As your family’s dental home for child and teenage dentistry, we aim to nurture your children’s dental health as they grow into their adolescent years. We are passionate about evolving dental experiences as kids transition from childhood into their tween and teenage years. Creating an age-appropriate, personally tailored dental experience for each of our guests is our goal for every dental experience we engage in.
Child & Teen Dentistry ·
Child & Teen Dentistry ·
Child & Teen Dentistry ·
Child & Teen Dentistry ·
Child & Teen Dentistry ·
A Dental Visit To Look Forward To:
For any of us to look forward to an event, a good feeling needs to be associated with it. Good feelings range from feeling safe and honored to feelings of interest, fun and excitement. The formula is different for each of us and is also ever-changing. A positive dental experience has a lot to do with mindful listening, understanding and prioritizing. It requires open, heartfelt discussions with you and your family. We believe in creating positive dental experiences that build trust and encourage self empowerment.
Promoting Dental Education:
We believe in nurturing dental awareness in kids of all ages through communication and education. Dental-conscious children understand the reasoning behind the self care that we promote as adults. They become willing partners and self-advocates for what fosters their personal well-being. Guiding our children through knowledge and scientific data, answering their questions and teaching them how to ensure their dental well-being is essential for dental health that lasts a lifetime. They might even surprise you in leading the way to the whole family’s dental thriving!
A Pediatric Dentist From Childhood To Young Adulthood:
We view your children and teenagers as family and look forward to watching them grow in our practice. We feel that this continuity of care is integral to nurturing the bond of trust between our team, you, and your family. Understanding your children’s preferences, activities and lifestyles helps us collaborate with your family to guide their dental development in a healthy direction. It also allows us to empower them to celebrate their continued dental well-being.
Comprehensive Services For Child/Teen Dentistry:
The Smiles Steps to Infant oral health:
Hover or tap to reveal steps
1
Cultivate the good habit of brushing and flossing morning and night. A toothbrush and floss go together like salt and pepper!
2
Add a daily mouthwash at nighttime to supercharge saliva with mineralizing ions that fortify the dentition during the hours of slumber.
3
Promote healthy eating patterns understanding how habits, different foods and beverages, or practices can affect our dental wellness.
4
Pair up routine dental checkups with any needed orthodontic adventures as a comprehensive dental wellness approach.
5
Consider additional dental cleanings during orthodontic care.
6
Nurture collaborations with other specialists such as your pediatrician, a speech therapist, a myofunctional or occupational therapist to enhance oral and general well-being.
7
Approach teenage esthetic desires with mindfulness
8
Keep the conversations open-hearted. All questions are welcome!
FAQs for Child/Teen Dental Care:
What are the benefits of continuing with a pediatric dentist from early childhood to late teenage years?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a policy in the nineties defining the “medical home” This concept means finding a healthcare facility that offers comprehensive, continuously accessible, family centered, coordinated, compassionate care for your child
The “dental home” policy was issued by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) in 2001. A dental home ensures comprehensive oral care that evolves as your child grows and develops. Continuity of excellent care not only promotes dental health but also allows kids the opportunity to feel safe and well cared for.
Our office’s pride and joy is caring for our clients from infancy into their late teenage years. We celebrate achievements from starting preschool to collage acceptances along with our families! Our Smiles Champions are the teenagers that have grown up in our practice. You can learn about a few of them and their experiences with us on the page dedicated to them. Each of our champions (those featured here and those not) holds a special place in our hearts.
What is the Smiles approach of Dental Salutogenesis about?
Salutogenesis is a term coined by the Social Scientist Aaron Antonovsky in 1979. The theory focuses on the origins of health and factors that promote well-being rather than those that cause disease. The term comes from the Latin word salus (health) and the Greek word genesis (origin).
Our goal at Smiles is to cultivate dental health and well-being by educating families about how to be and stay healthy. We teach how to prevent issues from arising and intervene with minimally involved tactics, when needed, to quickly reverse early challenges and promote the return to well-being.
Do I need to help my child brush their teeth?
Supervising tooth brushing for small children is important to ensure that the job is well accomplished. Small kids also need help with flossing. Children improve their dexterity skills as they grow but even teenagers sometimes need help achieving good oral hygiene practices.
Part of each dental visit is dedicated to educating you and your child or teen about how they are doing with oral hygiene and what to do if changes are needed. We are very “hand-on” with health-promoting practices that the whole family can enjoy and benefit from.
What causes cavities?
