Children's dentistry in Livingston, TX

When your child’s first tooth comes in

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association both advise a first dental visit once your child’s first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday. Call or text us when that first tooth appears, and we will talk with you about when to bring your child in.

A dental chair and a stool in one of our treatment rooms, with the instrument tray beside them

Checkups and cleanings

We recommend regular checkups and cleanings for your child. Each checkup starts with a cleaning. We remove plaque and tartar, including from the places that are hard to reach, such as just under the gums, and then polish your child’s teeth.

Next, Dr. Guiste examines each tooth for decay, damage and signs of infection. At every visit we also watch how your child’s teeth are coming in.

If your child needs it, we can also apply a fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay.

Working with you and your child’s doctor

Between visits, we work with you on how your child looks after their teeth at home.

If we find a problem that needs your child’s regular doctor, we work with them to treat it.

Sealants for the back teeth

A sealant is a thin plastic coating we paint onto your child’s teeth. It bonds to the tooth and smooths over the grooves and dips in its surface, giving the tooth a protective layer against decay and cavities.

We usually place sealants on the back teeth, which are hard to reach and very uneven. Even a child who brushes and flosses well can miss spots there, and a sealant helps protect them.

One of our treatment rooms: a dental chair, two stools, the instrument trays and a window with blinds

Fillings for cavities

We fill teeth to treat cavities and to repair teeth that have broken. We usually use composite resin, a material made to match the color of natural teeth. It goes on in layers, and we harden each layer with a special light. That takes a little longer, and most people prefer it because the tooth looks natural afterward.

Repairs for a broken or missing tooth

When your child breaks a tooth, we can usually repair it with tooth-colored material so it looks like the teeth around it. If that is not enough, a cap, also called a crown, covers the tooth.

If your child is missing a permanent tooth, we go through the options that suit your child’s age with you.

The Today's Dental office seen from the street, with its lawn and driveway

If your child has a dental emergency

See what to do in a dental emergency, with first steps for a knocked-out baby or permanent tooth, or call us at (936) 327-2151.

Questions patients ask

When should my child first see a dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association both advise a first dental visit once your child's first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday. Call or text us and we will talk with you about when to bring your child in.

Can parents and children see the same dentist?

Yes. We see your whole family, from children to grandparents, so you and your children can all see Dr. Guiste at the same office on North Willis Avenue.

What happens at my child's checkup?

We start with a cleaning that removes plaque and tartar, including from hard-to-reach places such as just under the gums, and then polish your child's teeth. Dr. Guiste then checks each tooth for decay, damage and signs of infection. If your child needs it, we can also apply fluoride to help prevent decay.

What is a dental sealant?

A sealant is a thin plastic coating we paint onto teeth, usually the back teeth. It smooths over the grooves and dips that a toothbrush can miss, and gives the tooth a protective layer against decay and cavities.

What are children's fillings made of?

We usually fill teeth with composite resin, a material made to match the color of natural teeth. It goes on in layers, each hardened with a special light, so it takes a little longer to place, and the tooth looks natural afterward.

Dental care for children in Livingston