Houston, TX dental clinic welcomes early pediatric visits, putting anxious children at ease

Dr. Monti Harpalani and the entire Vivid Dental team understand that anxious patients are made, not born. For this reason, they have made every effort to create a friendly, welcoming environment that children will look forward to visiting!

As a pediatric dental clinic in Houston, TX, Vivid Dental is designed in such a way as to prevent fear of the dentist and to calm young, dentally fearful patients. Dr. Harpalani and his team abide by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines; children should visit the dentist for the first time within six months of a tooth erupting, or by no later than their first birthday. Over the long run, your child won’t remember these early visits. So, they’re all about developing a comfortable routine.

They also serve an important educational purpose; since young children don’t have the motor skills to take care of their mouths themselves, it’s up to the parent or caregiver to do so. The Vivid Dental team demonstrates techniques to properly clean little mouths, even before the first tooth is present. Knowing how to adequately clean the gums helps to keep harmful bacteria in check. Destructive bacteria are also responsible for early childhood caries or early decay. Baby teeth matter, as they serve as placeholders for adult teeth. They help to guide permanent teeth into their appropriate positions.  Dr. Harpalani and the team also show you other problems to watch for, which can be signs that your child’s teeth are not developing as they should be, including:

• The appearance of a dull, white band along the gumline where the teeth and the gums meet
• Splotches of brown discoloration on the teeth
• Gums that are redder than usual, or swollen
• Black holes on the chewing surfaces of the teeth
• Mouth-breathing
• Persistent grinding and clenching of the teeth
• Difficulty chewing food
• Biting the cheeks or roof of the mouth, as well as sores inside the mouth

The above signs can be indicative of tooth decay or problems with the development of the teeth and jaws, which can result in the need for extensive restorative work or braces and other orthodontic appliances. It’s important to limit the amount of sugary juices and other drinks that your child consumes, and to monitor for habits that can affect development, such as prolonged or aggressive thumb-sucking.

We also welcome children who may have had negative experiences at other health care offices. We know that not every child gets dental care from the get-go, or that negative experiences early on may result in infrequent visits later. So, we offer many tools, including safe sedation with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), to help put your child at ease. Call 281-809-4902 to schedule your child’s appointment at Vivid Dental in Houston, TX.