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Choosing the right pediatric dentist in Rockford or Grand Rapids, MI, is crucial to your child’s long-term oral health and comfort in the dental setting. You want a pediatric dentist specializing in children’s oral health but also making their dental visits fun and never scary. Let’s explore a few things to look for when searching for a pediatric dentist. 6 Things to...

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake" is how the famous R.E.M. song begins. But if your child has a dental emergency, it also may feel like the end of the world. After all, children aren't known for handling pain gracefully. That's why, as parents, we should be prepared for all forms of emergencies. When it comes to your child's teeth in...

Cavities are preventable, but sometimes they can still develop. Fortunately, if your child has a cavity, our team can help! At Valleau and VanDeven Dentistry for Children, we offer silver diamine fluoride at our offices in Grand Rapids and Rockford, MI. What Is Silver Diamine Fluoride? Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) stops cavities from growing. SDF is a colorless liquid made of fluoride...

Root canal treatment isn’t just for adults. Some children may require a root canal to remove disease or decay within a tooth. Unlike root canals in years past, modern root canal therapy is quick and painless. Many patients and dentists alike compare a root canal to a dental filling.  At Valleau and VanDeven Dentistry for Children, our skilled and gentle team...

At Valleau and VanDeven we offer general anesthesia or hospital-grade sedation for patients who need extra reassurance. In addition, our sedation dentistry in Grand Rapids and Rockford, MI, helps children relax during treatment and allows our dentists to perform multiple procedures during a single visit. A general anesthesia pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids is the best solution for kids who feel...

Tooth decay is the most common childhood illness in the country, but it is preventable. Your children's dentist in Rockford and Grand Rapids, MI emphasizes prevention to lower risks. However, most kids will get at least a few cavities during childhood. Let's explore preventive dentistry and how we treat cavities when they do occur. Preventing Tooth Decay with Your Child's Grand Rapids,...

Is It Time for Your Child to See a Children’s Dentist in Grand Rapids or Rockford, MI? Just like adults, children require regular dental care to enjoy optimal oral health. Most dentists agree that twice-yearly dental visits are the best course to get rid of plaque on kid’s teeth, which can cause many oral health complications, including cavities, when it is...

Pacifiers are useful for babies and young children; they can help soothe them, which can help entertain, provide self-comfort, and work as a sleep aid. While they are helpful to tired parents, they come with a dental downside. Dependence or overreliance on a pacifier can cause a host of dental issues for your child as they age, especially as they approach...

Fluoride toothpaste is safe and effective for toddlers and children when used correctly. How Fluoride Benefits Your Child The simple fact is that fluoride works for protecting teeth, and it works well. Fluoride helps reinforce the dental enamel supporting it if it has been weakened, helping to prevent tooth decay. You can use fluoride toothpaste on children's teeth, but there are a few...

When it comes to dental emergencies, children are just like adults. They get toothaches and have mishaps just like we do. And they need treatment with their pediatric emergency dentist in Grand Rapids or Rockford, MI. How to Know if Your Child Has a Dental Emergency Your child’s dental emergency may not be apparent, especially if they are very young and unable...

If you’re like most parents, you’re concerned about your child’s oral development. You want their teeth to come in correctly and don’t want to do anything to disrupt the process. Your pediatric dentists in Rockford and Grand Rapids, MI are here to help. Thumb and Finger Sucking Thumb sucking is relatively common in young children, and it is natural. You can even witness...

Our pediatric dentists in Grand Rapids and Rockford, MI work with children all day. These dentists and their team love what they do, and this comes across to the children who visit our dental office. We provide a genuinely warm environment that promotes trust and encourages curiosity. We are more than your child’s dental team; we are their trusted friends, making...

Smile restoration can mean many things, but it is always about repairing oral health through dental treatments and procedures. For example, tooth-colored fillings in Grand Rapids, MI restore tooth health following the removal of tooth decay. Restoration dentistry can also mean repairing a damaged tooth, maintaining space when baby teeth are lost too soon, and treating nerve exposure. Restorative Dentistry in Rockford,...

