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.
Here`s a sweet surprise for new parents: baby`s first dental visit can happen before a full smile even shows up! 🍼🦷
The recommended time? Age ONE, or within six months of that first tooth peeking through. It`s not about looking for problems, it`s about setting your baby up so those problems never get the chance to start.
One early visit means we can catch feeding habits early, spot little things months ahead of time, and help your baby feel right at home in the dental chair from the very beginning 😌
Your baby should see a dentist before their first tooth even fully comes in. When did your little one have their first visit? We`d love to hear! 💬
Ready to get started? Contact our office to book baby`s first visit 📞
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 #BabyFirstDentalVisit #InfantDentistWestLA #PediatricDentistLosAngeles #FirstToothCare
Every sip of juice begins a cycle that affects enamel 🍊
After sugar is consumed, bacteria create acids that temporarily soften the surface of the teeth. This process can last around 20 to 30 minutes.
When sipping happens throughout the day, that cycle continues repeatedly, giving teeth less time to recover 💧
Spacing drinks and choosing water in between helps the mouth return to balance.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on small daily habits that support long term oral health ✨
We’re here to help you build simple routines that protect your child’s smile
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Thoughtful care for every stage of growth 🌱
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #acidattack #cavities #sugarandteeth #oralhealth
Great care begins with great collaboration. 🤝✨
We were honored to welcome an inspiring group of pediatric colleagues to Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for our first Pediatricians Evening—an evening dedicated to strengthening the partnership between pediatric medicine and pediatric dentistry.
As the CSPD Liaison to AAP Chapter 2, our founder, Dr. Reem, is incredibly passionate about fostering these meaningful connections. Together, we shared ideas, toured our office, and explored opportunities for future collaboration—including the possibility of a webinar or podcast-style Q&A to continue these conversations for the benefit of the children and families we serve.
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful guests and team:
Dr. Alexander Alcaraz (Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC)
@ostrowusc
Dr. Blake Alban (UCLA Health)
@UCLAHealth
Dr. Noël Salyer, Dr. Karina Eastman, and Dr. Lily Marouf (Pacific Ocean Pediatrics)
@PacificOceanPediatrics
Dr. Ivy Vuong (Our amazing Smiles orthodontist)
@dr.ivyortho
Our fantastic team members, Sejal Thapa and Jocelyn Papaqui
Dr. Reem’s daughter, Isabel, who proudly welcomed our guests and gave tours of Smiles with so much warmth and enthusiasm!
A special thank you to Dr. Reem’s AAP Chapter 2 counterpart, Dr. Thomas Torices, for your encouragement and support of this collaboration. Although you couldn’t join us in person, your message beautifully reflected the spirit of the evening. Wishing you a speedy recovery!
This is just the beginning. Here’s to building stronger relationships, sharing knowledge across disciplines, and working together to help every child thrive. 🦷🚀
#PediatricDentistry #Pediatrics #InterdisciplinaryCare #Collaboration #ChildHealth #CSPD #AAP #USCDentistry #UCLAHealth #PacificOceanPediatrics #SmilesPediatricDentistry
🦷 PrintiSmile™ A Gentle, 3D-Printed Solution for Missing Baby Front Teeth
Losing a front baby tooth from an accident or infection can be emotional for both children and parents. 💛
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, our founder, Dr. Reem Kabbarah, developed PrintiSmile™—an innovative, digitally designed, 3D-printed solution that gently replaces missing baby front teeth.
Using advanced digital scanning, custom CAD design, and in-house 3D printing, every PrintiSmile™ appliance is made specifically for your child for a comfortable, natural-looking fit. ✨
In her latest blog, Dr. Reem explains:
🦷 What PrintiSmile™ is
💻 How digital scanning and 3D printing work together
👨👩👧 How families are involved every step of the way
😊 How PrintiSmile™ helps restore confidence while waiting for permanent teeth to grow in
📖 Read the full article here:
https://smilesla.com/pediatric-dentistry-orthodontics/printismile-3d-printed-baby-front-teeth
________________________________________
🏥 About Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides compassionate, technology-driven dental and orthodontic care for infants, children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs.
