Children's dentistry in Seattle

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child should have their first visit to the dentist by their first birthday. During that appointment, the team will welcome you and your child into our office, making you both feel right at home. Dr. Yoni will answer any questions you may have about your child’s dental health and work with you to develop a positive oral care routine that will set you and your family up for success. Dr. Yoni has years of experience treating children and has an enthusiastic and outgoing demeanor that will make your child’s first visit memorable and exciting.  

Green Leaf Dental also provides special needs dentistry to children and adults. If you'd like to make a special needs appointment, contact us today.

Bringing your child in for routine checkups while they are young is vital to their dental health. Common dental issues and dental anxiety are much less likely if your child is comfortable with the dentist at an early age and is used to visiting the office on a regular basis. Preventive measures such as sealants and fluoride can significantly lower your child's chance of getting cavities. Developing a relationship with your dentist will help set your child on a trajectory toward positive dental health that will last a lifetime.

Dental sealants are a tooth-colored, protective layer that is painted onto your child’s teeth to prevent decay and cavities. Sealants are meant to keep the sugars and acids that cause decay off the surface of teeth, especially the hard-to-clean back molars. If you’re interested in protecting your child’s dental health with sealants, give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Yes, dental x-rays are used conservatively and sparingly so your child will never be exposed to unnecessary radiation. At our office, we use digital x-rays that emit 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays taken on film. 

The amount of radiation your child is exposed to is very small and is less than what is emitted from eating a banana. Protective equipment such as lead aprons is also used to minimize this exposure even further.

X-rays, when used only when necessary as a preventative tool to diagnose and plan restorative treatment, can help us detect oral health problems in your child’s soft tissues and teeth that otherwise would have gone undetected by the naked eye. In this way, x-rays are a useful preventative tool that prevents worsening oral health outcomes that could require invasive treatment.

The most common dental issues that children face include tooth decay, dental trauma, gingivitis, tooth sensitivity, and bad breath. A child’s teeth are thinner than adult teeth so they have a higher risk of developing cavities. 

Active children who run around and play sports can also suffer from oral injuries if they don’t wear a mouthguard. Children often lack the dexterity to thoroughly brush and floss their teeth until they are about 7 years old. 

A lack of a proper oral hygiene routine can lead to plaque buildup which causes gingivitis. As long as this is caught early, it can be reversed through dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing. Your child’s thin tooth enamel may also be the cause of tooth sensitivity. 

It could also be a result of teeth grinding, enamel erosion, cavities, damage, or infection. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be caused by many different things, including eating smelly foods. However, if it’s persistent and chronic, it’s likely a result of poor oral hygiene.