What is a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has 2 years of specialty training following dental school and limits his practice to treating children only. Pedodontists care for infants and children through adolesence, including children with special health care needs.
Dr. Eytan has over a decade of experience treating children. He specializes in making your child’s early dental experiences fun and positive.

My child has special health needs – should I see a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists are trained to see children with special health needs. Prior to your visit, inform the office of your child’s special health needs and we can accommodate as necessary, including extra time for the appointment. Additionally, if your child has a favorite toy or DVD that tends to provide comfort, feel free to bring it to the appointment.
You may also set up a “non-appointment” visit with our office where you can bring your child to simply tour the office and meet Dr. Eytan and our staff.

When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up?
In order to prevent dental problems and to start creating positive dental experiences for your child, your child should see a pediatric dentist between the age of 18-24 months.

Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We participate with many insurance plans. If our office is not in network with an insurance plan, we may accept partial payment from your insurance and submit the claim on your behalf. Call our office for more information!

My child has 3 cavities, does he have to be sedated to get his cavities filled?
Dr. Eytan and Dr. Soo have the expertise, patience, good humor, and fun style to help your child get through most procedures.  Our providers have experience treating children of all ages with multiple cavities without sedation.  However, our practice has sedation available in the special circumstance that it is needed.

Up to what age can my child be treated at Growing Smiles?
We see patients from ages 1 until 18-21 years old. Our patients usually graduate to see a general dentist when they are around college age.

What is baby bottle tooth decay and how can I prevent it?
Even babies and very young children can develop cavities. One cause is being put to bed with a bottle full of milk or formula. Milk, while healthy, contains sugars which stay on the baby’s teeth at night and can lead to cavities. Dr. Eytan and Dr. Soo are happy to discuss alternatives.

What should I know about brushing my child’s teeth?
Begin brushing daily as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, with a finger brush or toothbrush. Only start using very small amounts (pea size) of fluoride toothpaste when your child is able to spit it out (at around age 4).

What should I use to clean my child’s teeth?
A soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head is ideal to properly clean plaque and bacteria which can lead to cavities. Starting with a toothbrush early can also help your child get accustomed to using a toothbrush. As a parent, you should be brushing your child’s teeth, or in cases of slightly older children, assisting and reviewing brushing.

Do I need to floss my child’s teeth?
Yes! Flossing is a great way of preventing interproximal cavities (cavities between the teeth). Children up to age 10 usually need help flossing.

How do I know if my child is getting enough fluoride?
Speak to Dr. Eytan or Dr. Soo. If your child in not getting enough fluoride through water, then we may prescribe fluoride supplements.

Could my child be getting too much fluoride?
Yes. Too little or too much fluoride can be detrimental to your child’s teeth. If your child swallows the toothpaste, instead of spitting it out, that can lead to flourosis (excess fluoride).

How can I prevent flourosis?
• Use baby tooth cleanser (non fluoridated) for brushing the teeth of very young children.
• Use only a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children old enough to spit out the toothpaste.
• Avoid fluoride-containing supplements until at least 6 months of age.

How can I prevent cavities?
Proper dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing is essential to limiting cavities.
Taking your child to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth, can play a big role in preventing tooth decay. At these visits, Dr. Eytan and Dr. Soo can educate you and your child about proper brushing techniques, flossing and other preventive techniques.
Eating a well-balanced diet, especially limiting sugar and candy is important to limiting cavities. The best snacks for your child’s teeth are chocolate and cookies, instead of sticky candies. Sugary drinks, such as juices, flavored milk, sports drinks, and sodas can be harmful to your child’s teeth.

What are sealants?
Sealants work by filling in the crevices on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This keeps food from getting stuck in the grooves of the teeth and also makes it easier to brush those teeth and keep them clean. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

What should I do if my child falls and knocks out a permanent tooth?
The most important thing is to remain calm. Find the tooth, if possible. Hold the tooth by the crown, instead of the root and try to reinsert it into the socket. If that is not possible, then put the tooth in a glass of milk. Bring your child to a dentist immediately to reinsert the tooth. Time is of the essence.

What if a baby tooth is knocked out?
Contact us. This is usually not an emergency and in most cases, no treatment is necessary.

Are there any good books for me to read to my child about going to the dentist?
‘What to Expect When You Go to the Dentist’, by Heidi Murkoff is a great book which describes a dental visit in a child-friendly, positive manner.

Digital X-Rays
Dental x-rays are a necessary tool for diagnosis and treatment. They reveal information which the dentist cannot merely see by looking in your child’s mouth.
Pediatric dentists are especially careful with children to limit the amount of radiation exposure by only taking x-rays when they are necessary. Additionally, if you are pregnant, it is important to inform the office so that we may take additional precautions for safety.

Are you looking for a great dentist for your kids?
Dr. Eytan Chen is a top rated pediatric dentist with experience treating children of all ages. Your child’s dental care is of paramount importance to us. And what’s great is that we are a local dentist for kids with a large parking lot on site! Dr. Eytan Chen has a state of the art kids dental office with ipads, great toys, and movies to entertain. When we designed this office, with beautiful colors and textured walls that your child can touch, we planned to be the best just for kids dentist in NJ.

As a dentist for children since 2004, Dr. Eytan is experienced in showing and expaining each step of the process which makes each child feel comfortable. Dr. Eytan Chen has been working in NY for several years. He is a terrific Bergen County pediatric dentist. This is his first office for children’s dentistry in Bergen County, NJ. If you’re looking to find a pediatric dentist in Englewood, NJ – you’ve got it! We are easy to reach from Alpine, Demarest, Hackensack, or any surrounding areas, making us the best local pediatric dentist. So, when you are looking for a pediatrician dentist, think of us.

Come to Growing Smiles of Englewood, pediatric dentistry in Englewood, NJ for all of your children’s dental services, including cleanings, fluoride treatments, and fillings when needed. Dr. Eytan provides the best dental care for kids; he is a real children’s dental specialist.