Prevention, education, and early detection are the foundation of a healthy smile. That’s why we recommend six-month check-ups and routine x-rays — they help us catch small issues early, before they turn into bigger (and more costly) problems.

Radiographs, or x-rays, are an important part of your child’s care and are prescribed based on their individual needs and cavity risk. X-rays help us see more than just cavities; they allow us to monitor growth and development, check bone health, and detect any hidden concerns like infections or injuries. At Grin & Grow Pediatric Dentistry, we use the latest low-radiation digital technology to keep your child’s safety our top priority.

We offer several ways to help protect and restore your child’s smile, depending on what’s best for them. Our options include protective sealants, white tooth-colored fillings, stainless steel crowns (which are mercury-free and made from safe, durable materials similar to cookware), and white esthetic crowns for front teeth to keep their smile looking natural and bright. We’ll walk you through every option and help you choose what’s right for your child — because a healthy, confident smile is always our number one goal.

Dental sealants are a simple and effective way to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. We carefully place sealants on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars, sealing the deep grooves where food and bacteria love to hide. This helps keep teeth cleaner and reduces the risk of decay in those hard-to-brush areas.

Fluoride treatments add another layer of protection by strengthening enamel and making teeth more resistant to acid and sugars. We offer both fluoride and fluoride alternatives during visits and are happy to answer any questions about use. If your family prefers to avoid fluoride products, just let us know — we’re happy to personalize your child’s care.

We use nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” to help make visits easier and more relaxing for our patients. It’s safe, effective, and used daily in our office. While it works well for most children, it may be less helpful for very young kids or those who have trouble breathing through their nose — and that's okay! We’ll always find the best way to keep your child comfortable.

Some children may feel anxious or have a harder time sitting through dental treatment — and that’s completely okay! Dr. Coco has lots of experience helping kids feel comfortable and confident in the dental chair. With the help of nitrous oxide, a gentle approach, and fun distractions like TVs on the ceiling, most of our patients are able to relax and have a great experience during their visit!

Some children may be too young, have extensive dental needs, or feel too anxious to complete treatment safely while awake. In these cases, Dr. Coco works with a specialized anesthesiologist and sedation team to complete care under general anesthesia, right here in our office. This approach is similar to what’s used for procedures like ear tubes or tonsil removal and helps create a positive, stress-free dental experience. Learn more under our "General Anesthesia" tab.

Tongue tie therapy is an important and growing area in pediatric care. Dr. Coco has helped many infants and children through gentle tongue tie releases, also called “frenectomies.” If you’re concerned about a possible tongue tie, he can carefully evaluate your child and walk you through the best options. In many cases, the procedure can be done safely and comfortably right here in our office without the need for sedation.

Patients with special health care needs hold a special place in Dr. Coco’s heart. We offer extra support through non-stimulating environments, desensitization visits, gentle behavior guidance, and sedation options — all to help every child feel comfortable and confident in their smile.

Early loss of baby teeth can lead to crowding, eruption problems, and impacted teeth. Dr. Coco can create custom space maintainers, or "spacers," to hold the space open and help permanent teeth erupt properly, supporting healthy growth and development.