Pediatric and Children’s Dentistry in Morris County, NJ
Why A Pediatric Dentist?
Has your child ever begged you not to leave the dentist? Impossible you say? Not at our office. It could be our gentle touch and special way with kids. Our pediatric specialists and staff love children and are specially trained to put them at ease. We teach your children the proper way to take care of their teeth and just as important, they learn that going to the dentist can be fun.
What Is A Pediatric Dentist (Pedodontist)?
In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, our pediatric dental specialists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health using the most advanced techniques, and all in our delightfully friendly open treatment area. Pediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training at university pediatric facilities in addition to four years of dental school and four years of college study. Our practice can provide a wide range of dental services for your children. Our flexibility in our services saves you time and keeps your total dental care within one practice. Our emphasis is on total preventative care for our patients. Total care begins with regular hygiene visits, regular check-ups and continued home oral health routines.
Preventative Measures Provided By Dr. Howie
Dr. Howie and his team provide many preventative measures to keep your child’s teeth clean and healthy, including sealants and fluoride treatments. We also educate the parents in early detection of some common problems children may face, including thumb sucking, bruxism and baby bottle tooth decay.
Ready to take the next step in your child’s dental health?
Please call our Chatham Office with questions, concerns or to make an appointment.
Dental Sealants
Sealants are added to your children’s teeth using a clear or white liquid that is not visible in their mouth. These mainly are used for deep grooves in children’s molars, which may be hard to reach during regular brushing. Once the sealant hardens around the teeth, it will provide an even stronger barrier against bacteria that your child’s enamel already provides. It’s like having a double shield against foreign toxins.
Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and in many of the foods you eat! Because it strengthens the enamel layer, fluoride is important for your children’s teeth. Enamel is what protects your children’s teeth from bad bacteria and sugars that cause teeth to decay. Teeth should always be revitalized with fluoride, as it curbs cavity progression and will leave your children’s teeth with a sleek shine. Fluoride can be applied with toothpaste and mouthwash at home, but the dental services we provide will make sure your children’s teeth are kept healthy and strong.
24/7 Emergency Care
Medical emergencies in the mouth can be scary. It’s important to see Dr. Howie immediately if your child is experiencing:
- Continued toothache
- Cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek (apply firm but gentle pressure to area with sterilized cloth until you reach medical care)
- Broken tooth
- Knocked out permanent tooth (try to keep reinserted, or in a cup of milk or water until medical care is reached)
- Knocked out baby tooth (Do not try to reinsert!)
- Cold sores or canker sores
See our emergency info page for more on what to do in these situations.
Oral Hygiene Instruction
The first step to having clean teeth starts at home. Here are some routines you can follow to keep your children’s smiles happy and healthy.
- Giving your infant’s gums a thorough clean after each meal
- Teaching children at the age of 3 how to properly brush and the importance of doing so
- Regular visits to Dr. Howie
See our dental health page to get a head start on your child’s oral hygiene.
Dr. Howard Kotkin’s Goal
Our primary goal for your children’s dental development is to achieve and maintain optimum oral health through advances in techniques, technologies and by maintaining their scheduled dental exams.