Pediatric Service

Pediatric Dentistry in Alameda, CA

From your baby's first tooth to your teenager's last checkup, our Alameda office has provided trusted pediatric dental care since 1971. Request an appointment today.

Why Pediatric Dentistry Matters

The Everyday Care Behind Every Healthy Smile

Your child's teeth need the same consistent care as yours, just from a team trained specifically for kids. Our board-certified pediatric dentists provide the exams, cleanings, and preventive care that catch problems while they're still simple to treat, building the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Why Early Visits Matter

Starting dental visits early, often around your child's first tooth or first birthday, lets us catch small issues while they're easy to address and helps your child build comfort with the dentist from the start.

Training Built Just for Kids

A pediatric dentist completes years of additional training beyond dental school, focused entirely on how children's teeth, jaws, and behavior develop. That means your child is treated by someone who understands kids specifically, not general dentistry adapted for a smaller patient.

One Team for Every Need

From your baby's first exam to fillings, crowns, and extractions, our pediatric dentists handle it all in one place. You won't be sent elsewhere for the everyday care your child needs most.

Comfortable, Modern Care

We use mercury-free, tooth-colored fillings and white crowns, so treatment blends in and feels less intimidating. When a child needs extra support to get through a visit, we offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and general anesthesia, both in-office and at Kaiser Oakland and Children's Hospital Oakland.

Financial Information

Let's Talk About the Financial Side

We'll help you make sense of your insurance benefits so there are no surprises. Because every plan is different, we encourage families to check with their provider ahead of time. Your estimated patient portion is due at the time of service.

See Membership Plan

What We Offer, From First Tooth to Last Checkup

Early Infant Oral Care

A gentle first exam and guidance to get your baby's smile off to a strong start.

Periodic Exams & Cleanings

Routine checkups that catch small issues while they're still simple to treat.

Brushing & Flossing Lessons

Simple habits that make the biggest difference between visits.

Fluoride Treatments

Including Silver Diamine Fluoride, strengthening enamel and stopping early decay in its tracks.

Sealants

A protective layer for the molars where cavities like to start.

Digital X-Rays

Low-radiation imaging, taken only when it's genuinely helpful.

Mercury-Free White Fillings

Repairs that blend right in with your child's smile.

Crowns

Including white Sprig crowns, extra support for teeth that need it without a metallic look.

Tooth Extractions

Always our last option, handled gently when a tooth can't be saved.

Special Needs Dental Care

Accommodations built around what helps your child feel comfortable.

Sedation Dentistry

Comfort options, including laughing gas and general anesthesia, for kids who need extra support.

Do Baby Teeth Really Need Treatment?

It's a fair question. Baby teeth fall out anyway, so a cavity in one can feel like it doesn't matter much. In practice, it matters quite a bit. Treating a baby tooth isn't about the tooth itself. It's about protecting everything that depends on it.

Baby teeth hold the space for your child's adult teeth, so losing one too early can cause crowding down the road
Decay left untreated can spread to the nerve, causing pain or infection
Baby teeth support chewing and speech development at exactly the age those skills are forming
A cavity that's ignored is often a bigger, more involved procedure later than it would have been if treated early

What to Watch for Between Visits

You know your child better than a twice-a-year exam ever could, and a few things are worth a call to our office if you notice them at home. None of these mean something is seriously wrong. They're simply worth mentioning at your child's next visit, or sooner if something changes quickly.

White or brown spots on the teeth, which can be an early sign of decay
Complaints of pain or sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweets
Swollen, bleeding, or dark gums
Grinding or clenching at night
Snoring, mouth breathing, or restless sleep
Thumb sucking or pacifier use that continues past age 3 or 4

What to Expect at a Pediatric Dental Visit

Check-In and Getting Settled

You'll be greeted right away, and we'll take a few minutes to review your child's history and hear about anything you're noticing at home, from a new complaint of tooth pain to a habit you're not sure is worth worrying about.

The Exam

Our pediatric dentist checks your child's teeth, gums, bite, and jaw development, and looks for early signs of decay, crowding, or habits like thumb sucking or grinding that are worth tracking over time.

Digital X-Rays, When They're Helpful

We only take X-rays when they'll genuinely add to what we can see. When they're needed, digital X-rays use very low radiation and let us check between teeth and below the gumline, areas a visual exam can't reach.

Cleaning and Recommendations

A cleaning removes plaque and buildup a toothbrush can't fully reach, often finished with a fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel. If we find anything worth addressing, we'll explain exactly what we're seeing, why it matters, and what we recommend before any treatment begins.

Before You Leave

We'll schedule your child's next recall visit and answer any questions you have about home care, from brushing technique to diet and habits.

Why Alameda Pediatric Dentistry

A Few Things We Think You Should Know

Here Since 1971

One of the Bay Area's longest-serving pediatric dental practices, with families now bringing in their own kids.

The Only Practice of Our Kind

The Bay Area's only office pairing on-site wisdom teeth extractions with orthodontics and a fully equipped sedation center, all under one roof.

Hospital Privileges

Credentialed at UCSF Benioff and Kaiser Oakland. When your child needs hospital-based care, you won't be handed off to someone new.

The APD Membership Plan

No insurance? Our plan covers cleanings, exams, and routine X-rays, plus 20% off other procedures. No deductibles or waiting periods.

Plans start at $30/month

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What age should my child start seeing a pediatric dentist?

Most children benefit from their first dental visit around their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits let us catch small issues early and help your child grow comfortable with the dentist.

What makes a pediatric dentist different from a general dentist?

Pediatric dentists complete additional years of training focused specifically on children's dental, behavioral, and developmental needs. That training shapes everything from how we explain treatment to how we manage a nervous first visit.

How often should my child have a dental exam and cleaning?

Most children do best with a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Some situations call for more frequent visits, and we'll let you know if that applies to your child.

What is Silver Diamine Fluoride, and when is it used?

Silver Diamine Fluoride is a liquid treatment that can stop early tooth decay from progressing without drilling or numbing. It's especially useful for very young children or cavities that are still in an early stage.

Are your fillings mercury-free?

Yes. We use mercury-free, tooth-colored fillings for all restorative work.

What are dental sealants, and does my child need them?

Sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your child's molars, where cavities most often start. We'll let you know if your child is a good candidate during their exam.

Will my child need X-rays, and are they safe?

Digital X-rays use very low radiation and let us see between teeth and below the gumline where we can't see during a visual exam. We only take them when they're genuinely useful for your child's age and dental needs.

What happens if my child needs a filling, crown, or extraction?

Most cavities are treated with a simple filling. If a tooth needs more support, we may recommend a white crown. Extraction is only used when a tooth can't be saved or is affecting the teeth around it, and we'll always explain why before moving forward.

Do you offer sedation options for anxious or young children?

Yes. We offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and general anesthesia, including options at Kaiser Oakland and Children's Hospital Oakland for more complex cases. Visit our Sedation Dentistry page for details on each option.

What if my child has special needs?

We welcome children with a wide range of special needs and offer accommodations built around what helps them feel comfortable. Visit our Special Needs Dentistry page to learn more about how we tailor care.

Connect With Us

We'd Love to Meet Your Family

First visit for your baby or orthodontics for your teenager, we're ready. Request an appointment at any of our four Bay Area locations.

Locations