At the office of Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry, the goal is to guide families through the early stages of dental care with patience, clarity, and clinical expertise. We focus on creating positive experiences that help children feel comfortable, teach them helpful habits, and give parents practical tools to support healthy development. Our pediatric approach balances prevention, gentle treatment, and clear communication so children and their caregivers understand each step of care.
First dental visits set the tone for a lifetime of oral health. We encourage early checkups to help children become acquainted with the office atmosphere, the dental team, and routine care procedures in a way that feels friendly rather than frightening. These early appointments are brief and focused on building trust while checking basic growth and oral comfort.
During an initial visit, the dentist will review your child’s medical and developmental history and perform a careful but non-invasive exam of the mouth. For infants and toddlers this may involve a quick look at gums and newly erupted teeth, guidance on feeding and cleaning, and answers to common parental concerns. The aim is to reassure families and to catch any early signs of trouble before they progress.
We also teach age-appropriate brushing and flossing techniques and offer practical tips for establishing routines at home. Simple, consistent practices—paired with regular dental checkups—are the most reliable way to reduce cavities and other preventable problems. Our team prioritizes patience and clear explanations so children leave each visit feeling more confident about dental care.
Preventive care is the cornerstone of pediatric dentistry. Regular professional cleanings and exams allow our team to remove plaque buildup and watch for early decay, while topical fluoride treatments and sealants provide additional protection for vulnerable chewing surfaces. These in-office interventions are quick and designed to fit naturally into a child’s routine.
At home, parents play the leading role. We provide guidance on creating an effective brushing schedule, choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste for each age, and helping children transition toward independent oral care. Nutritional advice is another key element; swapping sugary drinks for water and emphasizing whole foods can dramatically lower a child’s risk for cavities.
Preventive plans are individualized. We consider each child’s decay risk, dietary habits, and developmental stage to recommend checkup frequency and any supplemental measures. When parents understand the "why" behind our recommendations, they’re better equipped to support habits that last into adolescence and adulthood.
A child’s dental care goes beyond cavities. Tracking facial growth, jaw relationships, and how erupting teeth align helps identify patterns that can influence future orthodontic needs. Early observation allows us to recommend timely interventions when necessary, reducing complexity later on and promoting more predictable outcomes.
At each visit we assess tooth eruption patterns, bite alignment, and jaw movements as part of a comprehensive exam. Digital radiographs are used selectively to see developing tooth positions and jaw structure beneath the surface. These images help the team spot concerns like crowding, missing teeth, or early signs of malocclusion.
When early treatment or a specialist referral is indicated, we explain options clearly and share a practical timeline. Many alignment issues are easier to address when identified early, but not every child requires intervention. Our approach is measured: we avoid overtreatment and focus on what is clinically recommended for healthy development.
We encourage parents to bring children for periodic assessments that include both dental health and facial growth evaluation. Simple observations—how a child chews, whether they breathe through their nose, or if they have habits like prolonged thumb sucking—can inform recommendations. Addressing these matters early reduces the chance of more extensive treatment later.
A balanced diet supports teeth, gums, and the underlying bone that shapes a child’s smile. Emphasizing whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables provides nutrients critical for development. Limiting sticky candies, frequent snacking, and sugar-laden beverages helps lower decay risk and supports general health.
Active children sometimes experience dental accidents—falls, sports collisions, or biting injuries—that require timely attention. Knowing what to do immediately and where to seek care can make a meaningful difference in outcomes. Our practice provides calm, focused emergency evaluation and treatment designed to preserve tooth structure and relieve discomfort.
Typical urgent problems include tooth fractures, loosened or displaced teeth, and oral soft-tissue injuries. For knocked-out permanent teeth, quick action improves the chance of successful re-implantation. For primary teeth, the response focuses on preventing infection and ensuring comfort. Parents should seek evaluation promptly so the clinical team can determine the safest and most appropriate next steps.
We also help families plan ahead by discussing protective measures like properly fitted mouthguards for sports and by reviewing how to respond to common scenarios. Clear guidance and easy-to-follow care steps help reduce anxiety and minimize long-term complications after an injury.
Habits formed at home create the foundation for a healthy smile. Parents who model good oral hygiene, supervise brushing, and keep a consistent schedule give children the best chance to avoid decay and gum problems. We offer concrete, age-specific strategies for moving from parental brushing to independent care as the child matures.
Eliminating harmful routines—such as prolonged bottle use with sugary liquids, frequent pacifier dependence past preschool years, or allowing constant snacking—reduces risk and supports normal dental development. When thumb or finger sucking persists beyond the early years, we provide compassionate guidance and practical steps to help children stop at an appropriate time.
We recommend preventive tools like sealants for permanent molars when they erupt, and consider fluoride applications based on each child’s needs. The combination of in-office prevention and consistent home care is the most reliable path to long-term oral health and confidence.
We believe parents and caregivers are essential members of the care team. That means offering straightforward explanations, listening to concerns, and providing realistic, step-by-step plans for treatment and prevention. Open communication helps families feel prepared and involved in decisions about their child’s dental health.
Our team aims to create a welcoming environment where children feel safe and parents feel supported. We tailor our approach to each child’s temperament and developmental stage, using distraction, positive reinforcement, and gentle techniques to reduce anxiety and build trust.
