Temecula Pediatric Dentistry | For Infants, Kids & Teens!

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What People Are Saying

See what others think about Temecula Pediatric Dentistry on Google and Facebook

This office is absolutely amazing! Everything from when we first walked in until the second we left was more than I could have expected. The assistants were very friendly and welcoming. They explained everything as we went and were great with my son. Dr. Smith was the best! He made sure I was 100% comfortable with the treatment plan and explained multiple options for my son’s procedure. He is so patient and understanding when working with children. I was nothing but thrilled with how the appointment went. My son needed an extensive procedure today but we will definitely be back for cleanings and all of our dental needs. Could not be more happy!!

Meghan R.
‍Google Review

I was very pleased with my experience here! Very clean facility. I was impressed with their waiting room for the kids, they had games and movie playing. The staff were very friendly and great with my kids. They were very patient with my kids and didn't rush through anything. I liked that the kids got to pick a movie to watch while getting their teeth cleaned and they got to pick their flavors for toothpaste and such. It made going to the dentist very fun for them. Doctor Smith was very kind and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend this place!

Lindsey A.
Google Review

We have had nothing but the best experiences with Temecula Pediatric Dentristry! Dr. Smith & his entire team made us feel so welcome & wonderfully taken care of in their office. You truly get the best of care from the moment you step through the door to the time you leave. I have an eight year old who has had some extensive work done by Dr. Smith & she gladly goes back to his office because he & his staff have such a wonderful bedside manner. Our family is so fortunate to have found Temecula Pediatric Dentistry! Even my husband who’s in the field says so!

Lane Family
‍Google Review

My son had a bad experience with a previous dentist. With that being said coming here has really helped him. The dentist is patient, kind, knowledgeable, and puts your kids first!!! Just what my son needed.

Fortnite God
Google Review

Dr. Smith and his staff are great. My two sons had check-ups with him last November. My sons were disappointed when we were called back so quickly because they wanted to spend more time in the fun waiting room. Dr. Smith was patient and kind with my tentative two-year-old, and was upfront about some work and costs that were needed with my five-year-old.

Christie B.
‍Google Review

By far the best experience at a dental office I've ever had! Dr. Smith is AMAZING with his patients. My 5-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son both had a cavity filled and they still have no idea they ever got a shot to numb them. Dr. Smith takes his time so that his patients experience minimal discomfort and he has such a calm, yet fun way of relating to my kids. They LOVE going to his office. The environment is so fun and catered to kids. Dr. Smith's staff is always super friendly and sweet as well.

Courtney H.
Google Review

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Dental Emergencies

If your child has suffered a blow to the head, has lost conscienceless, or any other life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or proceed to your nearest emergency room. If your child faces a dental emergency, call us immediately. We are always here to assist when your child’s dental health is at risk. Here are some tips on dealing with urgent dental situations:

What should I do if my child’s baby tooth is knocked out?

Do not try to re-implant the baby tooth. Call our office to make an appointment so that we can check the traumatized area.

What should I do if my child’s PERMANENT tooth is knocked out?

Call Dr. Smith immediately. If possible, replace the tooth in the socket and hold it there with a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in milk; not water. Try not to touch the root of the tooth. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.

What if my child’s space maintainer gets loose

Sometimes the cement that holds space maintainers in place can fail. This is usually caused by sticky candy or biting on something very hard. As soon as it becomes loose, it will need to be removed and then re-cemented if possible. If the space maintainer comes completely out, try to save it and bring it to your appointment.

What if a tooth is chipped or fractured?

Contact Dr. Smith immediately. Quick action can save a tooth, prevent infection, and reduce the need for more dental treatment. Rinse the mouth with water and apply cold compresses to reduce swelling if the lip also was injured. If you can find the broken tooth fragment, place it in cold milk and bring it with you.

What if my child had a severe blow to the head or jaw fracture?

A severe head injury can be life threatening. Please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.

What if my child has a toothache?

Call Dr. Smith and schedule an appointment to be seen. To comfort your child, rinse the mouth with water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medication might ease the symptoms. You may apply a cold compress or ice to the face. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area.

What if my child has a facial swelling?

Please call our office immediately if you notice facial swelling or a swollen cheek. However, if facial swelling approaches the eye or is causing your child to have trouble breathing, this is an emergency and please call 911 or go to the emergency room.

X-rays

We implement safety principles for minimizing radiation exposure and use the most accurate digital imaging equipment.

