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Infant and Pediatric Dentistry

Oral health care is important at every age, even before babies get their first tooth. At Young Family Dental, our pediatric dentists provide care for infants and young children to maintain optimal oral health, including preventive care and instruction on building healthy habits that will set them up for good oral hygiene for the rest of their lives.

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children today in the U.S. When children have tooth decay that goes untreated, it can lead to severe pain, tooth and gum infections, and difficulty eating, leading to poor nutrition and potential long-term health consequences. The pain that children experience from tooth decay and infection can also affect their speech development, and make it hard for them to learn and concentrate in school. Studies show that children with cavities and tooth decay miss more school days and have lower grades than children without. They may also suffer from other consequences, such as trouble sleeping because of the pain.

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Dental Care for Children and Infants

The statistics of childhood dental decay are concerning — about 1 in 5 children between ages 5 and 11, and 1 in 7 teenagers between age 12 and 19 have some form of untreated tooth decay. Fortunately, cavities and tooth decay in children and teens can be prevented.

It’s important for parents to understand that you need to take proper care of baby teeth when children are young, even though they will eventually lose those teeth. Untreated dental decay in infants and very young children can lead to early loss of baby teeth, which could leave your child without enough teeth to chew and speak properly for several years. It could also cause their adult teeth to shift or move around before they grow in, leading to significant orthodontic issues as your child gets older.

Some of the most important actions you can take include:

  • Cleaning your baby’s mouth by wiping their gums once in the morning and once at night with a clean, damp cloth to remove bacteria even before they have teeth
  • Brushing your baby’s newly emerged teeth with a small, soft-bristled brush and plain water
  • Brushing children’s teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes each time, with a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste
  • Talking to your dentist about fluoride supplements or fluoride varnishes for children (especially if you do not have fluoride in your drinking water) to strengthen and protect your child’s teeth
  • Getting dental sealants on your child’s teeth to prevent cavities

Parents can also help reduce tooth decay by:

  • Limiting sugary drinks and milk in bottles or sippy cups, especially around bedtime
  • Teaching children to use a sippy cup instead of a bottle around the age of 12-14 months
  • Limiting the amount of sugar in your child’s diet, especially sweet or starchy snacks between meals

Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

Your child’s first visit to a pediatric dentist should be when they turn 1 or when they get their first tooth (whichever happens sooner). During that visit, our pediatric dentist examine your child’s tooth/teeth, gums, bite and oral tissues. After your first visit, your dentist will likely recommend bringing your child back for a preventive checkup every six months. These early visits are generally simple and won’t include a lot of dental care, but they are helpful in building your child’s comfort with going to the dentist so they are not scared as they get older.

Call to schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentists at one of our five convenient locations in Orem, American Fork, Saratoga Springs, Riverton or West Jordan.

  • “These guys are awesome! I had a tooth break on a Friday afternoon and they got me in right away! I’ve since seen 3 different dentists there and have no complaints. The office staff is incredible and friendly. I still am not a huge fan of going to the dentist, but this office has really helped alleviate my fears and dental anxiety. I would recommend them to anyone.”

    Ashleigh Jackson

  • I’ve known Dr. Chris for over 10 years, and my experience with him has been awesome. I got Invisalign with him to straighten my teeth, and it was incredible to have straight teeth! It was great, too, that I was an adult and I didn’t have to walk around with braces like a teenage weirdo. Chris and YFD are excellent, I highly recommend them.

    Johnny Thomas

  • Anne Marie Gross referred me to your office and has had nothing but great things to say about you! I am looking forward to scheduling an appointment soon!

    Rashael Stocking Matthews

  • Deron Gross- when I went to young family dental they treated me very nicely and took great care of me:) appreciate all the work they’ve done:)

    Deron Deron

  • I took both my 8 year old and 3 year old daughters there, and it was great experience from beginning to end. It was the first time for my 3 year old (don’t judge me ?) Jacqueline was great at making it a fun experience for her. Jessica helped take care of my 8 year old who had some infection on a tooth she had worked on a while ago. And the dentist was great too. Overall, everyone was friendly, everything was clean, and at the end I had a credit on my account that I didn’t know was there which was an added bonus.

    Jessica Murdock

  • Young Family Dental Riverton employs the latest technology and procedures. The staff is always friendly and make you feel comfortable.

    Chanel Price

  • Everything they do is on time and as scheduled. They send you reminders for your appointments. They are great. My entire family goes to Young Family Dental Riverton.

    Astony Stino

  • I love young family dental! Their assistants are great and make me feel comfortable which is important to me because I don’t like going to the dentist. The dentists are very informative and make me feel at ease as well. They take extra time and care to make sure you fully understand what is being done and what needs to be done. If you need a check up, a cleaning, or work done stop or call young family in Riverton Utah, they are great!!

    James Ross

  • I love working here.. The dentists, hygienists, and assistants are awesome!!!

    Orchid Lopez-Zamarron


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By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from Young Family Dental. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.