Pediatric Services

Ensuring Your Child Roars with Confidence

Discover a Dentistry Adventure!

Pediatric dentist specialists in Laguna Hills, CA

Explore Our Pediatric Dental Services in Orange County

Welcome to our pediatric dental office in Laguna Hills, serving families across Orange County, California. Jungle of Smiles: Sarah I Mathias, DDS, MS understands that taking care of baby teeth means setting the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Our team of pediatric dental specialists understands the importance of both adult and baby teeth and is dedicated to providing top-notch care in a fun, friendly, and engaging environment.

We make dental visits an adventure! Our Pediatric Dentistry experts will work with you and your child to create a personalized treatment plan that fits their unique needs. With our exciting atmosphere and high-quality care, we’ll make sure your child feels comfortable and confident during their visit to our office. Our friendly office team helps patients and parents find answers, understand each step of Pediatric Dentistry, and schedule care that fits school and work routines.

Join Our Animal Kingdom!

Baby’s First Dental Appointment

New parents, did you know the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatric Dentists recommend a baby’s first visit to the dentist is 6 months after the eruption of their first tooth, or by age 1. Jungle of Smiles’s team of pediatric dental specialists will give your little one an oral exam, teach proper oral hygiene, and discuss your baby’s habits and feeding with you so your family can support healthy routines at home. Schedule now and start your child’s journey toward a lifetime of healthy smiles with our pediatric dentist. If you’re ready to make the next best step, call our office—appointments are available and we can help you schedule your child’s appointment.

Child’s First Cleaning

Our team will provide a complete dental exam, a professional cleaning, and a highly effective topical fluoride application as part of your child’s dental care. During this visit, we’ll give your child some extra time to get to know our staff and explore our office facilities in Laguna Hills. By taking things at a reasonable pace and using language that matches their age, we can eliminate most fears and anxieties. We’ll also give you and your child tips on oral hygiene and have you brushing and flossing like a pro. Plus, you’ll be glad to know that our X-rays are digital. That means less radiation (half as much as you receive going outside on any given day) and is more accurate. If your child needs X rays for a detailed oral evaluation, our office uses modern digital imaging to support accurate treatment planning.

Sealants

Prevent tooth decay on the chewing surfaces of new permanent teeth with Jungle of Smiles’ sealants. Normal pits and grooves on the chewing surfaces of back teeth can trap food that can’t be removed by brushing alone. A dental sealant is a resin material that is professionally applied to the grooves and crevices of the newly erupted permanent premolars and molars. Sealants act as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid production to protect the decay-prone chewing surfaces of these teeth.

Baby Root Canals Pulpotomy

A pulpotomy is also referred to as a “nerve treatment” for baby teeth, or sometimes a “baby root canal”, however, it is not as invasive as an adult root canal. Children’s teeth have multiple layers to them, with the deepest layer being the nerve or “pulp.” If a cavity reaches the innermost layer, the child can experience pain, and eventually the tooth will abscess – which means the nerve of the tooth has died. Therefore, if a cavity has extended deeply into the nerve a pulpotomy would be indicated. It is our goal to preserve the baby teeth so that they can guide the permanent teeth into place, and the child can have a full set of baby teeth for proper digestion and speech and language development. Most children are able to complete this treatment in the office, but if advanced needs arise, Dr. Sarah has many options for how to make your child comfortable during this procedure.

Crowns

Sometimes the damage to a child’s tooth is too great for a filling and it will require a crown to restore it to its original shape and size. Unlike adult crowns that require two appointments, our pediatric crowns are placed in just one visit. The tooth is prepared to fit the crown, allowing for a seamless procedure. We offer traditional stainless steel crowns as well as white zirconia crowns. Trust Jungle of Smiles to provide efficient and effective dental care for your child, with a pediatric dentist focused on prevention and comfort.

Space Maintainers

Ensure proper dental development with space maintainers from Jungle of Smiles. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, a space maintainer is often indicated. This custom-made device, made of bands and wires, holds the remaining teeth in place, allowing the future permanent teeth to erupt correctly. This prevents more complicated orthodontic needs and minimizes the need for permanent tooth extraction in the future. Our office focuses on prevention and long-term oral health, and we’ll help your family understand how space management can reduce future Orthodontics needs.

SDF (Silver Diamine Fluoride)

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a liquid that when applied to an area where cavities are forming, has the ability to stop bacteria from progressing. The antimicrobial properties of SDF, silver, and fluoride, have been found to stop dental decay. When it is applied to the tooth (with a small brush or with floss) it turns the decayed area, dark black in color. SDF is typically applied to the chewing surface of teeth because this area is easily accessible. SDF has offered an alternative option for children who are young and may have difficulty with traditional restorative procedures. However, case selection is needed when using SDF and our pediatric dentist team would be happy to evaluate the option of SDF for your child.

