Dr. Jeffrey Bellisario and Dr. David Robbins provide family dentistry services to their patients in Ardmore, PA. Family dentistry provides general dental services to patients of all ages. Our dental office works to accommodate families so they can receive the routine dental care they need.
Many families have busy schedules filled with work and after-school activities. Call our dental office, and we will help you and your children receive dental cleanings, x-rays, and all the treatment you need to maintain your smile.
Pediatric Dental Visits
Before baby teeth even erupt, parents can clean their child’s gums with a damp cloth to remove food debris. When the teeth come in, patients should use an infant toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to brush the primary teeth.
We recommend that parents bring their children for their first dental visit after their first birthday or six months after their first tooth erupts. Before this appointment, emphasize the excitement of visiting the dentist for the first time. You can even “play dentist” and brush their teeth and gums. This role play will help them prepare for their appointment.
At your child’s first visit, our friendly team will examine their smile and clean their teeth and gums. Making your child’s first visit a fun experience is our goal. Our friendly office staff and dental team want every patient to feel comfortable and welcome when they visit our office.
Dental Sealants and Flouride
We recommend dental sealants and fluoride treatment for slightly older children at routine dental visits. Dental sealants are coatings that we apply to the back molars. They help “seal out” tooth decay. We apply sealants to the molars because they are difficult to clean. Many younger patients can develop cavities in hard-to-reach areas of the smiles.
For fluoride treatment, we paint a highly concentrated fluoride varnish onto the teeth and ask patients to refrain from brushing or eating for 4 to 6 hours. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and protects teeth from decay-causing bacteria.
How to Treat Aging Smiles
Our smiles change over time. As we age, we can experience changes in tooth alignment and brightness. Certain medical conditions or accidents may also lead to tooth loss or decay. However, our cosmetic and restorative dentistry treatments can help. We offer Zoom! and KöR teeth whitening treatments to erase years of stains from the smile.
We recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding treatment for patients with tooth damage or single-stained teeth. Both of these treatments cover imperfections in the smile for a brighter and more uniform look.
Dental implants, bridges, and dentures can replace one or more lost permanent teeth. We often recommend implants to secure missing teeth restorations for longer-lasting and aesthetically pleasing results.
Family Dentistry FAQs
Read answers to common questions about family dentistry in Ardmore, PA:
What can I do if my child is afraid of the dentist?
If your child is afraid of the dentist, there are several steps you can take to help them feel more comfortable. First, talk to your child about the dentist in a positive way. Explain that the dentist helps keep their teeth healthy and strong. Avoid using scary words or sharing any negative experiences you might have had.
During the appointment, stay calm and supportive. Your child will pick up on your emotions, so if you’re relaxed, they’re more likely to be too. Some dentists allow parents to stay in the room, which can comfort younger kids.
Also consider small rewards like a sticker or a fun activity after the visit. Over time, as your child gets used to the dentist, their fear should lessen.
Why are the baby teeth important?
Baby teeth help your child chew food, speak clearly, and smile with confidence. These teeth also save space in the mouth for adult teeth to grow in the right place.
If baby teeth get cavities or fall out too early, it can cause problems. The adult teeth might come in crooked or crowded. That’s why you should brush baby teeth every day, visit the dentist regularly, and treat any dental problems early. Taking care of baby teeth sets the stage for a healthy smile in the future.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth?
If your child knocks out a tooth, stay calm and act quickly. First, check if it’s a baby tooth or a permanent (adult) tooth. Don’t try to put it back in if it’s a baby tooth. Call us to see if your child needs to come in. Most of the time, baby teeth are not put back because doing so can harm the adult teeth growing underneath.
If it’s a permanent tooth gently pick it up by the top part (not the root). Rinse it with water if it’s dirty, but don’t scrub it. Try to put it back in the socket right away. If you can’t, place the tooth in a cup of your child’s saliva to keep it moist.
How can I stop my child from sucking their thumbs?
To help your child stop sucking their thumb, start by staying calm and positive. Thumb sucking is normal for young kids, but if it continues past age 4 or 5, it can affect how their teeth grow.
First, give gentle reminders. Don’t yell or punish your child. Just calmly remind them to stop when you see it happening. You can also try to find the cause. Some kids suck their thumb when they’re tired, bored, or anxious. Try to comfort them in other ways, like giving them a favorite toy or spending time together.
Celebrate small wins. You can make a sticker chart or offer a small reward for each day they go without thumb sucking. If your child continues to suck their thumb, contact us for advice.
How can my child’s diet affect their oral health?
Your child’s diet plays a big role in their oral health because the foods and drinks they consume can either help or harm their teeth. We don’t recommend too many sugary, sticky, or starchy foods.
Sugary snacks and drinks (like candy, soda, and juice) feed the bacteria in the mouth, which produce acid. This acid wears down tooth enamel and can lead to cavities. Sticky foods (like gummies or dried fruit) cling to teeth longer, giving bacteria more time to damage them. Starchy foods (like chips or crackers) can get stuck in teeth and break down into sugars, increasing cavity risk.
When can my child brush their teeth on their own?
Most kids can start brushing their teeth on their own around age 6 or 7, but they’ll still need some supervision until about age 8 or 10 to make sure they’re doing it correctly. Before this age, most children don’t have the hand coordination to brush every part of their teeth well. They might miss spots, brush too hard, or not brush long enough.
Let your child brush first, then check their work and help clean any missed areas. Show them small, gentle circles on all surfaces of the teeth, including the gums. You can also use a 2-minute sand timer or a fun brushing app so they brush long enough.
When should my child start using fluoride toothpaste?
Your child should start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth comes in. Use only a tiny smear, about the size of a grain of rice, until they are about 3 years old. After age 3, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Fluoride helps make teeth stronger and protects them from cavities. Just make sure to help your child brush and teach them not to swallow the toothpaste. Keep brushing with them until they can do it well on their own
How do dentists help children feel comfortable during visits?
As your family dentist in Ardmore, PA, Dr. Bellisario helps children feel comfortable by creating a friendly and welcoming environment. He’ll explain each step simply so kids know what to expect.
Our dentists speak gently, give lots of encouragement, and may even offer small rewards like stickers after the visit. We want to make dental visits easy and positive, so children feel safe and happy coming back.
Call Our Family Dental Office
Call (610) 839-8967 to contact Dr. Bellisario or Dr. Robbins today for family dentistry services in Ardmore, PA. You can also request an appointment on our website.
Do you have questions about caring for your child’s smile or current concerns that you would like to discuss with our dentists? Let us know, and we will be happy to help.