ServicesKids' Dentistry
Kids' Dentistry in Westborough
From the very first baby tooth to the late teen years, we care for children at a pace they can handle. A single person here manages your questions, appointments and insurance, so you know exactly who to call and what comes at the next visit.
Dental care sized for small mouths and short attention spans
A child's teeth are built differently from an adult's. Baby teeth carry a thinner layer of enamel, so decay can travel to the nerve more quickly. They also save room for the permanent teeth growing underneath. When one is lost early, the teeth beside it can shift and leave the adult teeth crowded.
Board certification and over 11 years in practice stand behind the care your child receives here, and that experience shows in how unhurried each visit feels. Appointments stay brief, and every tool is introduced before it goes near a tooth. You are welcome to stay right beside your child.
The person who schedules your first appointment stays with your family from then on. They handle insurance questions, arrange follow-ups and let you know when sealants or the next cleaning come due.
What your child's visit covers
- A first look by age one
- A brief, easygoing check of the earliest teeth, often with your child on your lap. We show you how to brush a few small teeth and talk through bottles, sippy cups and teething.
- Checkups and cleanings
- Every six months we gently polish, floss and examine. We count teeth, watch how new ones are erupting and look for early weak areas in the enamel.
- X-rays with a reason
- Small digital images are taken only when we need to see between teeth or under the gums, never just because the calendar says so.
- Fluoride and sealants
- A fluoride varnish takes a minute and hardens enamel. A sealant is a fine protective layer brushed onto the chewing surfaces of molars, which is where children get the most cavities.
- Minor repairs
- We place tooth-colored fillings for cavities and gently remove baby teeth that are refusing to loosen. The Fillings and Extractions pages describe those appointments more fully.
- Watching the bite grow
- We follow how the jaw and bite develop and let you know, in plain terms, whether and when an orthodontic evaluation is worth it.
When it is time to bring your child in
White or brown patches on teeth
Dull white marks along the gumline are frequently the first stage of decay. Found early, they can sometimes be strengthened with fluoride rather than filled.
Trouble eating
If your child flinches at cold drinks or chews only on one side, a tooth is likely sensitive or a cavity has begun.
A stubborn baby tooth
When a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that is still solid, the baby tooth may need a little help to come out.
Gums that bleed with brushing
This usually means plaque is building along the gums. A cleaning and a few brushing tips often settle it within weeks.
A knocked or chipped tooth
A fall or a hit during sports can bruise the nerve even when the tooth looks fine. If it darkens to gray later, have it checked.
How the appointment goes
- 1
Your call
You tell us your child's age, any worries and your insurance. The person you speak with books the visit and stays your contact from then on.
- 2
Getting comfortable
We greet your child by name and let them sit in the chair, ride it up and down and hold the mirror. Nervous children can take a few minutes before we start.
- 3
Exam and cleaning
We count and clean teeth, explaining each step in simple words. If something needs attention, we show you on the screen or in a mirror.
- 4
A clear plan
Before you leave, you get a written treatment plan with what is needed now, what can wait and how insurance applies. Your contact schedules the next visit so nothing slips.
What shapes the cost of a child's visit
Most visits for children are routine checkups, and many insurance plans cover them generously. We accept most dental insurance plans, and families without coverage can join our Office Dental Plan. When a child needs more involved treatment, the CareCredit Patient Payment Plan lets you pay over time instead of all at once. Whatever the treatment, you see the cost in writing before any work begins.
- The plan you carry
- Plans differ on how they cover cleanings, fluoride and sealants, and many set an age cutoff. We look up your benefits ahead of the appointment so the numbers are known before you arrive.
- Whether images are called for
- A toddler's first checkup often needs no X-rays at all. School-age children whose back teeth sit tightly together may need bitewing images about once a year.
- How much decay we find
- A single shallow cavity is a short appointment. Several cavities, or one that has gone deep toward the nerve, need more chair time and more material.
- Sealants per tooth
- Sealants are charged tooth by tooth, so the total follows how many permanent molars your child has.
Common questions from parents
Something not covered here? (508) 466-0049
How early should my child see a dentist?
Plan on a visit by the first birthday, or about six months after that first tooth shows up. That appointment is mostly talking and a brief look in the mouth. It lets your child meet us on an easy day, long before any treatment is needed.
Will I be with my child during the visit?
Of course. Little ones tend to relax when a parent is close by, and we want you watching along with us. Some older children would rather go solo, and we are happy with that as well.
How do you handle a frightened child?
We take more time. Each instrument gets introduced first, your child can hold it, and we describe things in everyday language. If the visit turns hard, we would rather pause and come back another day than push through.
Do baby teeth get sealants?
Usually sealants go on permanent molars, which arrive around age six and again near age twelve. They close off the deep grooves bristles miss. We will give you a straight answer on whether your child needs them.
Do you treat teenagers?
We do. Teens continue with regular cleanings and exams, and we track wisdom teeth and any shifts in the bite. Older teens who want straighter teeth can ask about Invisalign / Clear Aligners.
Set up your child's checkup
Let us know how old your child is and what is on your mind, and one person here will arrange the appointment and remain your contact afterward. We see families from Westborough, Shrewsbury, Grafton and the surrounding towns.