Digital X-Rays

We utilize state-of-the-art digital X-ray machines to provide safe and accurate dental diagnostics. X-rays reveal important details about your child’s oral health that can’t be seen by the naked eye. X-rays are prescribed on an individual basis in accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

When it comes to dental x-ray safety, we prioritize your child’s well-being. Our practice uses low-radiation digital machines to minimize exposure. The radiation from eight modern dental X-rays is less than that of a Los Angeles to New York flight. Regular diagnostic X-rays are crucial for the early detection of issues, far outweighing the minimal radiation risk. Your child’s health is our priority, and we ensure their safety with every procedure. We aim for quality care at every visit, and we recommend regular cleanings and exams to help prevent cavities and catch issues early.

Caring for Patients with Special Needs

At Jungle of Smiles, we believe that every child deserves a safe, supportive, and understanding dental home. We specialize in providing tailored care for patients with unique healthcare needs, with a particular focus on supporting autistic children and young adults, as well as patients with other complex medical conditions. We know that traditional dental environments can sometimes feel overwhelming, so we meet our patients exactly where they are. Through thoughtful accomodations – including sensory friendly adjustments, visual aids, customized pacing, and specialized medical protocols – our highly trained team works closely with each familty to create a safe, predictable, and positive experience. Your child’s comfort, safety, and dignity are at the heart of everything we do.

Comfortably Numb – Safe Sedation Options at Jungle of Smiles

At Jungle of Smiles, your child’s comfort is our priority. That’s why we offer different sedation options depending on your child’s needs.

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Nitrous Oxide/Laughing Gas

This exceptionally safe method uses a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide to alleviate mild anxiety. Your child will breathe through a scented nosepiece during their procedure and after they are done will breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes to expel any remaining nitrous oxide. They will be ready to resume normal activity immediately afterward with no lingering sedative effects. And as an added bonus it also helps alleviate the gag reflex that so many children and adults struggle with during dental treatment.

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Oral Sedation

Sometimes a child’s anxiety is too great for nitrous oxide alone and they may require a stronger anti-anxiety option. Oral sedation with Versed may be necessary if your child is struggling with a short procedure and needs a little more help coping. Our staff strictly adheres to the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines and is trained to administer and monitor sedation safely for your child.

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General Anesthesia at Mobisurg

For children with severe anxiety, special needs, or who are too young to comprehend and cooperate with treatment in the traditional dental office setting, we are fortunate to offer general anesthesia services at Mobisurg. This state-of-the-art, fully accredited facility is staffed by highly trained pediatric anesthesiologists and nurses. Unlike a standard hospital environment, which can feel very intimidating, Mobisurg features a warm, family-friendly atmosphere specifically designed to lower anxiety for patients and parents alike, while delivering expert care to the most complex medical situations.

Laser Dentistry

Say goodbye to drills and shots! Experience the benefits of laser dentistry at Jungle of Smiles! Jungle of Smiles has provided laser dental care with the Waterlase laser for over 15 years.

Waterlase Fillings

Conventional dental drills rely on removing large amounts of tooth to get the job done, and the constant grinding and spinning of a drill bur can cause heat, pain, and microscopic cracks, this can be traumatizing to the nerve of the tooth.

The Waterlase, on the other hand, removes very precise amounts of tooth, without damaging or cracking the rest of the tooth! And because it doesn’t cause the heat and vibration of a traditional drill, anesthesia is rarely needed – that’s a fancy way of saying your child will not need the dreaded “shot”.

Waterlase Sealants

Sealants are highly effective at preventing decay in newly erupted permanent molars. However, failing to properly clean the tooth surface before application can seal in the very problems you are trying to prevent. The Waterlase laser removes any plaque or food debris and sterilizes the surface of the tooth, making it an ideal surface for sealant placement, and increases sealant retention.

Canker Sores

These painful sores can put a damper on your week. The Waterlase dental laser can zap the pain and help speed up the healing process, getting your child feeling and eating like their former self.

Frenectomy

Frenectomies performed with the laser are bladeless, suture-free, faster, more effective, and require only topical anesthesia. Waterlase frenectomies heal faster and there is very little, if any, downtime after the procedure.

Learn More About Our Frenectomy Services!

Additional Services

Preventative Services

Fillings
Teen Dental
Ortho
Wisdom Teeth Evaluation
Teeth Whitening

Orthodontics

We also monitor dental growth and development closely and provide early orthodontic evaluations and referrals, helping guide you on the right timing for braces or orthodontic treatment when it is indicated for your child’s needs.

Welcome to the jungle, we got fun and games — we’ve got everything you need, to keep those teeth gleaming. Contact us today! To schedule, contact our Laguna Hills office—our team is friendly, and we’re happy to help new patients and returning patients find a time that works for the whole family.