To understand how cavities form, we need to understand the science of the oral microbiome. Our mouths are homes to an intricate oral flora ecosystem that is constantly equilibrating depending on a variety of influencing factors. The balance of this flora can shift in the direction of dental health or its opposite. Changes depend on the populations and types of microorganisms and their dominance in the oral flora.
Friendly oral flora is favorable for tooth structure preservation and mineralization while caries-causing flora can destruct teeth. Cavities or dental caries are holes in teeth that are caused by a group of germs that create an unfavorable dental environment. These groups of bacteria feed on sugar that is introduced to the mouth by dietary intake and thrive on frequent sugar exposure.
What makes these types of germs damaging is that they produce acids that damage the structure of teeth by depleting the calcium in the enamel and dentin. They also create plaque, which is a glue-like layer that allows more bacteria to stick to the tooth surfaces. It appears as a yellowish film that builds up on teeth and contains enamel-eroding acids.
This is why meticulous oral hygiene helps to keep teeth healthy and safe. Toothbrushing and flossing go hand in hand in removing dental plaque. Dental Sealants can further protect deep grooves and crevices on the chewing surfaces of molars that are too deep for toothbrush bristles to reach.
Where does the cavity-causing bacteria come from?
Babies are not born with bacteria in their mouths. They develop their oral and gut flora as they enter into the world and interact with their family. When they are exposed to someone who already has high levels of cavity-causing bacteria, like a mother, father or caregiver, they can acquire similar strains of germs. A sibling who has a high cavity rate can also be involved. Eating from the same spoon as the baby or sharing a toy or toothbrush are common forms of transmission. The easiest way to cultivate dental well-being for our children is to make sure that we, the parents, maintain optimum oral health levels.
What does a cavity look like?
The first stage to a cavity is caused by the sticky film of plaque that has been in contact with a tooth surface for an extended period of time. It appears as a chalky white spot and represents an area of enamel that has lost mineral content, rendering it dull in appearance and weaker in structure. If left untreated, this chalky area will lose enough mineral contact to the point of collapsing and creating a hole known as a cavity.
Many parents don’t notice these stages of the disease and are only able to visualize the cavity when the damage is severe or if it eventually turns dark in color. Treating the first sign of cavities means we are able to manage the disease before we have to deal with what the disease is causing, which is the actual cavities. This approach is called the medical approach to dental disease and represents a progressive paradigm shift in dental caries management.
Chalky spots or “white spot lesions” are treatable with a multitude of dental agents that can help recharge the mineral content loss. These treatments are topical, easy and successful. They include remineralizing products, antibacterial rinses, Fluoride treatments, silver diamine fluoride care and resin infiltrations.
How will my child’s cavities be treated?
If your child is diagnosed with cavities, a comprehensive treatment plan will be presented. Because the cause of the disease is bacterial, restoring the cavities is only the first step toward achieving optimum oral health. The treatment plan must identify the steps for prevention of future decay and it must also address shifting the oral microbiome to a balance favoring oral harmony and dental well-being.
The age of your child is also very important. The younger your child is, or the more treatment they need, the more challenging it is for them to sit for long periods of time and allow meticulous dental care. This is when our sedation suite can offer wonderful solutions to keep children and teenagers comfortable and happy while allowing us to deliver excellent dental care.
Our Solea Laser is a state-of-the-art device that treats dental caries very comfortably. It is not only an incredible disinfectant, it allows gentle dental restorative procedures without the need to use local anesthetic. Solea is ideal for children of all ages from childhood to teenage years.
What is gingivitis and what is going on with my teenagers gums?
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums that is usually caused by oral hygiene challenges. Any area that kids do not brush or floss will harbor plaque and gingivitis causing bacteria. Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis which is a more severe condition that includes inflammation of the tooth’s supporting tissues of bone and ligament.
The cause of gingivitis and periodontitis is bacterial but the groups of germs creating these problems are different than those that cause dental decay. The good news is that improving oral hygiene with an individualized dental plan and frequent dental cleanings are proven tactics in reversing this type of oral problem.
Are dental X-rays necessary?
Radiographs (x-rays) are a vital and necessary part of your child’s dental examination. Without them, certain dental conditions can go unseen and opportunities of reversing early changes can be missed. Radiographs are also needed to evaluate healthy development and plan orthodontic care safely and effectively.
Smiles adopts the “Image Gently” paradigm. We do not take dental images every visit unless there is sound reasoning to do so. We follow the guidelines of The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and use mindful evaluation on a case to case basis.