Download Radiation Chart PDF

Insurance

We DO accept all PPO dental insurances

We DO NOT accept contracted fees with your insurance (Anthem Blue Cross and Ameritas/Principal are the only exceptions)

We choose not to be influenced by the insurance companies so that we can honestly do what’s best for your child.

For All Delta Dental Patients

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0-2 Year Old

Although babies have the beginnings of their first teeth before they are born, teeth don’t erupt until around 6–8 months. Even though your baby doesn’t have teeth, it is still important to take care of your child’s gums. Use a soft gauze pad or cloth to gently wipe baby’s gums after feeding. When you first see a tooth (usually on the bottom gum), you can start brushing the tooth (and subsequent teeth) with a soft baby-sized toothbrush twice a day. Along with the ADA and AAPD, we recommend using a “smear” (size of a piece of rice) of fluoride-containing toothpaste to strengthen and clean the teeth. This very small amount, even if swallowed, is safe for your baby. Once your child is 2 years of age, you can use a “pea-size” amount of fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush. Also, NEVER put your baby to sleep with a bottle or allow them to use a bottle or sippy cup throughout the day. The natural sugar from milk, juice, and even breast milk — if left on the teeth for extended periods — can cause severe tooth decay. To discuss these issues and check your child’s teeth, we would like to see your child after the first tooth erupts and no later than their first birthday.

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3-5 Years Old

Your child should have all 20 primary (baby) teeth around age 3. Studies show that greater than 40% of children will have cavities before kindergarten. To prevent cavities in your children, ensure they stop using the bottle and sippy cup by age 1, use fluoride toothpaste, and don’t eat too many between-meal snacks (especially sticky foods like fruit snacks or candy). The AAPD and pediatricians recommend no more than 4–6oz of juice daily. Ensure your child stops sucking habits (pacifier, thumb, etc.) by age 3 if possible to prevent problems with their bite and facial development. Finally, children may want to brush their own teeth at this stage. It’s a good idea to let them try to brush, and then you brush afterward to ensure all the surfaces are clean. Kids will typically need supervision with brushing until they are 10 years old.

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6-11 Years Old

This is the tooth fairy stage of teeth development, so get your pocketbooks ready! Around age 6, your child will begin to lose primary teeth in the front and gain permanent teeth in the front and back. Once the teeth start to touch (could be around ages 3–5 too), you should floss your child’s teeth (flossers work well). Children typically don’t brush along the gumline or the back teeth, so pay special attention to these problem areas. However, almost 90% of cavities in permanent molars occur in the grooves. Dental sealants are a great way to protect the permanent molars and other teeth at risk of getting decay. They are a white coating that is placed over the grooves of the teeth to prevent plaque and food from getting stuck and causing cavities. During these ages, children become more active with sports, and dental injuries are very common. Ask our team about mouthguards to protect your child’s teeth during sports, especially baseball, basketball and football.

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12-18 Years Old

Around ages 12 or 13, most kids have lost all of their baby teeth and have a full set of permanent teeth. There are 28 permanent teeth (not including the 4 wisdom teeth). Adolescence is a time of increasing self-awareness and independence. Cavities are more common in teens than any other time in their life due to increasing freedom leading to poor diet choices (soda and candy) and a lack of brushing. During this stage, children also may notice if they have crooked teeth or if their teeth are discolored. Talk with our team regarding options for both braces and whitening. Additionally, we take a panoramic X-ray of your child’s jaws to check the development of third molars, and when indicated will refer your child to an oral surgeon for removal. Be sure to let our office know if your child is experiencing pain from their wisdom teeth. Unfortunately, substance abuse may begin during this stage (90% of adult smokers began before age 19), so monitor your child for signs of alcohol or tobacco use. Finally, eating disorders are also common, and in addition to many other serious issues, can damage the teeth. Please talk with our office regarding assistance with any of these common issues of adolescence.

All About Teeth

Healthy Habits

Create a Dental Home by Age One

Starting regular oral care at a young age will lead to healthy oral health habits for life, so take your child to a pediatric dentist by age one, or at the sign of his or her first tooth.

Brush Together

Brushing habits make an impact as kids get older when they choose to implement the habits they learned from mom, dad or their caregiver. Make sure you brush with your child for two minutes, twice a day.

