Children’s Dentistry

Ride Along and Routine Visits

Imagine if your childhood dentist had an in-house movie theatre where you could have watched your favorite shows while waiting for a sibling or parent to finish their appointment? We thought this would have been awesome… so we created one in 2008!

Children are less anxious about routine visits to the dentist when the office has special amenities just for them, and when they make a first visit by age two or three. We encourage parents to bring children along during their dental visits from a young age so they grow comfortable with the sights and sounds. We call these ‘Ride Along Visits.’ Our special Children’s Video Room will allow your child a space of their own if they become bored or fidgety while waiting for you.

Our office regularly cares for children as young as three years old, but if you notice a problem with his or her teeth or gums prior to this age, don’t wait… schedule an appointment immediately.

Your child’s independent checkup at age three will involve a tooth-by-tooth inspection and periodontal exam. Dr. Hagerty will check for proper development, as well as tooth decay or other areas of potential concern. As your child grows, he or she will need regular checkups and hygiene visits to ensure optimal oral health. With baby teeth coming out and permanent teeth forming, their smiles are more difficult to care for than you may think. Our team will teach proper oral homecare techniques for effective brushing and flossing… with your help at first, then on his or her own. And we can often catch and fix trouble spots more easily while the mouth is still growing instead of waiting until it’s completed.

Sealants or fluoride are sometimes recommended by Dr. Hagerty depending on each individual smile:

Sealants protect hard-to-clean back teeth from sugars that cause tooth decay. They are a thin, quick, and easy protective measure to prevent your little one from getting cavities.

Fluoride attracts other minerals to strengthen tooth enamel and ward off cavities. On rare occasions an at-home fluoride supplement may also be needed, depending whether there is fluoride in your community’s water, whether you have well water, or whether you mostly drink bottled water.

In some cases, we may refer your children to a pedodontist, a specialist who handles more complex children’s dentistry.

Let us help your children learn that dental appointments and routine care can be fun and are very important to their overall health. We will partner with you to make the best choices for your child’s unique and precious personality and smile!

Protect your child’s teeth with sealants and we’ll donate 5% to children’s charities.
Click here for details!

Change Your Smile… Change Your Life. Your health AND your confidence result from an exquisite smile. Schedule today to explore the dozens of options for dazzling teeth. Our serene, spa-like office in Lansing serves Grand Ledge, Holt, Okemos, East Lansing, and neighboring communities with unrivaled personal service for life-changing smiles.