopedic forces.
Stage IV – Orthopedic Relapse: In many cases, patients don’t wear their retainers enough, which can lead to teeth shifting back to their previous positions. These
cases are perfect for Invisalign treatment, which will return your perfect smile.
Dr. Palano is happy to navigate you and your children through all these stages.