About Pediatric Dentistry

Why See a Pediatric Dentist?

In the same way that pediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, pediatric dentists are specifically trained to address your child’s oral health. In addition to 4 years of college and 4 years of dental school, both of our dentists at Children’s Dentistry of Westerly & Wakefield, Dr. Anna Capalbo and Dr. Matthew Downey, have undergone an additional 2 years of specialty residency training and have maintained Diplomate status with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. This extensive training equips them to deal with a multitude of medical and behavioral aspects, and qualifies them to treat special needs patients.

Why Are Baby Teeth Important?

Primary or “baby” teeth are essential to your child’s everyday functions such as eating, speech development and appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow for normal development of the jawbones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into place. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain and abscesses, and the infection can spread to the permanent teeth. Remember, some primary molars are not replaced until age 10-14 years of age.

Tooth Eruption & Timing