We believe that a comfortable and positive experience leads to a life time of great oral health and self confidence.
First Visit
Our office, as well as the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) all recommend establishing a “Dental Home” for your child by one year of age. Children who have a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
The Dental Home is intended to provide a place other than the Emergency Room for parents for unexpected dental and oral needs.
We strive to make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. If old enough, your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their staff will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less prep before the visit, the better.
It is best if you refrain from using words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear, such as “needle”, “shot”, “pull”, “drill” or “hurt”. The office makes a practice of using words that convey the same message, but are pleasant and non-frightening to the child.
During your child’s first visit, we record medical and dental history. We then will review the importance of maintaining good dental health. A full examination and a cleaning is usually completed. All questions and concerns are discussed.
We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!
Use the link below to download and print a form to bring to our office.
Dental Services
At Gleam Pediatric Dentistry we offer a variety of services to care for your child’s teeth, mouth and oral health.
Our dentists and staff have received extensive training in Pediatric Dentistry. We know and understand how children think, so we can start them off right. We want them to believe the dentist’s office is a good place to visit. We take our time with all of our patients so that each child has an enjoyable visit.
Our dentists and entire staff understand the importance of good oral health for young children. We have specialized training in primary teeth and are here to help protect and restore children’s teeth so that they can speak and eat easily and have a wonderful smile. We understand the growth and development of children’s teeth and we can start children off with good oral health habits.
During your child’s appointment we monitor your child’s mouth so that we can catch any potential problems early. We also go over the care that you need to be providing at home and look for changes that can be made to improve the experience as well. If needed, we will work with your child’s pediatrician to address any issues we find.
Dental Services We Provide:
Before you know it, the newborn you just brought home will be celebrating their first birthday! Between feedings, naps, diaper changes, and the throng of visitors checking in, your brain is likely on overload. A visit to the dentist may not be on your radar yet, but it should be!! The team at Gleam Pediatric Dentistry follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to protect the littlest smiles from turning to frowns. As a general rule of thumb, infants should either visit the dentist within six months of cutting their first tooth or by the time they turn one-year-old.
Start Early with Infant Dental Care
Books, videos, and role-playing games are your friends when it comes to preparing for your child’s dental appointments. It is important for infants and children to hear the big people in their lives talking positively about the dentist. When visits to the dentist happen on a regular basis beginning in infancy, it is just another familiar place by the time they get a mouthful of teeth. Parents and guardians can help make the first visit smoother by taking care of the paperwork ahead of time. Our website has a new patient form that can be downloaded and filled out before your appointment so you can focus on your little one. It’s a good idea to create a list of questions you have about infant oral and dental care ahead of time, so they can be answered at the time of the visit.
What to Expect During the First Visit
For safety’s sake, you will likely sit in the dental chair with your child. Whether it is because they are unable to sit on their own or they need emotional support, this is how we make the visit the most productive. The dentist will look at how many teeth have erupted, the health of those teeth and gums, and the bone structure of the infant’s mouth. Like with most health-related issues, the sooner you catch dental problems, the easier it usually is to correct them. Wiggling and tears are normal during new experiences. Our dental team understands and is committed to making infant dental care a positive experience for all.
Tips for Success
Pick an appointment time that works around naptime, so your child is not tired. Tired infants and toddlers are not usually receptive to new experiences. We usually recommend younger patients be seen in the morning.
Model the behavior you would like to see in your child. Happy, calm adults help reassure children that a dentist office is a good place. Remember, we are on the same team
Why is it important for infants and toddlers to visit the dentist so early?
As soon as teeth break the surface, they are susceptible to cavities. Prevention goes a long way in protecting your child’s smile for years to come. Our dentists are here for you. Call Gleam Pediatric Dentistry to schedule an appointment!
Dr. Nudelman is part of the Saint Peters University Hospital Cranio-facial team. A variety of dental problems can be associated with a cleft lip, gum, and palate. Dr. Nudelman is a member of a larger team that evaluates the best treatment options for your child. The position, size, shape, and even number of teeth may be affected. Clefting tends to impact the teeth in the area of the cleft more dramatically than in the rest of the mouth, therefore early diagnosis and care are recommended for a better outcome.
Oral Hygiene
Prevent tooth decay and gum disease with good brushing and flossing habits. Make sure you brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day and floss once. Visit the dentist for regularly scheduled cleanings and check-ups. Your child’s schedule may be unique due to missing, malformed, or malpositioned teeth. It is wise to choose a dentist who has experience treating children with cleft lips/palates.
What about orthodontic care?
Because each child is different, check-up schedules will vary. Children with cleft lips and/or palates may be evaluated before any teeth erupt. This gives the dentist and orthodontist a baseline assessment so they can see how the jaw and teeth grow and develop. Once teeth erupt, it is possible for the care team to make short and long-term goals.
Pediatric dental treatment in a hospital setting is a very special service we provide for both young patients as well as patients with special needs. We may recommend hospital dental treatment for children who require an extensive amount of dentistry due to early childhood caries. We may also recommend hospital dental treatment to provide necessary treatment for patients with special needs who are not at ease, or physically unable to have the needed work performed in the dental office.
All of the dental procedures, including x-rays, can be performed while the patient is under general anesthesia. A Pediatric Anesthesiologist is constantly monitoring the patient throughout the duration of the procedure. The dental treatment is completed in a hospital setting in a fully equipped operating room and the patient recovers in a fully staffed recovery room and goes home the same day. These steps are take to protect the patient in all phases of the procedures.
Dr. Jason Nudelman is board certified and the Chief of Pediatric Dental Surgery at Saint Peters University Hospital. Dr. Jena Barry is board certified and a surgeon at the hospital as well. Both Dr. Nudelman and Dr. Barry have the capability of performing all pediatric dental procedures at the hospital while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Pediatric dental treatment in a hospital setting is a coordinated team effort and our goal at Gleam Pediatric Dentistry is to ensure all children receive the best possible dental care.
A child with special needs may include a mental, physical, or an emotional disability. It is our commitment to provide the best dental care for all children regardless of their developmental or other special health care needs. Every child is special at Gleam Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff has extensive training and experience working with children with special needs. We encourage you to discuss how we can help your child feel more comfortable at his/her dental visit.
We are here for you, especially during emergencies!!!
It is very important to be prepared in case your child has an emergency. Even though we wish that they wouldn’t, emergencies do happen. Being educated and knowing what to do in an emergency can be the difference between losing and saving a tooth. You also need to know your dentist’s phone number.
You need to contact us right away if you are having an emergency! If we are not open, go to the nearest emergency center.
If your child loses a permanent tooth, it is important to keep it wet until you get to the dentist. If possible, place it back into the socket. If that is too painful, have your child keep it between his or her cheek and gums or place it in milk to try to save it. Please do not put the tooth in your child’s mouth if you are concerned that he or she might swallow it.
In the case of a cracked tooth or bitten tongue or lip, always have your child rinse out his or her mouth with warm water. A warm compress will help reduce swelling. If your child has something stuck in his or her teeth, gently use floss to get it out. You shouldn’t try to remove it with something sharp.
Children should always wear a mouthguard during sports and other physical activities to protect their teeth. They should avoid chewing hard food like hard candy, ice, and popcorn kernels. These foods can break teeth. Both children and adults should use scissors instead of their teeth to cut or tear things.
If you have a dental emergency, contact Gleam Pediatric Dentistry immediately.
If you have any questions or would like your children seen, don’t hesitate to contact us at (856) 291-6888.
My Visit to the Dentist
A personalized child’s coloring book to help your
child look forward to their first dental visit.