Restore your child’s smile with specialized treatments

At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry, we have a big goal in mind: the early prevention of tooth decay, cavities, and other oral health issues for our patients. Unfortunately, tooth decay remains the most common chronic childhood disease in America. When treatment is needed, we are here for you and your child every step of the way.

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Most children still have some baby teeth until the age of 12 or 13, meaning that untreated cavities and other problems can lead to pain and infections that negatively impact your child’s health and quality of life for years to come. If their baby teeth have serious decay, permanent teeth can be damaged before they even begin to surface. At your child’s dental visit, if a concern is detected by your pediatric dentist, all treatment options will be discussed with you in detail.

Dental fillings

Dental fillings are needed if your child has a cavity or defect on 1 to 2 surfaces of their tooth. White fillings are an effective treatment for small to moderate-sized cavities or tooth defects. Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry uses only BPA-free filling materials.

Dental crowns

If your child’s tooth is fractured due to trauma, severely decayed, at high risk of developing a second cavity, or has undergone a nerve treatment, a dental crown may be required. Crowns cover, strengthen, and protect what remains of a tooth from further damage while restoring the tooth to its normal size and shape.

Baby tooth nerve treatments
(pulpotomy/pulpectomy)

If a cavity is very deep, it can extend into the nerve of your child’s tooth, causing pain and increasing the risk of secondary infection. Baby root canals, or nerve treatments, help prevent pain and these types of infections from occurring.

Tooth extractions

Tooth extractions can remove teeth that are damaged beyond repair, make room for adult teeth to erupt correctly, or prepare the mouth for orthodontic treatment. Some children may need a space maintainer after the extraction–if so, we’ll explain all your options.

What to expect

At Schenectady Pediatric Dentistry, we do everything in our power to help ensure your child feels comfortable, calm, and secure during dental treatments. In addition to lots of encouragement and praise, we have several methods for managing discomfort and anxiety.

Handling your child’s anxiety

We’ve seen lots of emotions over the years, from children and parents alike. We’re here to listen and help you make the best possible choice for your child–and support you from start to finish.

Compassionate care

Our caring staff and welcoming office environment are designed to make you both feel at ease, especially if your child is anxious about treatment.

The right environment

Most of our patients are treated in our offices, but some treatments may need to be in a hospital setting.

Anesthesia and your child

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a safe and light sedative that relieves anxiety (and may provide some funny moments as well!). If treatment is extensive or your child’s anxiety level is particularly high, Dr. Lindsey Battiste may be able to treat your child in a hospital setting using general anesthesia.

Nitrous oxide/analgesia

Children are aware and can carry on a conversation with us during treatment without feeling pain. Some children even fall asleep.

General anesthesia

An anesthesiologist will administer medications and monitor your child as your pediatric dentist completes their treatment in one sitting—all while your child is peacefully asleep.

At what age should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child's first visit to the dentist should occur by twelve months of age. This visit will enable our pediatric dentists to evaluate your child and discuss proper oral hygiene. Early education and guidance about diet, fluoride, tooth eruption and finger/pacifier habits can help ensure optimal dental health.

How often should my child visit a pediatric dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that most children visit the dentist at least twice a year. Some children need more frequent care and teeth cleanings because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns, or poor oral hygiene. Our pediatric dentists will help determine the best teeth cleaning schedule for your child.

Does your child use a pacifier or suck his/her thumb?

This type of sucking is completely normal for infants and young children. It provides security and relaxation. Most children stop sucking their thumb or pacifier between two and four years of age with no harm to their teeth or jaws. However, children should cease these habits prior to the eruption of their permanent teeth.

What are dental sealants and who can benefit from them?

The chewing surface of children’s teeth is most susceptible to cavities and least benefited from fluoride. Sealants are adhesive coatings that are applied to the tops of teeth and can be very effective in preventing tooth decay. Molars are the most decayed teeth because plaque accumulates in the tiny grooves of the chewing surfaces. Sealants prevent the cavities that fluoride cannot effectively reach.

If my child gets a cavity in a baby tooth, should it still be filled?

Yes! Primary or “baby” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also hold space that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. Pain, infection of the gums and jaw, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth are just a few problems that can happen when baby teeth are neglected.

What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?

Baby bottle tooth decay is a pattern of rapid decay associated with prolonged nursing. It happens when a child goes to sleep while breast-feeding or bottle-feeding. During sleep, the flow of saliva is reduced and the natural self-cleansing action of the mouth is diminished. Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bedtime bottle.

What can parents do to help make dental experiences positive?

If parents have their own fear or anxiety about the dentist, they should not share those with their child. Dentistry has changed over the years, and it is important to allow their child the opportunity to like their dentist and their dental home. Parents can refer to the dentist and team as helpful and as friends. If the parents show they trust the dentist their child will too.

What do you recommend for busy families so they are making good dietary choices on a daily basis?

Diet plays a really important role for the development or risk for cavities. Eliminating chocolate milk or any juice all together is great, but moderation is key. Stay away from the sports drinks like Gatorade, Powerade and even sodas because they have a lot of acid. Mostly importantly stay away from sticky snacks like gummy vitamins, fruit snacks, things that stick in the grooves of your teeth.

Aren't they just baby teeth?

Yes, but most children get their first teeth by age 1 and lose their last baby tooth by age 13. Early care and prevention are crucial. Baby teeth shape the mouth, allow for chewing, appropriate speech, and help guide permanent teeth into the mouth correctly. Cavities are a bacteria that if left untreated can cause significant pain and spread to neighboring teeth, surrounding bone and throughout the body.

A lot of young children like to suck on their fingers, thumbs and pacifiers, can these have adverse affects?

You’re right! Sucking on thumbs, fingers and pacifiers is very normal and actually provides security for the very young child. Most children will stop this habit on their own between the ages of 2 and 4. Our guidelines recommend stopping that habit around 3 years of age to prevent any issues with the developing jaw and the way the teeth are positioned.

What can a parent do to help stop oral sucking habits?

Most children do stop on their own, but some require additional help from their parents or pediatric dentist. For patients with a pacifier habit, the most successful way to stop is to simply take the pacifier away. For thumb/finger habits, we recommend using a rewards calendar. Your pediatric dentist may recommend placing an appliance that does not allow the patient to suck on their thumb or finger.