Pediatric Dentistry

Birmingham Pediatric Dentist
Top rated dental care for children of all ages at Greystone Smile Design in the Hoover/Highway 280 area of Birmingham, AL

Dr. Buchanan is a top rated child dentist in Hoover offering the highest level of dental health care for your child.

Emergency-dentist-credentials

A happy and comfortable visit is our goal for each of our pediatric patients and their parents. From our caring dentist to the professional staff you will come to know and trust, we believe that a relaxing and fun environment is essential to establishing a positive attitude toward dental care for a lifetime. We strive to make your visits with us a positive, beneficial, comfortable and pleasant experience.

Only 6% of General Dentists in the USA & Canada have earned their AGD Fellowship.

At Greystone Smile Design, we emphasize prevention and early detection of dental problems through regular checkups and cleanings as well as education on adopting healthy oral hygiene habits. We’re here every step of the way, from infancy through the teenage years, to help your child develop and maintain superior oral health. For any problems that do occur, we offer the latest treatments to get your child on track for a lifetime of beautiful smiles.

“The last several years I have been really impressed and thankful for the care that my family has gotten at Greystone Smile Design. We have four young kids and they have been very kind, patient, and gracious as they have cared for them and for my wife and I. They have earned our trust and we will happily continue to use them for our dental care!”

Brady T.
Patient of Dr. Buchanan
trent-buchanan-pediatric-dentist

Trenton Buchanan DMD FAGD – Birmingham Pediatric Dentist in Hoover

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First Visit Information

A child’s first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

Our office, as well as the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends that your child visit the dentist by his or her first birthday. You can make the first visit to the dentist enjoyable and positive. We believe that a child’s first visit to our dental office should be fun, educational and, most of all, make a positive impression. This approach allows us to provide the highest level of dental health care for your child and spend as much time with you as needed to answer your questions.

Your child should be informed of the visit and told that the dentist and their team will explain all procedures and answer any questions. The less to-do concerning 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.

Video 00:28 | Trenton Buchanan DMD FAGD – Birmingham Pediatric Dentist in Hoover

During your child’s first visit our team will:

Take time listening to your concerns and expectations.
Take x-rays.
Perform a complete examination.
Clean their teeth.
Answer any questions you may have.

Sealants

Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings which are applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay. Most tooth decay in children and adolescents occurs on the chewing surfaces of these back teeth or molars. This is because most molars have irregular surfaces with pits and grooves which tend to trap food and bacterial debris. Sealants flow into and coat these pits and grooves so that bacteria cannot multiply and cause decay.

The teeth most likely to benefit from sealant application are the first and second molars just after they have erupted and before they have had a chance to decay. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 benefit most from sealants.

A sealant application can last for as long as five years and often longer. Sealants should be checked regularly and reapplied when they appear to have worn off. Because teeth are most susceptible to decay when they are young, preventing decay during the first 5 to 14 years after a tooth erupts is critical.

dental-sealants

Illustration showing dental sealant.

Caring for Your Child’s Teeth

When New Teeth Arrive

Your child’s first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or “baby” teeth typically erupt by age 3. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.

Your child’s primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age 6 and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or 32 including wisdom teeth.

Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits

As new teeth erupt, examine them every two weeks for lines and discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and before bedtime. Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby’s tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is preventable. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason – many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth strong.

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(205) 981-7775
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