Children’s Dentistry in Chicago
Also Serving Evanston & Skokie
The experienced Chicago dentists of Contos Smile Center believe in strong communities and strong families. Part of that devotion is a commitment to serving every member of your family, including young children who’ve just discovered the joys of chocolate but haven’t quite mastered brushing and flossing.
Getting to know families is one of the great rewards of being a dentist. There’s nothing quite like watching kids progress from teeth-with-gaps grins to the broad, confident smiles of maturity.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
With all of the responsibilities that come with parenting, planning your child’s first visit to the dentist may not be at the top of your list. Amid the whirlwind activities of parenthood — whether it’s myriad trips to the baby store to stock up on swaddlers, toys and teethers, or the many visits to the pediatrician, for everything from growth measurements to ear infections — the dental visit seems like something that can be safely postponed to a later date. In fact, you may actually be surprised that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child see a dentist before the first birthday, or as soon as teeth begin to appear.
At Contos Smile Center, our pediatric dentist in Chicago, IL has the skills and tools to make your child’s first dental visit a positive and educational experience.
What to Expect
During your child’s visit, your friendly Contos Smile Center dentist in Chicago can gently clean the teeth, apply fluoride if appropriate to strengthen the teeth against decay, examine the gums, and check for any emerging problems. The focus will be on the comfort of your child, making sure that his or her first experience in the big chair is memorable — in a good way. Your dentist can also show parents and children the best ways to care for the teeth at home. Learning a daily routine that promotes oral health is a great gift for any young child.
The Importance of Regular Dental Visits
In some cases, an evaluation by the dentist will identify a problem that may affect your child’s development. For example, baby teeth play an important role in ensuring that permanent teeth come in properly. They are also essential as a child learns to speak first words and explore new foods. So when there is decay observed in a baby tooth, it is important to fill the cavity and preserve the tooth. A baby tooth cavity can actually spread to the permanent teeth below, and cause pain and infection of the gums.
It’s a good idea for your child to get in the habit of visiting every six months. As your child gets older, the experienced Chicago family dentists of Contos Smile Center can help monitor plaque build-up, provide more thorough cleanings, and even supply mouth guards to protect the teeth during youth sports.
For more information on children’s dentistry or to schedule an appointment for your little one in our Chicago, IL office, call (773) 973-0531 or email Contos Smile Center today. We welcome patients from Oak Park, Bucktown, and Cicero, IL.
Here are Some “First Visit” Tips:
- Bring your child for a “preview” of our office. We are always available for a visit.
- Read books with them about going to the dentist.
- Review with them what Dr. Contos will be doing at the time of the first visit.
- Speak positively about your own dental experiences.
Tips for Cavity Prevention
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
- Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
- Watch what your child drinks.
- Avoid giving your child sticky foods.
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks.
Our Vision
We are dedicated to providing the highest level of service and quality to our patient community by cultivating strong relationships, communicating thoughtful treatment solutions, and providing an enjoyable atmosphere, we can empower our patients to take ownership of their oral health.
We are committed to researching and offering state-of-the-art dental solutions in order to deliver the most advanced treatment options to our patients.
