Pediatric Dentist - Brick, NJ

Friendly Dental Care for the Whole Family at Princeton Dental!

Princeton Dental in Brick, NJ has been providing pediatric dentistry for over 30 years! Our specialization in family dentistry gives us the privilege of seeing patients from when they're as young as 3 years old and into adulthood. Our young patients feel more comfortable getting cleanings and treatment from the same doctors and hygienists that their mom, dad, brothers and sisters see! When children have the opportunity to see their parents being treated, it helps them feel brave and grown up when it's their time to get in the chair. At Princeton Dental, we also pride ourselves on providing a warm and relaxed atmosphere so that our young patients learn at an early age that going to the dentist can be fun!

Schedule your child's first "Happy Visit" to Princeton Dental

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child’s newly-erupted teeth (emerging at six to 12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

At Princeton Dental, we encourage our young patients to have make a "Happy Visit" to our office in Brick, NJ around the age of 3. A "Happy Visit" introduces young dental patients to the experience of a visit to the dentist. Kids can go for a ride in the chair, drink from the cup, and have their teeth counted! Of course, the visit ends with a prize chosen from our prize drawer! A "Happy Visit" to Princeton Dental will be the beginning to a life-long commitment to creating good hygiene habits, and great oral health!

Getting to know your teeth is fun!

Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit!

When new teeth arrive

Your child’s primary teeth, also know as “baby” teeth, will begin to erupt between the ages of six to 12 months and continue to appear until about age three. During this time, your child’s gums may feel tender and sore. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring. When your child has finished teething, you can expect a total of 20 primary teeth!

Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood. His or her permanent teeth begin erupting at age six and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth — 32, including wisdom teeth.

Adopting healthy oral hygiene habits

As your child’s teeth erupt, be sure to examine them every two weeks, checking for lines and discoloration that may be caused by decay. Remember, sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes his or her teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing twice a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast and at bedtime.

Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush it with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other healthcare professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Preventing tooth decay with regular checkups

Tooth decay is caused by sugars that are left in your mouth. They turn into an acid that can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason: many children and adolescents do not practice regular, good oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular visits to our Brick, NJ dental office help keep tooth decay away.

Your child should visit Princeton Dental every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Along with regular cleanings, we recommend fluoride treatments twice a year to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they “seal” the deep grooves in your child’s teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but they will be monitored at your regular checkups.