emergency dental care for kids san fransisco

San Francisco Infant Dentistry

Kids Under 2 Get Free Cleanings

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For your convenience, we offer same-day appointments!

415.825.3323

2690 3rd St San Francisco, CA 94158

smiles@mbpedsdentist.com

Why Does My Baby Need To See The Dentist?

At Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry, we see patients as young as 12-18 months of age. Why should you bring your baby to the dentist? Because as soon as they have teeth, it’s important to take good care of them! Preventive treatments like six-month oral exams and teeth cleanings are the best way to keep teeth healthy at all ages, and this includes infancy.

Seeing a pediatric dentist like Dr. Erin Shah from a very young age also allows her to keep an eye on your child’s mouth as it continues to develop and grow. If there are any issues, she will catch them early. And by providing you with tips and advice on how to take care of your child’s mouth, our team can help prevent common oral health issues like tooth decay (cavities).

Teeth cleaning

For the youngest patients, we will position your child in your lap in a way that allows you to see what we see. We use this position to demonstrate how to gently but thoroughly clean each of their teeth and their gums. This helps keep your baby’s new teeth healthy and gives you realistic techniques you can use at home to optimize your care of your baby's smile.

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Oral exam

Dr. Shah will examine their teeth and mouth closely to make sure everything looks good. X-rays are not usually necessary for infants and very young kids, unless Dr. Shah suspects an oral health issue that requires further diagnosis.

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Parental Empowerment

We will provide guidance and answer any questions you may have about what to expect as your child grows and how to care for their new baby teeth as they continue to emerge over the next couple of years. Dr. Shah will tailor her recommendations to your family's lifestyle so that you have the information to make choices that will keep your baby’s teeth healthy.

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Caring For Your Infant’s Teeth And Gums

First of all, you’ll need to start brushing your infant’s teeth as soon as their first tooth erupts. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste, and brush each tooth thoroughly. Make sure to brush their gums, too. This keeps them healthy and clean. You’ll also want to start flossing your infant’s mouth when their teeth start to touch. This helps remove food particles and other debris that can’t be removed with brushing alone.

You should also watch their diet. Your child should only drink water, breastmilk, formula, or milk as appropriate for their age. Avoiding juice and other sugary drinks helps prevent decay. Once they start eating solid food, you should also avoid most sugary and processed foods to help prevent cavities. Brushing after feeding or eating will help prevent decay, too.

Finally, make sure you come to Mission Bay Pediatric Dentistry for six-month teeth cleanings and checkups. Regular dental visits keep your child’s smile healthy and strong, and help Dr. Shah catch potential oral health issues before they become more serious.

Gift Your child a healthy smile with our

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Treatments for Healthy Smiles

New Patient Consultations & Regular Checkups

Whether you are looking for a new dental home for your children, or you want to get a second opinion, we are here to provide timely and tailored information, a positive environment, and peace of mind. At each check-up, we evaluate your child’s development, habits, and overall oral health to provide support for healthy adult smiles.

Infant Exams

It all begins with the first tooth. We recommend bringing your infant in when their first tooth erupts or between 12 and 18 months, whatever comes first. At this exciting first visit, we discuss your lifestyle and find opportunities to promote your child’s oral health, setting them up for success in the long term. An early visit is key to establishing good habits before not-so-good, harmful ones take root (no pun intended!). Take the drama out of your kiddo’s nightly routine and accomplish a healthy routine for even the wiliest of toddlers (yes, really!)

Dental Cleanings

Keep those pearlies shiny! We tailor dental cleaning to your child’s needs for a fresh smile at each visit. We remove stains, goo, and “plaque fossils” that cause decay and inflamed gums, polishing them until they sparkle. Cleaning time is also teaching time. We work with kiddos still developing their teeth-cleaning skills and reinforce positive habits and techniques!

Fluoride Treatments

Did you know regular fluoride treatments significantly reduce your child’s risk of cavities? We apply the fluoride treatment directly to teeth with a small brush. The sticky formula adheres for several hours strengthening those pearly whites with maximum mineral intake. Think of it as vitamins for their teeth. They help replace minerals lost during acid attacks during normal eating and drinking. The enamel absorbs the mineral into these weak spots and creates a harder tooth structure that resists future acid attacks and breakdowns.

Dental Sealants

As a prevention-first dental practice, we pride ourselves on providing dental sealants according to the highest AAPD standards. Dental sealants are applied to high-risk grooves of teeth, where food gets and stays stuck. It can be difficult for learning brushers to consistently clean these tricky spots as they can be so narrow that a toothbrush cannot properly clean them. Fortunately, dental sealants are a fast and easy treatment, kind of like getting a manicure, but for teeth! This small measure makes a huge difference in your child’s oral health!

Minimally-Invasive Cavity Arresting Treatment - "SDF" or Silver Diamine Fluoride

Oops! Your child has a weak spot in their tooth or maybe even a small cavity. It happens! We offer a treatment that slows the growth of the cavity which requires no numbing or operating on the tooth. This allows us to buy time for your child to mature so they can tolerate tooth restoration. And sometimes, Silver Diamine Fluoride helps completely avoid having to fix the tooth altogether.

The Benefits of Early Dental Care

First and foremost, you’ll get peace of mind. Just like seeing a pediatrician for their whole-body health, bringing your child to a pediatric dentist ensures that their mouth is healthy. And if there are any issues, the earlier a dentist intervenes, the better! You can rest easy, and know that you’re taking great care of your child’s mouth.

This helps save you time and money, too. By preventing oral health problems or catching them early, you can avoid the need for more complex dental treatments as your child grows. Preventive care for kids is covered by all dental insurance plans, too.

Finally, visiting the dentist regularly from a very early age helps your child get used to dental care. They’ll be less nervous and anxious about teeth cleanings and other dental treatments. Not only that, but as they grow, a pediatric dentist like Dr. Shah can prepare them with the tools and information they need to prepare for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Join Our Dental Family

Gift your child a smile that shines as bright as they do with personalized comfort visits and warmhearted care that'll make them feel right at home. From our family to yours – we can’t wait to meet you both!

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