It’s How Often, Not how Much

How much sugar your child eats and drinks throughout the day is a big factor in causing tooth decay. Don’t let your child snack or drink apple juice or orange juice all day. Stick to designated meal times with water in between and limit snacking to no more than three times a day.

Toothaches Can Talk

It is important to not ignore toothaches at any age. This is especially true with young children, as toothaches can be a warning sign for a number of ailments, including cavities or infection, which can be treated and prevented if caught early.

Healthy Teeth and Special Needs

Parents and caregivers of special needs children often have concerns about their child’s tolerance of a dental appointment, but postponing the visit is not the answer. Pediatric dentists have unique expertise and extra training to treat children with special needs. Beyond dental school, pediatric dentists have 2-3 years of specialized training in areas such as addressing anxiety related to dental visits. Talk to your pediatric dentist about best-practice recommendations that can help better meet your child’s specific needs.

Diet & Nutrition

Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. What’s more, a good diet is essential for a child’s growth and development. Almost all foods, including milk or vegetables, have some type of sugar, which can contribute to tooth decay. To help control the amount of sugar your child consumes, always try to read food labels and choose foods and beverages that are low in added sugars. Also, select beverages, such as water, that hydrate and contribute to good nutrition.

In addition to a nutritious diet, snacking habits, bottles and pacifiers also impact your child's oral health. Here are some tips to keep your child's mouth healthy:

Place only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles. Avoid filling the bottle with liquids such as sugar water, juice or soft drinks.

Infants should finish their bedtime and naptime bottles before going to bed.

If your child uses a pacifier, provide one that is clean—don’t dip it in sugar or honey, or put it in your mouth before giving it to the child.

Encourage children to drink from a cup by their first birthday and discourage frequent or prolonged use of sippy cups.

Serve nutritious snacks and limit sweets to mealtimes.

Expecting Moms

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is important to have a dental check-up to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy. Did you know that increased hormones during pregnancy can cause “pregnancy gingivitis?” You might have puffy gums, inflammation, and sensitivity. If not treated, these symptoms can possibly lead to more serious gum disease, which is associated with preterm birth and preeclampsia. Brushing and flossing daily and a teeth cleaning can help reduce complications and keep you and the baby healthy. It’s best to take care of your dental needs before becoming pregnant.

1ST
TRI-
MESTER

If you suffer from morning sickness, make sure to rinse your mouth afterward with water and a teaspoon of baking soda to neutralize the acid. Wait an hour to brush (and use a soft toothbrush) because your enamel is softer from the stomach acid. If you use Tums or chewable antacids, the sugar content can cause cavities, so rinse your mouth afterward. We recommend adding a fluoride rinse to your brushing routine. Fluoride helps protect your tooth enamel from acid. Also, avoid taking any medications not safe for your baby (your provider will give you a list) and discontinue any tooth bleaching products. Quit using alcohol and tobacco products. Quitting smoking is not only healthy for your body and your baby, but secondhand smoke is harmful for children after they’re born as well. Ensure that those in the home quit smoking or don’t smoke around you or your baby.

2ND
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MESTER

During the second trimester, continue to maintain a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables in addition to folic acid, vitamin C, calcium, and vitamin B12—these will help build a healthy baby and healthy teeth. If you have cravings for sugary foods, try to consume them with normal meals and brush afterward to avoid getting cavities. If you have a scheduled dental appointment during this time, let your dentist know so that he or she can take all the necessary precautions for you and your baby. The second trimester is the best time to receive dental care if needed. If you have a toothache or gum problems, don’t delay making an appointment with your dentist.

3RD
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MESTER

Avoid dental treatments during the last six weeks of your pregnancy, mainly due to the discomfort of lying in the dental chair. Schedule a dental appointment for shortly after your baby is born. Studies show that babies can be infected with bacteria from mothers’ saliva before they even get teeth. Babies who get bacteria from mom sooner also tend to get more cavities. So make sure to maintain excellent at-home brushing and flossing. Keeping your mouth clean can lower the amount of cavity-causing bacteria that can be transferred to your baby. You can also chew xylitol-containing gum three times a day.

TEMECULA

Creating Positive Experiences for Little Smiles

About Dr. Smith

Dr. Smith's Credentials

What Should I Expect at the First Visit?

Most children under age 3 will most likely:

Will my child cooperate?

How can I prepare my child beforehand?

Meet Our Staff

What People Are Saying

Our Services

What if My Child Needs Dental Treatment?