Children's Dentistry

Dr. Caldwell believes a trip to the dentist should be fun and not something to fear.

A little boy with a curly hair wearing a white shirt showing his white teeth.
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A little boy with a curly hair wearing a white shirt showing his white teeth.

Dr. Caldwell and his team love caring for their younger patients and work hard to make sure each child is spoken to gently, treated with respect, and cared for as if they were our own. 

We show kids that dental care is as fun as it is important.  We use simple words to explain procedures to them and make sure each parent or guardian is aware of the process. 

You can be sure we provide quality dental care for your young ones and prepare them for a lifetime of smiles!

Kid's Dental Services

Gentle and safe procedures for your little ones.

Click on each image to learn more.

Comprehensive Exams

Preventative care is one of the simplest and most important ways to make sure your child’s teeth grow strong and healthy. 

Giving them the proper tools and teaching them the right way to brush when they are young lays the groundwork to create healthy habits they will carry with them into adulthood.

During a checkup, your child’s hygienist will clean their teeth and, if necessary, take x-rays and give your child fluoride treatment. Dr. Caldwell will perform an exam and review if any treatment is needed.

Most children have two cleanings a year, but children with a higher risk of caries may need more frequent visits.

Digital X-rays

Digital x-rays help diagnose cavities while they are tiny, often allowing for less invasive treatment. If they are caught early enough, decay can be stopped with some minor changes to your child’s homecare routine.

Using digital x-rays, Dr. Caldwell can look for teeth that haven’t erupted yet, make sure your child’s jaws and teeth are developing well, and monitor the need for orthodontic treatment in the future.

Today’s digital x-rays expose your child to less radiation than ever before—lead aprons and taking x-rays only when necessary further reduce your child’s exposure.

Fluoride Treatment

Topical fluoride treatments help keep your child’s teeth cavity-free between visits by strengthening their enamel.

Depending on your child’s age, the fluoride may be brushed onto your child’s teeth or put into a foam tray and allowed to sit on their teeth. 

For younger children, a fluoride varnish is brushed onto the teeth. Fluoride varnish hardens when it encounters saliva, forming a solid film that is brushed off later that evening.

Older children usually have a tray loaded with foam fluoride placed in their mouths for a specific amount of time. When the time is up, your child is told not to eat or drink for at least 30 minutes to allow the fluoride to work.

Dr. Caldwell and his hygiene team are happy to answer all your questions about fluoride treatments and treatment options.

Sealants

Sealants help prevent decay by protecting the teeth’ surface, especially the back teeth, where brushing can be more difficult for children. 

They are made of a clear, liquid resin that hardens when a special light is shined on it. This creates a smooth, hard surface that prevents food from settling in the grooves of your child’s back teeth.

Research has shown that sealants can reduce a child’s risk of decay in treated teeth by up to 80%. The CDC has even weighed in, stating that children without dental sealants may be three times more likely to develop decay in the same teeth than children with sealants.

Sealants are sturdy and should last up to ten years but may need replacing sooner, depending on your child’s lifestyle. Avoiding chewing on ice and hard candy can prolong their life and prevent chipping. Dr. Caldwell will monitor your child’s sealants at each visit to make sure they are still intact.

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Even though baby teeth are only around for a few short years, it is still important to keep them healthy because they hold the space for your child’s adult teeth. 

The filling procedure is the same for a child as it is for an adult. Depending on the size of the decayed area, a local anesthetic may be given. If your child has any anxiety, we have some sedation options available to make the process more comfortable.

After all decay is removed, a special gel is used to clean and etch the surface. Once the filling material is in place, it is light cured, polished, and adjusted to make sure it doesn’t interfere with your child’s bite. 

The tooth-colored filling material is much like a natural tooth in texture and is matched to your child’s tooth color. After treatment, it’s essential to maintain a regular home care routine of brushing and flossing twice daily so your child’s restorations stay healthy and prevent any more decay.

Extractions

Sometimes a child’s tooth has too much decay to restore, or they need a tooth or teeth removed to make room for orthodontic treatment. Regardless of the reason, Dr. Caldwell and his team will make sure you and your child are comfortable with the treatment plan.

After applying some local anesthetic, Dr. Caldwell will remove your child’s tooth. If impacted or if it is a complicated removal, he will discuss with you the possibility of providing sedation options.

Once the tooth is removed, Dr. Caldwell will give you post-op instructions and place a small piece of gauze over the extraction site to stop any bleeding and help a clot form. Check and replace the gauze every 20 minutes until bleeding stops.

Your Renton dentist always considers your child’s comfort regardless of the type of treatment they are receiving. He will discuss their unique situation with you to determine the best way to help them receive the treatment they need.

Need a Pediatric Dentist?

Occasionally, Dr. Caldwell may recommend seeing a pediatric specialist to help with more complex cases.

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