Rachelle L. Shaw, D.D.S.

Children & Cavities

Did you know that the average three-year-old has two cavities? Dr. Shaw recommends that children visit her office around their first birthday, and twice a year thereafter.

She will educate you and your child about the causes of tooth decay, the importance of fluoride treatments, and good dental hygiene to prevent decay and tooth loss.

One of the major reasons children have tooth decay is that they sleep with a bottle during the night or at nap time. Please keep in mind: A bottle should not be used as a pacifier, and bottles filled with milk or juice cause rapid and severe dental decay.

Dr. Shaw has your child's smile in mind, and she wants to set the stage for a lifetime of good dental habits.

Coloring Book

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Sealants

Because Dr. Shaw wants your children to keep their bright, healthy smiles, she recommends sealants to protect permanent teeth that begin to come in around age six. Sealants are shaded plastic materials, bonded to the chewing surfaces, to protect against decay. Sealants reduce dental decay by 85%, helping to maintain a lifetime of good dental health.

One-to-One Care

Your child's first visit to our office is as important to us as it is to you. Parents are welcome in the operatory during the child's first visit and all checkups. The first visit includes a thorough examination and a treatment plan is then prepared. We use the technique known as "tell-show-and-do." There is constant informative conversation to eliminate the silent periods that would allow the child to dwell on his or her fears. Our goal is a trusting relationship, so we focus on the child.

Our priority is to create a positive experience for your child while accomplishing the task at hand. The presence of parents in the operatories during restorative treatments (fillings) interferes with our efforts to establish communication and trust with your child. This is especially true with the anxious or fearful child. With parents giving directions from one side, and the dentist on the other side, the child listens to neither. It is easiest for the child when the parents make a positive, quick separation in the waiting room.

Viewing the Tooth Fairy.