Hi, I'm Dr. Jodi Guttenberg, a pediatric dentist, and I'm here today to talk to you about why you should choose a pediatric dentist for your child.

Why take your child to a pediatric dentist? What makes us different from the general practitioner or family dentist? These are questions you may ask when deciding where to seek dental care for your child.

Pediatric dentists are specialists who complete additional training after dental school. We focus on dental health and how it affects overall well-being. We evaluate a child’s diet, habits and growth, as well as treat cavities and provide comprehensive oral care.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as the Academy of Pediatrics, now recommend a child's first dental visit at the age of 1 year. At this young age, we assess growth and development, diet, oral hygiene techniques and fluoride supplementation. Practicing and teaching prevention is an important goal of pediatric dentists. Parents of young children need to actively participate in their oral care because their influence and guidance has a tremendous impact on a child's dental health throughout their childhood and beyond.

In cases where a child has cavities, pain or other dental problems, we provide the appropriate treatment. Maintaining healthy baby teeth is important because molars may remain in the mouth until a child is 12 or even 13. All procedures are explained in child-friendly terms. We always welcome parents into the treatment room for your child's comfort. Various types of sedation are available for the most apprehensive children. We also provide dental care for special needs patients, with an expertise in autism. Treatment is always individualized and there is no child we cannot treat.