Patient Resources

What is Pediatric Dentistry?

Pediatric dentistry is a dental specialty focused exclusively on the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence. Pediatric dentists complete an additional 2–3 years of specialized training beyond dental school, covering child development, behavior guidance, sedation dentistry, and the unique dental needs of growing patients.

Pediatric dentists are specially trained to work with children of all ages, including those with special healthcare needs, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities. Think of us as the pediatricians of dentistry!

What is a Dental Home?

A dental home is the ongoing relationship between a child, their family, and their dentist. Just like a medical home with your pediatrician, a dental home means your child has a trusted dentist who knows their history, tracks their development, and provides consistent, personalized care.

The AAPD recommends establishing a dental home by age 1. Children with a dental home are more likely to receive preventive care, less likely to need emergency treatment, and more likely to grow up with positive attitudes toward dental health. At Cocoon, we want to be your family’s dental home for life.

Should I be worried about my child’s pacifier habit?

Pacifiers and thumb-sucking are completely normal in infancy and early toddlerhood — they satisfy a natural sucking instinct and can even be soothing. Most children stop on their own between ages 2 and 4.

However, prolonged pacifier use or thumb-sucking past age 3–4 can affect the alignment of the teeth and the shape of the jaw. If your child is still using a pacifier at their 3-year visit, we’ll talk through gentle strategies to help them wean. We never shame parents or children — we just guide with kindness.

What is Anticipatory Guidance?

Anticipatory guidance is proactive counseling we provide at every visit — not just addressing what’s happening now, but preparing you for what’s coming next. At each stage of your child’s development, we’ll discuss topics like:

• What to expect as new teeth come in
• How diet affects dental health at this age
• Oral habits like thumb-sucking, bottle-feeding, and sippy cups
• Injury prevention and sports mouth guards
• Signs of cavities and when to call us
• How to make brushing and flossing fun at home

How often should my child see the dentist?

Most children benefit from dental visits every 6 months. These regular checkups allow us to catch cavities early, apply preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants, monitor jaw and bite development, and reinforce good habits at home.

Some children with higher cavity risk or orthodontic concerns may need to come in more frequently. We’ll always recommend what’s right for your individual child.

My child is nervous about the dentist. What can you do to help?

Dental anxiety in children is extremely common — and it’s something we take very seriously at Cocoon. Our entire practice is designed to reduce anxiety: from the friendly, colorful environment, to our tell-show-do approach, to Dr. Shiv’s gentle chairside manner.

We also offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for children who need extra support, and we’re experienced working with children who have sensory sensitivities, autism, ADHD, and other neurodivergent profiles. No child is turned away because of anxiety — we adapt to you.