Most parents eventually discover that children’s teeth seem to follow their own rules. One week, everything looks perfect; the next, a tiny white spot near a molar becomes a full-blown discussion about brushing habits. At Gamma Dental Clinic, where Dr Olga Gelfand and Dr Zoren Ratner see a steady stream of small patients, you realise quickly that pediatric dentistry is less about “fixing teeth” and more about reading a child’s mood before you ever open their mouth.
If you’ve ever typed kids dentist near me or pediatric dentist nearby in a moment of mild panic, you’re not alone. Parents often arrive holding a child who is either completely calm or quietly distressed. Sometimes the emergency is a chipped tooth from a playground fall. Sometimes it’s a cavity discovered by accident. And sometimes it’s simply that the child doesn’t want to chew on the left side anymore and nobody knows why.
Children don’t always tell the truth about tooth pain — not because they’re hiding anything, but because their vocabulary for describing sensations isn’t developed yet. A parent might say, “He says it only hurts sometimes,” but the child, when asked, nods solemnly as if the tooth has betrayed him. These early moments often say more than the symptoms themselves.
Pediatric dentistry unfolds differently from adult care. Kids arrive with questions adults wouldn’t dream of asking, such as whether the suction straw “takes memories away” or whether their tooth can “feel music.”
Dr Gelfand usually answers everything directly, even the whimsical questions. Children respond to honesty; it anchors them.
And biologically, things move quickly. A small cavity can widen in what feels like no time at all. A perfectly straight baby tooth can lean, twist, or get bumped into a new position after one enthusiastic game of tag. The teeth look simple — small, smooth, milk-white — but behind them lies a fast-changing system that benefits from regular monitoring. It’s why many parents eventually settle into a six-month routine even if the first few visits feel like an adventure.
Some come early, with their toddler still clutching a toy, unsure whether the visit is truly necessary. Others wait until the child is old enough to discuss the appointment with mild suspicion. In both cases, the first twenty minutes usually determine everything.
The atmosphere in the room matters. If the child feels safe, the rest unfolds smoothly. If they feel rushed or confused, the appointment becomes a negotiation.
Dr Ratner has a talent for identifying which children need technical explanations (“this tool is just a tiny shower”) and which ones need storytelling (“the tooth is taking a nap while we check it”).
Often, nothing more is required. But even in a simple appointment, the benefit is enormous: the child leaves knowing the dentist is a familiar presence, not a place of surprises.
Children’s teeth behave unpredictably but consistently enough that patterns emerge.
Cavities
Sugar sticks to small grooves in molars. Even children with good habits develop occasional spots of decay. The important part is catching them early, before the soft dentin becomes involved.
Sensitivity
Some kids grimace when they drink cold water. It can be a sign of new teeth erupting or enamel thinning in a specific area.
Trauma
Playground injuries are practically a rite of passage. Some are dramatic; others barely noticeable until the child says, “something feels funny.” Pediatric dentists learn to interpret “funny.”
Early tooth loss
A baby tooth lost too soon can shift the bite. Spacing and timing matter.
Eruption quirks
Sometimes a permanent tooth appears before the baby tooth leaves — a “shark tooth” situation. It looks alarming, but it’s common and treatable.
The important thing is that none of these issues are unusual. Parents often apologise for “letting it get this far,” but in truth, children’s teeth don’t always follow predictable timelines.
A good pediatric dentist moves slowly enough that the child has time to adjust, but not so slowly that the child loses patience. It’s a delicate balance.
Explaining the process
Kids appreciate knowing what comes next. Even a simple “this will make your tooth feel better” prepares them more than silence.
Gentle numbing
When local anesthesia is needed, it’s introduced gradually. The goal isn’t to hide the sensation, but to keep it from causing distress.
Restorations
Fillings are placed with minimal drilling, often using materials that blend seamlessly with the tooth. Children rarely care about the aesthetics; parents do.
Handling anxiety
Some children stiffen at the first sound of the handpiece. Others become chatty to distract themselves. The dentist adapts to their coping style, not the other way around.
Parents in the room
Some children relax when a parent stands close. Others do better on their own. There’s no single rule; the team reads the child’s cues.
Many parents leave remarking on how much calmer their child became once the procedure started — children are often more resilient than adults expect.
Parents searching for an emergency kids dentist or an urgent pediatric dentist sometimes arrive visibly shaken. Emergencies involving children feel different — the combination of worry and lack of information can be overwhelming.
Children can go from cheerful to uncomfortable quickly, so stabilising the situation is always the first step. Pain relief, cleaning the area, placing protective dressings, or managing swelling — whatever the situation requires — comes before any long-term decisions.
What matters most is clarity. Parents need to understand what happened and what the next days will look like.
For pain, age-appropriate medication is acceptable.
If swelling spreads rapidly or interferes with breathing, parents must seek urgent medical care immediately — that goes beyond dental treatment.
Around the first birthday or when the first few teeth appear.
Twice a year is standard, unless specific issues require monitoring.
Very much. They maintain space, support speech, and guide permanent teeth.
We move slowly, explain everything, and let them set the pace. Fear usually fades after the first visit.
No. Pediatric emergencies are seen during regular working hours.
Mild options may be available depending on the child’s age and health history.
Bring them in. Children don’t always recognise early signs of decay.
Children remember how adults speak to them. They remember whether they felt rushed, or whether someone made space for their questions. Pediatric dentistry is as much about trust as it is about technique. At Gamma Dental Clinic, Dr Olga Gelfand and Dr Zoren Ratner focus on steady guidance, early prevention, and creating an environment where children can grow into adults who aren’t afraid of dental care.
If your child is due for a checkup or you’ve noticed a small concern, a visit during working hours can clarify things quickly — and often prevent bigger problems later.