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Pediatric Dentistry

Since opening our doors, serving families has not only been our job, but our pleasure. We extend that joy to caring for kids by offering the services of a pediatric dentist in Michigan. We know our younger patients can be intimidated or even scared coming to see us, which is why we strive to go above and beyond to make children feel comfortable and cared for. We also want to ease the anxiety for parents and caregivers, so we’ll always be by your side, informing and supporting you during every dental appointment and treatment your child has.

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Comprehensive Children’s Dental Services

Here at MCDC, we provide a full spectrum of dental care for the young (and young at heart), because we know that oral hygiene requires a multi-faceted approach. We also know that no two kids are alike. Our broad range of pediatric dental services* gives us the ability to take a person-centered approach, and include:

*Certain services only offered at select locations.

Special Needs Dentistry

We want everyone to have a great, healthy smile. For children with disabilities or special needs, we’ll take the extra time necessary — whether that means longer appointment times or making additional appointments. We’ll also be accommodating and patient, so if you have any specific requests that may make your child’s visit easier or more comfortable, please make them when you schedule your appointment. 

Pediatric Dentistry FAQs

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that a child sees a dentist within six months of the first tooth, but no later than age one.
MCDC is proud to be a participating provider in the Healthy Kids Dental (HKD) program from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. We love helping kids of all ages who have coverage through HKD keep their smiles big and bright.
  • Before the first tooth comes in, clean your baby’s mouth and gums with a soft, wet cloth or infant toothbrush once a day. Before bedtime is the most important time to do this.
  • To help with teething, offer your baby a firm rubber teething ring to chew on.
  • Once their first tooth comes in, brush twice a day with a soft, wet infant toothbrush and a rice-sized amount of toothpaste. Ask your MCDC dentist whether you should use a non-fluoride toothpaste or one that contains fluoride to brush your child’s teeth.
  • When two or more teeth come in next to each other, begin flossing. Your MCDC dentist can show you the right way to floss your child’s teeth.
  • Schedule their first dental appointment no later than age one. After their first appointment, take them to the dentist every six months for a regular cleaning and exam, unless otherwise instructed by your dentist.
  • Stop using a bottle or sippy cup by their first birthday. Switch to a cup with a straw, a cup that has a hole in the lid, or a small open cup.
  • Let your child brush their own teeth with your supervision, but be sure to brush thoroughly after they do. Kids this age still can’t get every surface of their teeth clean. Brush and floss twice a day.
  • Sucking on a thumb, finger, or pacifier past the age of three can cause bite issues and prevent teeth from coming in properly. Most children stop this habit on their own, but if your child is getting close to three and still sucking on things, talk to your MCDC dentist about tips to discourage it.
  • Offer snacks no more than three times a day. Limit sticky foods, like fruit snacks and candy.
  • Avoid giving juice as a drink as much as possible, no more than 6 oz. per day. The sugar in juice is bad for teeth
  • Baby teeth will start to fall out around the age of 6, so decide whether or not the tooth fairy will be visiting.
  • Make sure your child brushes and flosses twice a day, reminding them to get the very back teeth and gum line. Continue to supervise them until the age of seven or eight.
  • If your child plays sports, protect their teeth and mouth with a mouth guard.
  • Avoid carbonated beverages (like pop), sports drinks, and juice pouches. They are high in acid and sugar, which can erode enamel on teeth.
  • Check in to make sure your teen is still brushing and flossing their teeth at least twice a day.
  • If your teen plays sports, be sure to replace their mouth guard as it gets worn out or they outgrow it.
  • Around the age of 13, your child should have lost all of their baby teeth. If your child is older than this and there’s still one or more left, give us a call. We’ll talk through it and suggest next steps.
  • As your teen gains more freedom, they might start to make poor diet choices, like drinking more pop and eating more candy. Talk to them about the consequences of their decisions, like how it’s bad for their teeth, and encourage them to make better choices.
  • If your teen starts to become self-conscious about their smile, ask them to open up to you. Share their concerns with us during their next appointment. We’ll let you and your teen know what we can do to help.