Pediatric Services

Ensuring Your Child Roars with Confidence

Discover a Dentistry Adventure!

Pediatric dentist specialists in Laguna Hills, CA

Explore Our Pediatric Dental Services

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 and engaging environment.

We make dental visits an adventure! Our 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.

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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. Book now and start your child’s journey toward a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Child’s First Cleaning

Our team will provide a complete dental exam, a professional cleaning, and a super cool topical fluoride application. During this visit, we’ll give your child some extra time to get to know our staff and explore our amazing facilities. 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.

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 plastic 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. 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. Therefore, if a cavity has extended deeply into the tooth a nerve treatment would be indicated. It is our goal to preserve the baby teeth so that they can guide the permanent teeth into place. 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.

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.

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 area, where there is a cavity, 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 doctors 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 state-of-the-art, low-radiation machines to minimize exposure. The radiation from a modern dental X-ray is less than that of a Los Angeles to New York flight. Regular diagnostic X-rays are crucial for the early detection of issues, outweighing the minimal radiation risk. Your child’s health is our priority, and we ensure their safety with every procedure.

Caring for Patients with Special Needs

Our team of specialized pediatric dentists is equipped with the training and expertise necessary to provide dental care in a safe and stress-free environment for children with different special needs. We can assist children with:

Special healthcare needs
Behavioral disorders
Mental disabilities
Physical disabilities

We prioritize providing customized dental care to our patients and work collaboratively with families to create personalized dental care plans that cater to the unique needs and preferences of each child. Our nurturing staff strives to provide a comfortable, compassionate, and caring environment designed to make the dental experience as pleasant and positive as possible.

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.

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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 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.

Laser Dentistry

Experience the benefits of laser dentistry at Jungle of Smiles! Our advanced laser technology allows for minimal discomfort and precise fillings. Say goodbye to traditional drills! We also offer laser sealants for added protection against decay. Laser treatment is incredibly effective for treating canker sores and performing frenectomies.

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 is so precise, you will rarely need anesthetic!

Waterlase Sealants

Sealants are excellent for sealing out decay. But not properly cleaning the surface of the tooth before application can seal in problems. The Waterlase laser removes any plaque or food debris and sterilizes the surface of the tooth, making it an ideal surface for sealant placement.

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.