We are not taking new patients at this time. Thank you for for visiting and please check back soon.

  Make an Appointment
Pediatric Dentist Near Me

Pediatric Dentist Near Me

Pediatric Dentist Near Me

Pediatric Dentist Near Me St. Louis, MO. The first few years of parenthood are stressful, to say the least. Searching, frantically trying to find a “pediatric dentist near me” shouldn’t be adding to that pull-your-hair-out or hit-the-roof level of stress. We’re here to help. With over 30 years of experience, along with two convenient locations in the St. Louis area, Martin Dental & Associates is the nearby pediatric dentist you’ve been looking for.

Dr. John Martin is the dentist on staff at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Hospital, providing free pediatric dental services for the children they serve. He and his team of pediatric dentists, hygienists, and staff is committed to providing top-quality dental care near you. Nothing matters more to him than making sure his patients’ oral health is taken care of, particularly children.

Our team is ready to serve your family’s complete dental needs, making our services as accessible and affordable as possible. Give us a call at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location, or contact us online today to schedule an appointment. New patients are always welcome at either location.


Pediatric Dentist Near Me: What Is a Pediatric Dentist and When Do I Need One?

Pediatric dentists are specialists dedicated to the oral health of children, from infancy throughout the various stages of childhood and teenage years. They have an extra two to three years of specialized training after dental school. Some of this training includes:

  • Advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures
  • Oral pathology
  • Child development
  • Clinical management
  • Child psychology
  • Child-related pharmacology and radiology
  • Management of oral and facial trauma
  • Care for young patients with special needs
  • General anesthesia for children

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that parents establish a pediatric dental home for their child by their first birthday, or within a few months of their first tooth coming in. This will help you introduce your child to oral care in a relaxed first meeting, and will put them on the right path to a healthy smile. The sooner children begin getting regular dental checkups, the healthier their mouths will stay throughout their lives. Early checkups help prevent cavities and tooth decay, which can lead to pain, trouble concentrating, and other medical issues.

Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease among children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 40 percent of children have decay by the time they reach kindergarten, and 52 percent among kids aged 6 to 8. In order to stave off this decay, your child needs a complete oral health plan from a pediatric dentist near you.

Contact us or give us a call at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location today to schedule an appointment.



Pediatric Dentist Near Me St. Louis | St. Louis Kids Dentist | Martin Dental & Associates

Pediatric Dentist Near Me: Our Pediatric Dental Services

Good oral hygiene, particularly initiated at an early age by a pediatric dentist near you, removes bacteria and leftover food particles that combine to create cavities. But cavities aren’t the only things going on in your child’s mouth. Routine pediatric dental checkups every 6 months, as the AAPD suggests, will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health. The pediatric dental services provided by Martin Dental & Associates include:

  • Infant Care
  • Even before your child gets teeth, there are several habits that you should work on to help ensure good oral health. Getting in the habit of wiping your baby’s mouth with a wet washcloth after nursing or feeding is a great routine to help establish strong oral health.

  • Tooth Brushing
  • As babies grow and teeth erupt, begin using a child’s toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of training toothpaste. After age 2, children’s fluoridated toothpaste may be used, but only the size of a grain of rice. By age 3, begin to teach your child to brush. The pediatric dentists and team near you at Martin Dental & Associates will help with the process.

  • Thumb Sucking
  • Non-nutritive sucking habits can cause damage to developing oral cavities. There are several ways to help break a thumb or pacifier habit, and our pediatric dentists will work with you and your child to give specific strategies to help correct them. In some instances, an orthodontic appliance may be recommended. These habits can lead to:

    • Crooked Teeth
    • Constricted Palate
    • Orthodontic Problems
    • Speech Issues

  • Tooth Eruption
  • As teeth begin to erupt into the mouth, many children may experience some discomfort or sleepless nights. Teeth always seem to erupt according to the circadian rhythm, and go through the greatest amount at nighttime. Many people believe that teething may cause a fever, however, this is simply not true.

