Dental Care for Kids, Tweens & Teens
As children grow, their dental needs change—and regular visits play an important role in keeping their smiles healthy, confident, and on track. Our kids and teens dental care focuses on prevention, education, and early intervention, all delivered in a supportive, age-appropriate environment.
Why We Treat Baby Teeth (and Newly Erupted Adult Teeth)
Baby teeth and brand-new adult teeth play a much bigger role than most people realize. Our recommendations are guided by growth, function, and prevention—not just fixing what’s visible today.
The Purpose of Treating Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are temporary—but their job is not. They help your child chew comfortably, speak clearly, and maintain proper spacing for adult teeth. They also guide jaw development and facial growth during critical years.
When decay, infection, or early tooth loss goes untreated, it can affect:
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How permanent teeth erupt
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Long-term bite alignment
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Speech development
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Comfort, nutrition, and confidence
Treating baby teeth helps protect your child’s oral health now while supporting healthier outcomes later.
The Importance of Protecting Newly Erupted Adult Teeth
When permanent teeth first come in, their enamel is still maturing. These teeth are especially vulnerable to cavities in the early years—particularly the back molars with deep grooves.
Early protection helps:
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Strengthen developing enamel
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Prevent decay before it becomes complex
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Reduce the likelihood of future crowns, root canals, or extractions
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Preserve natural tooth structure long-term
Preventive and conservative care during this stage can make a meaningful difference for a lifetime.
Pediatric Tooth-Colored (White) Fillings
When a cavity forms, our goal is to restore the tooth while preserving as much healthy structure as possible. Pediatric tooth-colored fillings are made from durable, composite materials that blend naturally with your child’s tooth and bond directly to it for added strength.
These fillings are commonly used for small to moderate cavities and allow us to treat decay in a conservative, comfortable way—without the metallic appearance of older materials. We’ll always review whether a filling is the most appropriate option based on your child’s age, cavity depth, and overall oral health.
Why this matters for baby teeth and new adult teeth
Cavities do not stop on their own. Treating decay early prevents it from spreading deeper into the tooth, where treatment becomes more complex and uncomfortable.
Benefits include:
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Stops decay before it reaches the nerve
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Preserves chewing function and comfort
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Maintains spacing needed for proper eruption of adult teeth
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Protects newly erupted permanent teeth while enamel is still strengthening
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Supports long-term tooth health with minimal intervention
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants are a preventive treatment designed to protect the deep grooves of back teeth, where cavities most often develop. Even with good brushing habits, these areas can be difficult for children to clean thoroughly.
Sealants create a smooth, protective barrier over the chewing surfaces of molars, helping block out food and bacteria. The process is quick, painless, and especially effective for school-aged children as permanent teeth come in. Sealants are one of the simplest ways to reduce cavity risk during key developmental years.
Why this matters for baby teeth and new adult teeth
Back teeth—especially newly erupted adult molars—are at the highest risk for cavities. Sealants protect teeth before decay starts.
Benefits include:
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Reduces cavity risk in hard-to-clean grooves
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Protects brand-new adult teeth during their most vulnerable stage
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Non-invasive and painless
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Helps avoid fillings altogether when placed early
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Supports long-term enamel preservation
Pediatric Crowns
When a tooth is weakened by extensive decay, a crown may be the best way to restore strength, function, and comfort. Pediatric crowns fully cover the tooth, protecting it from further damage and allowing your child to chew and speak normally.
Crowns are often recommended for baby teeth with large cavities, teeth that have undergone pulp treatment, or teeth that need added durability until they naturally fall out. We select materials carefully and explain options clearly so you understand both the short- and long-term benefits.
Why this matters for baby teeth and developing smiles
Some teeth cannot be reliably protected with a filling alone. A crown helps prevent repeat decay and restores full function.
Benefits include:
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Protects weakened teeth from breaking or reinfection
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Preserves baby teeth until natural loss
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Maintains proper spacing for adult teeth
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Restores normal chewing and comfort
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Reduces the need for repeated dental work
Gentle Extractions
Sometimes a tooth cannot be saved due to infection, crowding, trauma, or delayed natural loss. When an extraction is necessary, our approach is calm, careful, and focused on your child’s comfort.
We take time to prepare children in age-appropriate ways, manage anxiety thoughtfully, and ensure parents understand why removal is recommended. When needed, we also plan for next steps—such as space maintenance—to support healthy development after extraction.
Why this matters for oral health and growth
Removing a problem tooth can protect the surrounding teeth and support proper development when done thoughtfully.
Benefits include:
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Resolves infection or pain
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Prevents damage to neighboring teeth
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Supports orthodontic planning and eruption timing
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Allows healthy permanent teeth to emerge properly
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Often paired with space maintainers to protect alignment
Space Maintainers
When a baby tooth is lost too early, nearby teeth can drift into the empty space, increasing the risk of crowding or alignment problems later. Space maintainers are small appliances that hold space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Using a space maintainer can help reduce the need for more complex orthodontic treatment in the future. We assess growth patterns carefully and recommend space maintenance only when it offers clear developmental benefit for your child.
Why this matters for long-term alignment
Early tooth loss can quietly create bigger problems later if space is not protected.
Benefits include:
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Preserves room for incoming adult teeth
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Helps prevent crowding and bite issues
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Supports proper eruption timing
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May reduce the need for extensive orthodontic treatment
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Protects natural growth patterns
Yes, We Also Offer Orthodontics
As your child grows, their smile can change fast—spacing shifts, bites develop, and those “is this normal?” questions start piling up. The good news: you don’t have to piece together dental care and orthodontics in different places. We provide orthodontic services right here, with two in-house orthodontists, Dr. Kelsey Wahl and Dr. Jessica Crews who work closely with our pediatric dental team. That means you can get straightforward answers, consistent guidance, and a plan that’s based on your child’s growth and timing—not a one-size-fits-all timeline.
Orthodontic services include:
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Early evaluations
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Phase I care
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Braces
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Clear aligners
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Bite correction
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Growth guidance and more
Learn more about orthodontics and what to expect as your child’s smile develops.
Why Parents Choose Our Team
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Focused training for growing smiles
Our doctors, Dr. Lindsay Maples & Dr. Natalie Smith, have advanced training in pediatric dentistry, allowing us to care for children at every developmental stage—from first teeth to complex growth and bite concerns. Treatment decisions are guided by evidence, experience, and what’s appropriate for your child right now and long-term. -
Clear explanations, no pressure
Parents deserve to understand the why behind every recommendation. We take time to explain options, timing, and alternatives in plain language, so families can make informed decisions without feeling rushed or upsold. -
A calm, child-centered approach
We specialize in working with anxious, sensory-sensitive, and first-time patients. Using age-appropriate communication and desensitization techniques, we focus on building trust—because positive experiences early on shape lifelong attitudes toward dental care. -
Local care with continuity you can count on
As a locally owned practice serving Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and surrounding St. Johns County families, we value long-term relationships. Your child isn’t passed between offices or providers—we’re here to care for them as they grow.
Most Importantly, our recommendations are never one-size-fits-all. Every treatment is based on your child’s age, development, comfort, and long-term oral health—so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
My child hasn’t been seen yet, what do I do?
That’s okay. We meet kids where they are. Early visits are about education and prevention, not judgment or pressure.