Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Columbia

Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Oral habits (such as digit sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about his or her appearance.

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. Some pediatric dentists (including all of ours) practice general dentistry before specializing, giving them a unique perspective. They learn how to deal with the behavioral aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. They also are trained and qualified to treat special needs patients.

We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first haircut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a child (they have radar for these things). We will send you an activity/coloring book before the appointment that will explain everything. Have fun going through it with your child. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you. Click here to see a Youtube video of a real cleaning in our office!

Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand-in-hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.

We accept most dental PPO plans and have flexible financing options available.

Dental emergencies can be distressing and worrisome. Knowing what types of injuries can help to avoid unnecessary emergency room visits. Dental emergencies can include facial trauma that damages the structure of the teeth or jaw, loss of a permanent tooth, severe tooth pain, or signs of infection. Our teams are available day or night to assist our patients needs. We have pediatric dentists and staff on call to better serve all existing patients during a time of emergency while the office is closed.

Different children have different dental needs. If you have a special needs child, we offer unique care for unique kids. Whether the concern is anxiety or emotional distress, physical disability, or special problems that require dental attention, such as cleft palate, our pediatric dentists have the ability to provide special needs dental treatment at our offices and the hospital, providing the flexibility that special needs children need from their dental care.