  • Early Childhood Tooth Decay
  • Many parents ask our pediatric dentists, “Why worry about baby teeth when they are just going to fall out?” Baby (primary) teeth are important because they not only aid in the function of the oral cavity through chewing and speech development, they help to hold space for the developing permanent teeth. When primary teeth get decay, they can lead to dental pain and abscessed teeth. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health, and another by the CDC, children who have poor oral health miss more school and receive lower grades than those who don’t. It is vital for children to build strong preventative habits, starting at an early age with Dr. Martin and his team.

  • Cavity Prevention
  • Most of the time cavities are due to a diet in sugary foods, drinks, and a lack of brushing. Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes, during which the acid environment can destroy tooth structure and lead to cavities. By age 3 your child should have all 20 teeth. Between the ages of 5 and 7 the first permanent teeth will begin to erupt. Some of the permanent teeth replace baby teeth and some do not. Dr. Martin and his pediatric dental team will go over some tips for cavity prevention:

    • Limit frequency of meals and snacks
    • Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing
    • Watch what you drink
    • Avoid sticky foods
    • Make treats part of meals
    • Choose nutritious snacks
    • Drink an adequate amount of tap water daily

  • Gum Disease
  • While many people believe periodontal disease is an adult problem, studies indicate that gingivitis is nearly a universal problem among children and adolescents. Gingivitis is preventable and treatable with a regular routine of brushing, flossing, and professional pediatric dental care from Martin Dental & Associates. Dr. Martin’s signs of gum disease:

    • Swollen, red, or tender gums
    • Gums that bleed easily
    • Pus between the teeth and gums
    • Bad breath
    • Buildup of hard brown deposits along the gumline
    • Loose teeth or teeth that are moving apart
    • Changes in the way dental appliances fit

    Contact us or give us a call at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location today to schedule an appointment.



    Pediatric Dentist Near Me St. Louis | St. Louis Dentist for Kids | Martin Dental & Associates

    Pediatric Dentist Near Me: Our Pediatric Dental Treatments

    The staff at Martin Dental & Associates, the pediatric dentist near you, realizes it can be difficult to get a child to cooperate with a dentist or hygienist, particularly after sitting for a long period of time. So we know the importance of being able to communicate with your child and build a rapport. Some of the common pediatric dental treatments we use include:

  • Topical Fluoride Fluoride is especially helpful for your pediatric dentist in preventing cavities and decay, and strengthening tooth enamel.
  • Dental Sealants Sealants are painless and relatively simple to apply, and work to block unwanted particles from entering the crevices of a tooth. They are great for protecting a child's molars from infection and cavity.
  • Root Canal Therapy Root canals minimize further damage when inflammation, infection, or damage has occurred. Removing pulp and nerve tissue from within a damaged tooth relieves pain, prevents the formation of abscesses, and can prevent problems like malocclusion from developing.
  • Fillings Young people are more susceptible to tooth decay, plaque, and cavities because they generally tend to eat more sugary, sticky foods and may not be as faithful to the recommended oral hygiene routine as adults are.
  • Bonding Bonding is used for both general and cosmetic dentistry. A resin material similar in appearance to a natural tooth is shaped, applied, and hardened. It is a quick and easy way to protect an exposed root, and is a popular solution for hiding minor chips, cracks, and gaps to give your child a perfect smile. Particularly after falling face first into that table.
  • Orthodontic & Other Treatments — As your child grows, they may need things like mouth guards, space maintainers, or braces to assist in the alignment of their teeth and jaw. As they get older, they will likely need wisdom teeth removal. Your pediatric dentist near you, Martin Dental & Associates, can provide all these services and will work with your child throughout the stages of their dental needs. Contact us or give us a call at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location.

Make an Appointment at the Pediatric Dentist Near Me | Martin Dental & Associates

You deserve a pediatric dentist near you that you feel comfortable with and trust with your child’s dental care and overall well-being. From the moment you step inside either of our two offices, your child’s comfort is our number one priority. Our welcoming and experienced staff will take care of any questions or concerns you may have before, during, or after your visit.

Great smiles begin with us, even at an early age. Give us a call at 314-739-1222 for our Maryland Heights office or 573-764-2425 for our Gerard location, or contact us online today to schedule an appointment. New patients are welcome at either location.