We will ensure that your child develops a positive, happy feeling about their oral health care.

Time to Schedule Your Child's First Dental Visit?

Dentistry for Kids

At Los Gatos Family Dentistry, we are pleased to provide high-quality dental care for your entire family. Of course, that includes the smallest smiles in your family, so we offer dentistry for children starting at age one.

Children’s Dentistry in Los Gatos

The first dental visit is a big step in your child’s life, and we realize that they—and you—might be apprehensive about it. Rest assured that our experienced Los Gatos children’s dentist understands and will do everything to ensure a fun and positive experience.

Experience has taught us that children need to be approached on their level and at their pace. We have found that an excellent way to get kids accustomed to the idea of dentistry is to bring them with you for your dental appointment.

We will take advantage of your child’s natural curiosity to familiarize him or her with our office and the tools we use. Another suggestion is for you to bring them to Los Gatos Family Dentistry when an older sibling has an appointment.

Your Child’s First Dental Visit

When it’s time for your child’s first visit, just remember—we’ve got this. Dr. Patricia Phan and her team are responsive to the needs of our youngest patients and know what it takes to keep them engaged and interested.

The first visit for a child between the ages of 1-5 may be as simple as letting them sit in the dental chair and introducing them to “Mr. Tickles” and “Mr. Thirsty,” our tooth polisher and suction. Your child’s comfort level determines the extent of work we do during the visit, and we will never push them outside their boundaries. It is as important to us as it is to you that your child learns that dentistry is a positive experience.

Establishing Healthy Dental Habits

It is never too early to start helping your child establish healthy dental habits. Since your involvement is essential, our goal is to educate you and your child on how to develop and reinforce these habits so they last a lifetime. At Los Gatos Family Dentistry, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Protecting baby teeth is crucial, even though they are only temporary. Oral hygiene at home begins when your child gets their first baby tooth, and we will show you the proper technique. We will check to see if your child can benefit from fluoride applications or dental sealants and answer your questions about diet and habits like thumb-sucking.

Working together, you and your Los Gatos children’s dentist can set your child on the path for positive oral habits and a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.

Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit

If it is time for your child’s first dental visit, or you have an older child who needs a dental exam or a tooth filling, please call Los Gatos Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment today.

There was excellent safety measures put into place as a result of COVID-19

It was our kids first appointment since January. Kids loved the dentist experience but most importantly there was excellent safety measures put into place as a result of COVID-19 that was reassuring. Additional, always great care and attention given for the dental checkup.

- Adebayo D.

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Dentistry for Kids Specials

$149 Children's Exam, Cleaning & Fluoride

Exam, cleaning, fluoride and necessary x-rays.

Available for children up to age 13.

Special pricing does not apply to patients with insurance.

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See Our Specials

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you treat children?

Yes, we do! At Los Gatos Family Dentistry, we are committed to meeting the needs of adults and children so that your entire family can come to just one office. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children have their first dental visit by age one or when the first baby tooth appears.

Baby or primary teeth will come out eventually on their own, but until they do, they play a crucial role in your child’s dental development. Not only do primary teeth help your child learn how to chew and speak, but they also act as placeholders for permanent teeth. When the baby tooth comes out, the permanent tooth will have space to erupt correctly and in proper alignment.

Preserving the health of baby teeth is essential, and we offer Los Gatos dental exams and teeth cleanings to prevent cavities that threaten a baby tooth. As your child grows, we provide age-appropriate care that includes fluoride and dental sealants, and we also offer tooth fillings if they get a cavity.

Dr. Phan and her team will answer all your questions about your child’s oral health care and provide guidance for concerns like thumb-sucking, pacifier use, and bottle feeding.

If you have an older child or it’s time to schedule your toddler’s first dental visit, please call Los Gatos Family Dentistry to get started.

Why are baby teeth important if they just fall out anyway?

It is a common misconception that baby teeth aren’t important since they eventually fall out. The fact is that baby teeth play a crucial role in your child’s dental development. They act as placeholders that hold space open in your child’s jaw so that permanent teeth have the room to emerge correctly.

If a baby tooth is lost too soon, neighboring teeth start to drift and close the space that was being reserved for the permanent tooth. Now, when the permanent tooth is ready to emerge, there isn’t sufficient space, and the result is tooth crowding and misalignment.

The key to keeping baby teeth healthy and intact is to practice oral hygiene at home and bring your child in to see us twice a year for checkups and teeth cleanings. We’ll support your at-home efforts by providing oral hygiene guidance and answering any questions you have.

Even before your baby gets their first tooth, you can wipe down their gums with a gauze pad or soft washcloth. As soon as the first baby tooth makes its appearance, use a small soft toothbrush to clean their teeth. You should start flossing as soon as any two teeth touch.

With conscientious brushing and flossing and routine checkups, we can help keep your child’s baby teeth healthy and intact until they’ve done their job and come out on their own. We recommend you bring him or her for their first visit as soon as the first baby tooth appears, but no later than age one.

Please call us if it’s time to schedule your little one’s first dental visit.

Meet Our Doctor:

Dr. Patricia Phan

“My patients are very important to me. I am committed to providing high quality dental care to each and every one of them. I love having a job that allows me to connect to my patients and make a difference in their lives.”

Dr. Phan brings a personal touch to the care she offers. She believes that open communication between patient and doctor is critical for maintaining lasting relationships and making informed decisions. Along with preventative care and patient education, Dr. Phan believes that good dental habits will ensure a lifetime ...