The Poppy Experience

We want your child’s dental visit to be an extraordinary memorable experience!

Would you like to come meet us? Book an appointment to meet Dr. Andrea and the Poppy Kids Team!

First visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that every child see a pediatric dentist for an initial oral evaluation by Age 1 or within 6 months from the arrival of their first tooth. Establishing a dental home early will help build life-long habits for a healthy smile!

During your first appointment, you and your child will begin by receiving a tour of Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry. Depending on your child’s specific dental needs, Dr. Andrea will recommend a thorough cleaning, dental radiographs, and fluoride treatment. Your child will receive a dental examination with Dr. Andrea, where she’ll discuss clinical and radiographic findings, offer recommendations for how to best care for your child’s teeth, and answer any questions that you may have. As a practice that emphasizes education and prevention, some topics that will be discussed during your child’s initial cleaning and exam appointment are brushing techniques, flossing, fluoride recommendations and healthy foods.

For optimal clinical care, it is recommended that your child return every 3-6 months for a dental exam and cleaning. This frequency recommendation is tailored to each patients specific dental needs.

Come on back!

Our goal is for each patient to have the happiest dental experience possible. In order to achieve this, we believe that trust and support are the foundations of building a lasting relationship with you and your child. We therefore have an open-door policy and invite you to accompany your child during their appointment, if you choose to join us. Each child is unique and Dr. Andrea would like to take a team approach to dental care. As their parent, we understand that you know your child best and our goal is set them up for success. If you feel your presence will make your child more comfortable during treatment, come on back!

FREE UNDER 3

First visit under age 3 FREE

If your child is under the age of three, we would like to invite you into our office for a complimentary first dentist appointment - no further commitment required!

Illustration of a pair of orange human footprints with round toes, placed side by side depicting a baby feet.

Preventative

Dental cleanings and exams

During your child’s exam, Dr. Andrea will evaluate for cavity risk level, determine presence of dental decay and present treatment options, as indicated. Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry places an emphasis on education and prevention.

Prevention of dental disease includes:

• Prophylaxis (cleanings)

• Fluoride treatments

• Dental Radiographs (X-rays)

• Sealants Dietary Counseling

• Anticipatory Guidance Counseling Growth and Developmental Concerns, including teething, habits (thumb-sucking, pacifier habits)

• Injury Prevention

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF)

As a practice that understands the individual needs of every child, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a minimally invasive dental treatment that has the ability to arrest dental caries, or stop dental decay from progressing further. This treatment is often used as an interim medicament for children who are unable to complete treatment in the traditional dental setting.

For more information about Fluoride please see the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s Guidelines on Fluoride.

Fluoride

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that when used in dentistry has a therapeutic desensitizing affect and when applied topically, has also been used as a proven method to fight dental decay by strengthening tooth enamel. Fluoride is frequently found in over the counter toothpaste to prevent cavities for daily use. In the dental office, a topical fluoride varnish is often recommended once every six months to give teeth an extra strength boost!

Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry uses wonderful fluoride varnish that comes in many great tasting flavors! It is Big 8 allergen free, gluten free, dye free, and made in the USA!

Digital x-rays

One of the most essential tools dentists use for the diagnosis of dental diseases and to evaluate for growth and development is dental radiographs. Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry uses the latest and greatest in digital radiography, also known as digital dental x-rays. Digital x-rays are known to use 90% less radiation then traditional film x-rays, and without using film, they are much more environmentally friendly.

There are two different types of radiographs Dr. Andrea may recommend on your child’s visit:

Intraoral radiographs taken using digital sensors placed inside your child’s mouth and with minimal doses of radiation, to capture different areas of the teeth. These different intraoral X-rays are called bite-wing (BW), periapical (PA) and occlusal (Occl) radiographs depending on the angle and area captured. These radiographs show dentists areas that are not visible clinically, such as in between the teeth or below the gumline at the root/bone level.

Extraoral radiographs taken at Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry are primarily in the form of a 2D panorex digital X-ray. A panorex is a digital radiograph that dentists use to evaluate for growth and development and to aid in the diagnosis of dental diseases and abnormalities. It is taken from the outside of the mouth using a specialized x-ray machine to capture the entire dentition. Traditionally in pediatric dentistry, a panorex is used to answer the question for children ages 7-9, “Does my child need braces?” And in older teens, “Does my child need their wisdom teeth taken out?”

Sealants

Every child and adult have teeth located towards the back of the mouth called molars. Molars are quite groovy, anatomically formed with pits and fissures on the biting surfaces. This surface is called the occlusal surface of the tooth.

