East VillageNYC103 St Marks Pl Your child deserves a pediatric dentist!
MidwoodBrooklyn2120 Ocean Ave Your child deserves a pediatric dentist!
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Time to see a Pediatric Dentist! Treat your child to a healthy cavity-free future!
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First visit

Prevention and Early Intervention

Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. The most important reason is to begin a thorough prevention program. Dental problems can begin early. A big concern is Early Childhood Caries (formerly known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing caries). Once a child's diet includes anything besides breast-milk, erupted teeth are at risk for decay. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food easily and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

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FAQs

When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between six and twelve months of age. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.

When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your baby's gums with a clean, damp wash cloth. Baby Orajel tooth and Gum Cleanser is a good product to use instead of toothpaste, because it doesn't contain flouride. Children under the age of 2 are unable to swish and spit, and often swallow the toothpaste. Ingestion of too much toothpaste containing fluoride could cause fluorosis which is discoloration of the enamel of permanent teeth. After the age of 2, a soft-bristled toothbrush can be introduced and you may begin using a small, pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Remember that most small children do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. Parental supervision is strongly recommended.

What causes decay?

Decay is caused by dental plaque, a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down, and cavity (hole) is formed.

How can I prevent tooth decay from nursing or a bottle?

Don't nurse your child to sleep or put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquid. Use only water in the bottle. It's important to remember to start weaning your child from the bottle soon after his or her first birthday. Check with your pediatric dentist to make sure your child

is getting enough fluoride for decay protection. Lastly, learn how to brush and floss your children's teeth.

Should I worry about thumb or finger sucking?

Thumb sucking is a perfectly normal for infants; most stop by age two. If your child doesn't, discourage it after age four. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded, crooked teeth or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb sucking habit.

What is a sealant?

A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (premolars and molars), where decay occurs most often. This sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid.

How can I get my child to brush longer?

This is always a challenge for parents. Children are on schedule of "Speed" - everything is done QUICKLY. We encourage our patients to brush to a favorite tape or the radio - one whole song is an adequate amount of time to brush. Another way to time your child is with a sand timer. The child can watch the sand through the hourglass and know just when he's brushed long enough. Parental supervision and assistance is also strongly encouraged.

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Our Services

dental exam

Periodic Examinations

Because the caries process (cavities) can progress rapidly, it is important for the dentist to perform regular exams on your child. In many situations we can catch a cavity early and repair it much more easily. 


In order to establish the best oral healthcare plan for your child, we will provide a thorough oral evaluation and comprehensive review of your child's diet and brushing habits. Here are just a few of the things we look for at each of our exams.

  • • Oral Hygiene
  • • Dental Growth and Development
  • • Oral Cancer and Other Pathologies
  • • Evaluation of Old Fillings and Other Dental Work
  • • Cavities
  • • Gingivitis and Gum Disease

 

cleanings

Prophylaxis (Teeth Cleaning) and Fluoride Treatment

Once at our clinic your child will receive a thorough cleaning of his/her teeth (also known as a dental prophylaxis). We have special instruments and toothbrushes that allow us to get teeth extra clean and shiny to help your child maintain a healthy and happy smile.

During the cleaning process we will:

  • • Remove Plaque - Plaque is the yellow-white material that builds up on teeth. Because plaque is so sticky, it builds up quickly on the teeth and if left alone, can cause cavities, gum disease and bad breath.
  • • Remove Stubborn Stains - Our toothpaste has special materials in it that allow us to remove superficial stains more effectively than standard toothpaste.
  • • Remove Tartar (calculus) - Calculus is hardened plaque that can build up above and below the gum line. It is difficult to remove and requires special instruments only found at the dental office.
  • • Provide a topical fluoride treatment.
  • • Educate you and your child on proper brushing and flossing techniques.

 

x-rays being taken

X-rays

X-rays are a very important component of a dental exam. They allow us to see areas of the teeth that are not visible to you and me. They also allow us to see how well the permanent teeth are developing before they even come into the mouth and, in some cases; x-rays can detect cysts and tumors in their early stages.  At each exam, we will determine which x-rays, if any, will be required.

Dental x-ray machines are much safer today than ever before. With your child's health and safety in mind, we use a state-of-the-art digital x-ray system that uses very little radiation. To put this into perspective, the amount of radiation your body gets on an airplane ride from the east coast to the west coast is more than the amount you will receive from our dental x-ray machine. When considering the benefits of x-rays compared to the minimal risk involved in their use, it is clear why we take regular diagnostic x-rays.

dental sealants

Sealants

Pits and grooves are normal structures on the chewing surface of teeth that can trap plaque and bacteria that is not easily cleared by brushing or rinsing. Sealants are made of a tough plastic-like material (resin) that adheres to the tooth surface. The sealant is painted onto the pits and grooves to "seal" out the plaque and bacteria to help protect against cavities. Studies have shown greater 50% reduction in the occurrence of new cavities when sealants are used in conjunction with good oral hygiene. Though sealants are usually placed on the permanent first molars, some children may benefit from having them placed on other back teeth as well.