Our office is set up with an impressive lineup of State-of-the-art dental imaging units. We use Dexis imaging digital sensors, the Nomad imaging unit and the latest Dexis OP 3D LX CBCT imaging unit with its ultra-low dose option that is suitable for pediatric use.
🦷✨ Why do baby teeth fall out on their own?
It may look simple when a child wiggles a loose tooth, yet something fascinating happens beneath gums long before that moment. As adult teeth begin forming under baby teeth, specialized cells gradually dissolve baby-tooth roots. On dental images (x-rays) this process can look almost magical, as if roots slowly melt away. 🔬🦷
Nature follows a precise timeline. As roots dissolve, baby teeth loosen and gently fall out, making space for adult teeth ready to emerge. This natural transition helps guide proper alignment while dental arches continue developing throughout childhood. 🌱😊 When everything progresses in harmony, each new tooth arrives exactly where it belongs in a growing smile.
💬 Did your child get excited when their first tooth became wiggly? Or were they nervous about it falling out? Share your favorite tooth-fairy moment with us below! 🧚♀️💫
📲 Have questions about loose teeth, eruption timing, or your child’s smile development? Our team is happy to help guide you through every stage of growing smiles.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for happy, growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #BabyTeeth #ToothDevelopment #GrowingSmiles #KidsOralHealth
🦷⏳ Your teeth are time capsules — they record everything you’ve ever eaten.
Inside each tooth lies something like a biological diary. Layers of dentin quietly store minerals, chemical traces, and even signals connected to stress experienced throughout life. Scientists studying teeth can often uncover remarkable clues about a person’s history. 🔬🦷
From a single molar, researchers may identify where someone grew up, what kinds of foods shaped their diet, and even periods when the body faced illness or environmental stress. Teeth develop in layers over time, and those layers preserve microscopic records of life’s experiences. 🌎✨
Every smile carries more than appearance. Hidden within each tooth exists a small biography of health, growth, and the environments that shaped us along the way. 😊
💬 Did you know teeth could reveal so much about a person’s life? What surprised you most about this dental science fact? Share below!
📲 Have questions about protecting your child’s teeth as they grow? Our team is here to help guide every stage of a healthy smile.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #DentalScience #ToothFacts #HealthySmiles #KidsOralHealth
🦷 Did you know losing baby teeth too early can change your child’s smile?
Baby teeth do more than help children chew and speak. They quietly hold space that guides adult teeth into position while supporting balanced jaw development. When a baby tooth is lost too soon, nearby teeth can drift and arches may narrow. Over time this shift may affect bite balance and overall smile development.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our founder Dr. Reem focuses on protecting natural growth whenever possible. Our 3D-printed SmileKeeper™ metal-free space maintainer gently preserves that important space after early tooth loss. This modern digital solution supports proper eruption of adult teeth while helping smiles and facial development grow in harmony ✨
💬 Has your child ever lost a baby tooth earlier than expected? What questions came up for you as a parent? Share your thoughts or experience below. Your story may help another family feel prepared 💛
📲 If you have concerns about early tooth loss, contact our office to learn how we can help protect your child’s developing smile.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpaceMaintainer #EarlyToothLoss #HealthyKidsSmiles #PediatricDentalCare
✨ Our Founder, Dr. Reem Kabbarah, Shares the Heart and Vision Behind Our Practice 🦷💛
Dr. Reem Kabbarah, founder of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, is often asked what truly guides the philosophy of the practice and the care provided to every child and family. 🌸
At the heart of the answer is a commitment to promoting health and well-being. In healthcare, many professionals become focused on solving problems and finding treatments. While those solutions matter, the deeper mission of pediatric dentistry centers on helping children experience the joy of a healthy smile from the very beginning. When children learn that caring for their teeth and mouth supports confidence, comfort, and overall wellness, they begin to see their smile as something valuable they can enjoy and protect throughout life. 😊✨
The goal at Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is to empower children and families with knowledge, encouragement, and compassionate care so every child can grow up understanding that enjoying a healthy smile is something they deserve from the start. 🪥🌈
💬 What does a healthy smile mean to you or your child? Share your thoughts with us below!
📲 Looking for a supportive dental home for your child? Contact our office to learn how we help kids grow up confident in their smiles.
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
🌸 Gentle care for growing smiles.
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #HealthyKidsSmiles #PediatricDentalCare #KidsOralHealth #SmileConfidence
✨ Pediatric dentistry at its core is about guiding a child’s smile as they grow 🦷🌟
Dr. Reem, founder of Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, shares a thoughtful perspective on treatment planning rooted in innovation, evidence based care, and whole child health.