The normal primary (baby) tooth dentition has eight baby molars, and the normal adult dentition also has eight permanent molars, not including wisdom teeth. These molars are our main chewing teeth, and as a result, the foods that we eat often get stuck in their pits and grooves; gummies, gold fish, you name it. In many patients, these grooves are deep, plaque traps and are vulnerable to dental decay. Thankfully, we have a preventative treatment called sealants to help prevent cavities in these deep grooves. Sealants consist of flowable resin material that is applied in a thin layer, into those deep grooves and fissures to “seal” off the area and thereby prevent dental decay.

Restorative

White fillings

If a child is diagnosed with dental decay, often a white filling is the recommended treatment to rid the tooth of dental disease and restore its form and function. Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry uses esthetic, BPA-free white fillings for smaller cavities in order to give each patient a beautiful smile. Understand the pros and cons of different dental filling materials with our brief guide, courtesy of the Dental Board of California. From durability to aesthetics, make an informed choice for your oral health.

Crowns

A crown is recommended for teeth where the decay is too large of an area to reliably retain a white filling. In these situations, where the success if a white filling is limited, Dr. Andrea may recommend a crown for your child’s tooth. Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry is happy to offer two different types of crowns, white and silver, to individualize each patients dental needs.

Pulp therapy

If tooth decay progresses even further and reaches the nerve of the baby tooth, pulp therapy may be indicated as a final effort in order to save it. During pulp therapy, a medicament is placed within the root of the tooth that is meant to heal from within. The primary goal of pulp therapy is to allow the tooth the heal so that it may fall out naturally. Depending on the extent of decay, pulp therapy may not be entirely predictable and the tooth in question will be actively monitored over time. Baby teeth are vital to a child’s overall oral health and not only act as means to chew food properly, but also serve as placeholders for their permanent successors. For all treatments, Dr. Andrea will provide an individualized plan for your child to achieve optimal oral health for favorable long term outcomes.

Extractions

Extractions, and losing primary baby teeth, are a natural part of life. Typically, children are born with 20 primary teeth, which starting at approximately age 6, fall out and therefore begin the transition into permanent adult dentition.

Whatever the reason, Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry strives to make each dental appointment, even extractions, a positive one for your child.

Dr. Andrea may recommend the extraction of a primary baby tooth for several reasons:

• If the adult tooth has already entered the mouth and its primary baby tooth counterpart is still present and not mobile.

• If another dentist, such as an orthodontist, recommends that a tooth be extracted to help with the growth, development and alignment of permanent teeth.

• If a child has experienced trauma to a tooth where the recommended treatment would be to extract.

• If a tooth has extensive dental decay with an abscess or infection present.

• If a child is unable to wiggle a baby tooth out and is experiencing discomfort and pain.

Space maintainers

Space maintainers are small intraoral stainless steel appliances that are used to help preserve space after a primary baby molar has been lost prematurely. If the adult permanent tooth is not ready to come into the mouth yet, this appliance will keep the space open until it is time. A space maintainer will help alleviate the potential for crowding in that area as the permanent tooth erupts.

Sedation

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

In dentistry, nitrous oxide, also known as "laughing gas," is a safe and odorless gas used to help children relax during dental procedures. It is a mild sedative delivered through a small mask over the nose to reduce anxiety and discomfort. Dentists can easily control the nitrous oxide level, ensuring a personalized experience. After the procedure, children breathe pure oxygen for 5 minutes and can resume normal activities. This method at available at Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry aims to make dental visits more comfortable, offering disposable masks with enjoyable scents such as bubblegum, strawberry, and grape for kids to choose from.

General Anesthesia (GA)

In the dental office, general anesthesia is a specialized approach used for comprehensive dental care in children. Administered by trained anesthesia providers, it ensures that the child is completely asleep and unaware during the treatment. This approach is traditionally considered for extensive or invasive procedures, providing a safe and comfortable experience for each child. Throughout the procedure, vital signs are closely monitored to guarantee the child's well-being. Once the treatment is finished, the child gradually wakes up, and their recovery is carefully supervised. General anesthesia is particularly helpful for children who may have difficulty cooperating during longer or more involved dental work, or for those with unique healthcare needs. At Poppy Kids Pediatric Dentistry, we are proud to collaborate with Bay Anesthesia, an exceptional local dental anesthesiology team renowned for their expertise and commitment to safety. Dr. Andrea has worked closely with them for years and feels privileged to have them as part of the team.

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