Advantages
• Sealants are a great way to reduce the risk of cavities on the chewing surfaces of teeth. Remember it's always cheaper to prevent than to repair!
• They are white so they blend in well with the tooth color.
Disadvantages
• Sealants are not permanent and will typically last 3-5 years under the best of conditions. In children with poor oral hygiene and certain oral habits, they may wear or chip off earlier.


dental fillings

Fillings

Once bacteria have established themselves in the mouth, they will produce acidic by-products that create holes (cavities) in your teeth. The weakened tooth structure and bacterial infection must be removed to prevent the process from progressing. After removal of the infected tooth structure, we typically use one of the following ADA (American Dental Association) approved materials:

Composite Resin (White Fillings)
Composite is a tough plastic-like material that allows us to keep that bright white smile that we all strive to maintain. It bonds (adheres) to the tooth which means we remove less tooth structure in order to place it so your tooth will remain strong. Furthermore, composite does not contain mercury, which is better for our environment. This is our material of choice in most instances.

dental crown

Crowns

Also known as a "cap", the crown covers the tooth to provide added strength for severely decayed teeth. After removal of the decay, the tooth is shaped to allow the placement of the crown. These crowns differ from adult crowns because they are completed at one appointment. Crowns are very durable because they cover the entire tooth. The complete coverage strengthens and protects the remaining tooth structure. They are the best chance for survival of a tooth that has had a baby root canal. A notable disadvantage is that most crowns for children are silver. At KCDH we are happy to provide you with a tooth-colored option when placing a crown. If esthetics is of concern to you, or your child, please ask about our NuSmile white crowns. If the cavity is large enough to require a crown, the best prognosis will be achieved by placing a crown. Placing a filling on a tooth that has been weakened extensively will likely result in fracture, recurrent decay, and loss of that tooth.


baby root canal

Pulpotomy/Baby Root Canal

This procedure is indicated when the cavity has reached the nerve of the baby tooth. The procedure differs from the typical Adult Root Canal. After accessing the nerve of the tooth, we will remove the infected tissue and place a medicine that helps the remaining nerve tissue heal. Because these procedures are simpler than the adult version, they take very little time to complete.
This procedure will often help in situations where your child has been having dental pain. It is also a great alternative to removing the tooth in certain situations. However, while this procedure carries an 85-90% success rate, there are situations where the nerve is so badly infected by the cavity that it does not respond to this treatment. In these cases, it becomes necessary to remove the tooth and discuss the need for space maintainers.
The only alternative to this treatment is removal of the offending tooth. Because the natural tooth is responsible for keeping space for the permanent tooth we recommend saving it if possible. In cases where extraction is chosen, we will discuss the need for a space maintainer.


bleaching

Bleaching

Our tooth whitening service is targeted at our older teenage patients. We know how important it is for children to develop positive self-esteem and find that some of our patients can benefit from this service.
After a thorough evaluation and discussion of your needs and expectations we will begin by taking impressions and creating plastic trays that are customized to your teeth. You will also be given prescription strength bleaching gel to use in the trays. Dramatic results can be seen in a matter of 4-6 weeks. Another option we offer is using Zoom Bleaching, which can get your teeth whitened within an hour!

Disadvantages
• Tooth whitening is not for everyone.
• Some may develop tooth and/or gum sensitivity. These symptoms usually subside within a few days after stopping.
• Tooth whitening may not be effective with certain types of discoloration.


space maintainer

Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are devices made of metal and acrylic that are designed to hold space for erupting permanent teeth after premature loss of a "baby" tooth. Placing a space maintainer after premature removal of a "baby" tooth will give your child a better chance of avoiding the orthodontic problems associated with premature tooth loss.

Disadvantages
• The device must remain in the mouth until the permanent tooth erupts
• The device may come loose and require replacement/recementation.
• If not kept clean, your child can develop decay around the device.


Extractions

Extractions are the last resort for treatment. We reserve extractions for teeth that have been determined to be non-restorable. At the time of the extraction we will evaluate if a space maintainer will be necessary for your child.


Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide/oxygen (N2O-O2) is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child's fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication. Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated. It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergic. Your child remains fully conscious - keeps all natural reflexes - when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen. He/she will be capable of responding to a question or request. Nitrous oxide/oxygen may also be used in combination with other sedative agents.


General Anesthesia for Dental and Oral Surgery Treatment

General anesthesia is a management technique that uses medications to cause the child to become unconscious and asleep while receiving dental care. With your child's safety of utmost importance to us, we choose to complete all of our general anesthesia proceduresin an operating room under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

The proper candidates for general anesthesia are usually children with severe anxiety, extensive medical problems and/or people with special needs who require extensive dental treatment and cannot tolerate treatment in the dental office under normal circumstances.

Although there is some risk associated with general anesthesia, it is safe when administered by an appropriately trained individual. As mentioned above, we prefer to have our general anesthesia patients treated in an operating room in our ambulatory surgery center or hospital under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Many precautions are taken to provide safety for the child during general anesthesia care. Dr. Kaufman will discuss the benefits and risks involved in general anesthesia if it is recommended for your child.

 

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