To help prevent cavities, gingivitis, and gum disease, preventive dentistry is your best defense. And this goes for patients of all ages. Through prevention, we can stop oral health conditions before they start, which is the key to a lifetime of healthy teeth. What Happens at Your Child’s Checkup and Teeth Cleaning in Rockford, MI? We provide age-appropriate dentistry for children of all...

The thought of oral treatment and anesthesia can be unnerving for kids and parents alike. As pediatric dentists, we want you and your child to feel completely safe and comfortable during treatment, especially when general anesthesia is needed. According to Nemours Kids' Health, advances in technology and highly trained anesthesiologists ensure that anesthesia for children is safer than ever.  The more...

If you have seen Dr. Jessica with your toddler lately, she has likely shown you this amazing toothbrushing technique! Here she in action with her 2 year old (not always cooperative daughter)! Keep up the great work VVM Families!   

A child’s oral health is integral to their whole-body health and development. Practicing healthy habits can prevent or reduce the risk of tooth decay in infants and children.  Our pediatric dentists strongly encourage families to care for their child’s oral health from birth, even before their baby teeth come in. Healthy gums are just as important as healthy teeth. To clean...

Your child’s smile is precious and deserves attentive and gentle dental care. At Valleau, VanDeven, and Massie Dentistry for Children, we practice compassionate dentistry for our young patients of all ages and abilities.  Our team of special needs dentists has several years of experience treating the various dental conditions of young children, teenagers, and young adults. We understand that providing comprehensive...

Twice-yearly checkups help keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. This includes their baby teeth that act as space holders for adult teeth. Our Grand Rapids dentists are always happy to answer your question as well. Your Child’s Dental Checkup We provide a comprehensive visual exam, x-rays if needed, and check on jaw and tooth development for younger children. Of course, we always...

Restorative dentistry means any treatment that reinstates oral health after a diagnosis. It can be anything from a dental filling to a dental crown and more. Our pediatric dentists in Grand Rapids, MI offer quality restorations to help your child maintain a comfortable and functional smile. Tooth-Colored Filling in Grand Rapids, MI Tooth-colored fillings close dental cavities after treatment. These fillings do not...

Nothing is scarier for parents than when their child gets hurt! Chipping a tooth can not only be embarrassing, but it may also be uncomfortable if a jagged edge is scraping your little one's tongue or soft tissues.  When your son or daughter has a dental emergency, they need relief fast, and your team at Valleau, VanDeven & Massie Dentistry for...

The Valleau, VanDeven & Massie Dentistry for Children team is proud to serve children of all ages, including our friends with special needs. If your child has a special need or requires a unique accommodation, don’t hesitate to contact our dental office to discuss it with a caring team member. We believe that everyone deserves access to dental care and a...

Children have unique dental needs, and it's important that they feel comfortable and at ease when they visit their dentist. In addition, a good relationship with their children's dentists will set them up for success in the future. Here are some things to consider when seeking out an excellent dentist for your son or daughter. Is the Dental Office Warm and Welcoming...

We had a great time celebrating Halloween at VVM Dentistry for Children! We got into the spirit and even dressed in our favorite costumes. We saw some great costumes on the kids that had appointments that day and hope that all of our wonderful patients had a great time celebrating! Don't forget to enjoy the chocolates (especially dark chocolates) and...

UPDATE on the pacifier progress! These photos are now just 2 months apart. Closing of the anterior open bite (where front teeth don't close together) improves function, esthetics, and speech. It also decreases the potential for injury to the front teeth. Stopping the pacifier before age 3 can lead to self-correction in most cases. Look for a final blog posting (with photo) on this topic...

Stopping the pacifier can be challenging! We are here to help guide you through the process.    Here are photos just two weeks apart from one of our patients who is almost 3 years old. As you can see, her teeth are drifting closer together. We will update you with future pictures. Good progress!    From the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: Nonnutritive oral...

We had so much fun welcoming Maranda into our office and talking about the importance of infant oral health and the Age 1 dental visit. You can see our segment by visiting our Facebook page or clicking on the following link: http://wotv4women.com/2016/01/14/a-dentists-office-thats-all-about-kids/ Enjoy!    

Congratulations are in order for Vivian B., Grayson F., and Josie D. You are our "No Cavity Club" winners for the month of September! We hope you enjoy your gift cards to Celebration Cinemas. Keep up the great work!!!!