Frequently Asked Questions

Perhaps the most important way pediatric dentistry differs is that it is dedicated to working with kids. We know how to make dental visits fun and how to prevent your child from being frightened of treatment. It is vital to every staff member at South Jersey Pediatric Dental that your child is comfortable in our office from the very beginning. 

Dr. Brendaliz Bristol-Mártir has also received extensive training in the special knowledge and procedures involved in caring for children. Ensuring your child receives excellent care at the highest standards is her passion. She believes strongly in preventative dental care and in preserving your child’s natural teeth whenever possible. 

Our offices are also designed to appeal to children of all ages so they are as relaxed as possible and enjoy each visit.

Tooth sealants are plastics that are applied to the chewing surfaces of your child’s teeth, usually the back teeth. Sealants help prevent decay by making it harder for bacteria to reach these surfaces. Plaque can also be removed more easily and fully when the teeth have been sealed. 

Sealants can last for three to five years. We will monitor your child’s teeth after sealants have been applied so we can advise you on when they may need to be reapplied. 

A frenum connects two types of soft tissue in your child’s mouth. Frenums attach the tongue to the bottom of the mouth and also, the lips to the gums. When the attachment is too tight, gaps between your child’s teeth may develop or your child may be unable to use their tongue or lips normally. When the frenum between the lip and gums is too restrictive, it’s called lip-tie. It’s called tongue-tie when the frenum under the tongue restricts the tongue’s movement. 

A frenectomy can be performed with minimal discomfort to your child using a laser.  In this procedure, the frenum is reduced in size. This procedure frees up the movement of your child’s tongue or lips. Some babies need a frenectomy as early as possible so they can nurse normally.

Your child should start seeing Dr. Bristol-Mártir as soon as their baby teeth start growing in. By getting regular examinations and cleanings at a very young age, they get an excellent introduction to a lifetime of healthy teeth. At the same time, we can educate you, as needed, on the best way to avoid decay and other dental problems. 

These early visits also enable us to get to know your child and monitor their development. If we foresee problems in the way the bones of their mouth and face are developing, we can take early action. We can change the shape of the jaw while your child is still growing to prevent or reduce issues that might later require more extensive treatment.