Pediatric Dentistry in Tucson, AZ

Pediatric dentistry focuses on the unique oral health needs of children—from the eruption of their first tooth through their teenage years. At Ironwood Dental, Dr. Karley Schneider, Dr. Alyssa Holmes, and Dr. Alexander Ordoñez understands how to work with children of all temperaments and ages, creating an experience that’s supportive, not stressful.

Your child’s dental care will include:

• Monitoring oral development and tooth eruption
• Professional cleanings tailored to age and cooperation level
• Preventive treatments like fluoride applications and dental sealants
• Early cavity detection and tooth-colored fillings
• Oral hygiene education for both kids and parents
• Habit counseling (thumb-sucking, pacifier use, etc.)

We also track facial and jaw development to identify any signs of bite problems or crowding. If needed, we can refer to orthodontists or begin interceptive care.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Early visits help:

• Establish a dental home for ongoing care
• Detect issues before they become more serious
• Build comfort and familiarity with the dental office
• Educate parents on home hygiene and diet

Our team offers a calm, encouraging approach—explaining tools and procedures in child-friendly language to reduce anxiety and build trust.

We emphasize prevention to reduce the need for future treatment. As your child grows, their appointments will include:

• Gentle teeth cleanings using age-appropriate techniques
• Low-dose X-rays when necessary to monitor development
• Fluoride varnish to strengthen enamel and reduce decay risk
• Protective sealants on molars to shield hard-to-reach areas
• Monitoring for habits that can impact alignment or jaw growth

If your child participates in sports, we also provide custom athletic mouthguards to protect growing teeth from injury.

When decay does occur, our approach is conservative, effective, and gentle. As a full-service kid’s dentist, we offer:

• Minimally invasive white fillings
• Comfortable, age-appropriate tooth extractions when necessary
• Space maintainers to preserve alignment when baby teeth are lost early
• Sedation options for anxious or special needs children (available through our sedation dentistry services

Your child’s comfort and emotional well-being are always our top priorities during treatment.

Routine dental visits are only part of your child’s oral care. We provide guidance for parents on:

• Choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste
• Teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques
• Understanding the role of diet in dental health
• Managing nighttime habits and thumb-sucking
• Preparing for the transition to adult teeth

These early lessons help children build lifelong habits that support a healthy, confident smile well into adulthood.