Founded by Dr. Reem Kabbarah, our West Los Angeles practice combines advanced digital dentistry with a gentle, child-centered approach to help every child smile with confidence. 💙
📍 West Los Angeles, CA
📞 (310) 837-6453
🌐 https://smilesla.com
#PrintiSmile #PediatricDentistry #PediatricDentist #3DPrintedDentistry #MissingBabyTeeth #LosAngelesPediatricDentist
#babyteethreplacement
#3dprinted
#sprintray
@exocadofficial
@sprintray
@cadcamspecialist
@iteroscanner
Teeth form in layers over time 🦷🌿
As teeth develop, they build layer by layer, similar to growth rings.
These layers can reflect stages of development and give insight into how teeth formed. Changes in tooth development can affect the final formation of the tooth in either shape or hardness, something we would like to address as early as a tooth begins erupting into the mouth.
This is one of the reasons dental checkups are so important during childhood.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on early detection and gentle guidance to support healthy development ✨
Did you know teeth form in layers like this? Share what surprised you below 💬
If you’d like to learn more about your child’s dental development, contact our office to schedule a visit 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Supporting healthy smiles every step of the way 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#toothdevelopment
#enamel
#oralhealth
Saliva does more than keep the mouth comfortable 💧🦷
It contains calcium and phosphate, natural minerals that help repair and strengthen early areas of enamel before damage progresses.
This process, called remineralization, supports the teeth throughout the day in a quiet and continuous way.
When the mouth has time to rest between eating, saliva can work more effectively to restore balance.
Simple habits like staying well hydrated and allowing breaks between snacks can support this natural protection.
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on supporting the body’s natural ability to care for and protect your child’s smile ✨
Our team is here to guide you with thoughtful care that feels calm, supportive, and clear
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Helping little smiles stay strong in natural ways 🌿
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #saliva #remineralization #oralhealth #cavityprevention
Molars are where cavities most often begin 🦷🍬
Molars have deep grooves and pits designed to help grind food.
But those same grooves can trap food particles and bacteria, making them harder to clean.
Even with brushing, those tiny grooves can hold onto plaque longer than smoother surfaces.
That’s why molars are more cavity-prone, especially in children.
Dental sealants help protect these areas by sealing the grooves and blocking bacteria from settling in ✨
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on protecting these high-risk areas early 🌿
Did you know molars are the most cavity-prone teeth? Share below 💬
If you’d like to protect your child’s teeth early, contact our office to schedule a visit 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Protecting smiles with thoughtful care 💙
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics
#kidsdentist
#PediatricDentist
#PediatricOrthodontist
#WestLosAngeles
#molars
#cavities
#dentalsealants
#toothdecay
Teeth can last for thousands of years 🦷⏳
Because enamel is highly mineralized, it can remain long after other parts of the body have broken down. Scientists have discovered teeth that are over a million years old.
This is one of the reasons teeth are studied to understand early human life and environments 🌍
That same natural strength protects your child’s smile every day with the right care and support.
Here are three simple things to help your child’s teeth to last
• Creating consistent gentle brushing routines morning and night
• Offering foods like cheese after meals to help neutralize acids and support enamel
• Encouraging water throughout the day and keeping regular dental checkups
At Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we focus on preserving that strength through thoughtful preventive care at every stage of growth ✨
Our team is here to support your child’s smile with warmth, clarity, and guidance
To schedule a visit, contact our office 📞
Smiles Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics
Phone: (310) 837-6453
Email: info@smilesla.com
Address: 10582 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Nurturing strong, healthy smiles with gentle care 🌿
#SmilesPediatricDentistryandOrthodontics #kidsdentist #PediatricDentist #PediatricOrthodontist #WestLosAngeles #toothenamel #cavityprevention #oralhealth #healthysmiles