Children’s smiles are constantly changing. Teeth erupt, spacing shifts, and facial development continues year after year. Pediatric dentistry is not focused on a single moment. It considers how each decision today will influence a child’s future smile and overall wellbeing.
At Smiles, treatment planning blends clinical experience with research and the values of each family. This partnership creates care that feels personal, intentional, and supportive at every stage.
With digital scanning and 3D visualization 🖥️✨, families can better understand what is happening as their child grows. This clarity builds trust 🤝 and helps parents feel more confident in the decisions they make for their child.
Dr. Reem’s philosophy centers on whole child health 🌱 where comfort, emotional experience, and long term wellness matter just as much as clinical outcomes. Because in the end, it is never just about dentistry. It is about the child.
🔗 Read the full blog here
https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/pediatric-dentist-core-treatment-planning-innovation-evidence-based-care-whole-child-health
💬 What matters most to you when making decisions about your child’s dental care
📞 Ready to support your child’s smile with gentle and thoughtful care
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837 6453 ☎️
Email: info@smilesla.com 📧
Address: 10582 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles CA 90064 📍
🌼 Gentle care growing smiles with comfort and connection
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #EvidenceBasedCare #WholeChildHealth #DigitalDentistry #HealthySmiles
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
@solea
@sprintray
@usc.pedsdentistry
@iteroscanner
@cadcamspecialist
@exocadofficial
@zyrisisolite
🦷✨ SmileKeeper™ Space Maintainer: Protecting Room for Future Teeth
Some baby molars are far too damaged to keep in a child’s mouth. But removing a baby molar early means that its space needs to be maintained because there is a future permanent tooth developing underneath. Our 3D-printed SmileKeeper™ metal-free space maintainer gently holds room for incoming teeth while guiding natural jaw growth. This simple, metal-free and comfortable solution can prevent complex orthodontic treatments later, helping a child’s smile grow beautifully on its own. Early prevention truly creates lifelong confidence.
Has your child lost a baby tooth earlier than expected or been told space maintenance might help? 💬 Share a question or experience in the comments so other parents feel informed and supported.
If you would like guidance on space maintainers or early orthodontic prevention, contact our caring team at Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. Early planning helps protect future smiles.
📞 Phone: (310) 837-6453
📧 Email: info@smilesla.com
📍 Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle prevention, supportive care, and confident smiles growing naturally every step forward. 🌱🦷
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #SpaceMaintainer #ChildSpaceMaintainer #BabyMolarLoss #EarlyOrthodonticCare
Why is the mouth one of the most common places kids get injured? ⚽🦷
Falls, sports, playground adventures, and rough play make chipped or knocked teeth more common than many parents expect. Active kids need protection designed specifically for growing smiles.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our custom 3D-printed mouth guards are created for comfort, durability, and maximum protection. These pediatric dentist-designed guards cushion impact, help prevent fractures, and protect developing teeth during every game, tumble, and big kid adventure. Kids can play confidently while parents feel reassured their smiles stay safe.
💬 Does your child play sports or have an active lifestyle? Tell us what activities keep your kids moving or ask us when a mouth guard is recommended.
📩 Send us a DM or contact our office to learn how a custom mouth guard can help protect your child’s smile.
📞 Phone: (310) 837-6453
📧 Email: info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Protecting growing smiles through every adventure 💛
Did you know brushing alone won’t fix bad breath? 👃🦷✨
Fresh breath starts with gentle care, not harsh routines. Brushing teeth is important, but most odor-causing bacteria actually live on the tongue, not the teeth. Teaching children to gently clean their tongue each day helps remove buildup and supports the mouth’s natural freshness.
Another possible cause of persistent bad breath can be inflamed or enlarged tonsils. If you notice ongoing concerns, checking with your child’s pediatrician can help ensure tonsils are healthy and not contributing to odor.
Healthy habits, gentle guidance, and daily care all work together for happy breathing and confident smiles.
💬 Did you know tongue cleaning plays such an important role in fresh breath? Tell us what brushing habits work best in your home or ask your questions below.
📩 Send us a DM or contact our office if you’d like guidance on healthy brushing routines for your child.
📞 Phone: (310) 837-6453
📧 Email: info@smilesla.com
📍 10582 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064
Gentle care. Happy breathing. Growing smiles 💛
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #KidsOralHealth #FreshBreathTips
