Pediatric Dental Care in San Jose

Schedule your child’s first dental visit when the first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. You do not need to wait until your child has a full set of teeth.

An early appointment gives us an opportunity to check developing teeth and gums, discuss feeding and brushing, and answer your questions. It also helps your child become familiar with the dental environment.

For infants and toddlers, the examination may take place with a parent’s help rather than in the dental chair. We adjust the visit to your child’s age and comfort.

If your child is older and has never visited a dentist, you can still start with a positive introduction. There is no need to wait for pain, swelling, or a visible cavity.

Baby teeth help children chew, speak, and hold space for permanent teeth. Although they eventually fall out, untreated cavities can cause pain and infection while those teeth are still needed.

We monitor for early decay and discuss treatment when necessary. We also help parents understand habits that affect cavity risk, including frequent sugary snacks, sweetened drinks, and prolonged exposure to milk or juice during sleep.

The goal is practical prevention that works for your family’s routine.

Some back teeth have deep grooves that are difficult to clean thoroughly. Dental sealants are thin protective coatings placed over these chewing surfaces to help keep food and bacteria out of cavity-prone areas.

Permanent molars often benefit from sealants after they erupt. Recommendations depend on the tooth’s condition and your child’s cavity risk. Sealants are checked at subsequent visits and repaired or replaced when needed.

Professional fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel and protect against decay. We consider your child’s age, cavity history, and fluoride exposure when recommending treatment.

Sealants and fluoride complement daily brushing and healthy eating habits; children still need regular home care and dental visits.

Young children need an adult’s help to clean their teeth effectively. Encourage participation, but continue supervising and assisting until your child can brush thoroughly.

Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste. For children younger than three, use a smear about the size of a grain of rice. From ages three through six, use a pea-sized amount and encourage spitting out the toothpaste.

Begin cleaning between teeth when they touch. We can demonstrate techniques and suggest tools that make brushing and flossing more manageable.

Sometimes a baby tooth is lost earlier than expected because of decay, injury, or another problem. Nearby teeth may move into the gap, reducing room for the permanent tooth that will follow.

A space maintainer is an appliance designed to help preserve that space. Not every early tooth loss requires one. The decision depends on which tooth was lost, your child’s dental development, existing spacing, and how close the replacement tooth is to erupting.

If a space maintainer is recommended, we explain its care requirements and monitor it as the permanent teeth develop.

Children’s dental visits involve more than checking for cavities. Dr. Maxson evaluates how teeth are erupting, how the upper and lower teeth meet, and whether the developing arches appear to have adequate room.

Crowding, crossbites, unusual eruption patterns, and habits such as persistent thumb-sucking may warrant closer attention.

Early evaluation helps determine whether monitoring, treatment, or an orthodontic referral is appropriate. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic checkup no later than age seven—even if the teeth appear straight.

Some children benefit from two-phase orthodontic treatment. Phase One addresses a specific developing problem while a child still has a mixture of baby and permanent teeth. After a period of observation, Phase Two may align the permanent teeth and refine the bite.

Early treatment is selective. Many children can be monitored and treated in one phase later.

For certain narrow upper jaws or crossbites, palatal expansion may be considered to widen the upper arch. Suitability depends on the diagnosis, growth stage, and treatment goals.

Dr. Maxson can discuss findings and help coordinate an appropriate orthodontic evaluation. Expansion does not guarantee that a child will avoid braces or extractions.

Tell us if your child regularly snores, breathes through the mouth, sleeps restlessly, or has observed pauses in breathing during sleep. These concerns deserve attention rather than being dismissed as habits.

Dental visits can help identify signs that warrant further evaluation. However, a dental examination alone cannot diagnose obstructive sleep apnea.

When appropriate, we recommend assessment by your child’s pediatrician, an ear, nose, and throat specialist, or a sleep medicine clinician. Orthodontic or dental treatment may be part of a coordinated plan for selected children, but arch expansion is not a guaranteed treatment for breathing disorders.

A tongue-tie is a restrictive band of tissue under the tongue that may limit movement. If you notice feeding difficulties or have concerns about tongue function, bring them up early.

Evaluation considers how the tongue moves and whether there is a meaningful functional problem. A visible attachment alone does not establish that treatment is needed.

Depending on the concern, assessment may involve a pediatrician, lactation consultant, speech-language pathologist, or another qualified clinician. Not every tongue-tie requires release, and a release should not be presented as a guaranteed solution for speech, sleep, or future dental development.

We use age-appropriate explanations, encouragement, and opportunities for your child to become familiar with what happens during a visit. Tell us about previous dental experiences, sensory sensitivities, or concerns before the appointment.

If your child needs additional support, we discuss suitable approaches and whether referral to a pediatric dental specialist would be helpful. Comfort planning is individualized to your child’s health, age, and treatment needs.