From the first tooth to the transition into teenage dental care, our focus remains steady: to protect growing smiles, to intervene thoughtfully when needed, and to empower families with knowledge. At the office of Brian Howe DDS, Family Dentistry, we welcome questions and look forward to partnering with you to keep your child’s smile healthy.
In short, pediatric dental care combines prevention, growth monitoring, and responsive treatment in a child-centered framework that supports long-term oral health. If you have questions or would like more information about caring for your child’s teeth, please contact us for more information.
We recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit by the time the first tooth appears or by their first birthday to establish a dental home and begin preventive care early.
Early appointments are brief and focus on building trust through a gentle exam, simple familiarization with the office and team, and clear guidance for parents on feeding and cleaning techniques. Establishing care early helps identify any emerging issues before they progress and sets the stage for positive dental experiences.
A typical pediatric checkup includes a thorough but noninvasive examination of the mouth, assessment of tooth eruption and bite, and a review of medical and developmental history to tailor care to the child’s needs.
When appropriate, the visit may include a professional cleaning to remove plaque and polish teeth, topical fluoride for added protection, and selective digital radiographs to evaluate developing tooth positions. The team explains findings in plain language and recommends an individualized schedule for future visits and preventive measures.
At home, consistent routines are the foundation of cavity prevention: supervise brushing with a child-sized toothbrush and appropriate fluoride toothpaste, begin flossing as contacts form, and limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks. Parents who model good habits and maintain regular meal and snack times give children a strong advantage in preventing decay.
In the office, regular checkups allow for early detection of trouble, professional cleaning removes stubborn plaque, and targeted treatments such as topical fluoride and dental sealants protect vulnerable chewing surfaces. Prevention plans are individualized based on each child’s decay risk, and the practice works with families to create realistic, sustainable habits.
Dental sealants are most commonly applied to permanent molars soon after they erupt, typically around ages six and twelve, to protect deep grooves from decay; however, timing is based on each child’s eruption pattern and risk profile. Topical fluoride treatments are a safe, quick way to strengthen enamel and are recommended according to a child’s individual needs and history of cavities.
Your dental team will assess decay risk, dietary habits, and oral hygiene to recommend the right schedule for sealants and fluoride. These preventive measures work best when combined with consistent home care and routine dental visits.
Pediatric dental visits include observation of jaw relationships, bite alignment, and tooth eruption patterns to identify early indicators of crowding, crossbite, or other growth concerns. Selective digital radiographs and clinical measurements help the team evaluate how facial bones and teeth are developing beneath the surface.
An orthodontic consultation is recommended if growth patterns suggest an emerging problem that could benefit from early intervention, but not every child requires treatment. When a referral is appropriate the team explains timing and options clearly so parents understand the rationale and expected timeline for care.
In an emergency remain calm and take quick, practical steps: rinse a broken tooth gently with water and collect any large fragments, and if a permanent tooth has been completely knocked out gently rinse it without scrubbing and keep it moist in milk or the child’s saliva. For primary (baby) teeth the focus is on preventing infection and managing comfort, and re-implantation is typically not recommended for most knocked-out primary teeth.
Seek prompt evaluation so the dental team can determine the right course of action and reduce the risk of long-term damage. For urgent assistance you can contact the office at (740) 344-4549 for existing patients or (740) 212-1897 for new patients for guidance and to arrange immediate care.
Preparation and a calm approach at home make a big difference: use simple, positive language when talking about the dentist, practice 'play dentist' at home, and read age-appropriate books or watch short educational videos that normalize dental visits. Avoid using words that promote fear, and focus instead on the friendly aspects of the visit and the role of the dental team in keeping teeth healthy.
In the office the team adapts communication to a child’s temperament using distraction, positive reinforcement, and the tell-show-do method to build trust and cooperation. For children who experience significant fear the team discusses behavior management strategies and, when clinically appropriate, limited sedation options to ensure safe, compassionate care.
Nutrition directly affects tooth development and decay risk because frequent exposure to sugars and acidic foods promotes enamel breakdown and cavity formation. Encouraging a balanced diet rich in whole foods, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables supports healthy teeth, gums, and jaw development during critical growth periods.
Practical steps include offering water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, limiting sticky snacks between meals, and focusing on nutrient-dense options that support overall health. The dental team can provide tailored guidance for age-appropriate dietary habits that reduce decay risk while meeting a child’s nutritional needs.
Children typically gain the manual dexterity needed for effective independent brushing between about six and eight years of age, but individual development varies and many children need parental supervision longer. Parents should continue to supervise and assist with brushing until they are confident the child can clean all tooth surfaces thoroughly, including the back teeth.
Use a child-sized toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, encourage two minutes of brushing twice daily, and introduce flossing once teeth touch. Positive routines, consistent timing, and parental modeling are the most reliable ways to help a child develop lasting oral hygiene habits.
The practice emphasizes open communication, education, and individualized care plans so parents understand the reasons behind recommendations and feel confident supporting their child’s oral health. Regular appointments focus on prevention, growth monitoring, and practical coaching for home care that evolves as a child matures.
Located in Newark, Ohio, the team provides clear explanations, timely referrals when specialists are needed, and calm, child-centered care designed to foster lifelong habits. Families are invited to ask questions at any visit so treatment decisions are collaborative and tailored to each child’s needs.
Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to assist you. You can reach us by phone at (740) 344-4549 or by using the convenient contact form below. If you submit the form, a member of our staff will respond within 24–48 hours.
Please do not use this form for emergencies or for appointment-related matters.
