Children's dentistry in University Heights & Willowick
We see the whole child
Growing Smiles cares for your child from their first tooth, in our offices built for kids. You’re welcome to stay with your child for the whole visit.
Se habla español. Now scheduling new patients in Willowick.
Bring your child in by their first birthday
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and our dentists recommend a first dental visit by age one, or once your child has two top and two bottom teeth.
If your older child has never been to a dentist, it isn't too late. We'll check that their teeth and gums are developing the way they should.
What happens at the first visit?
You can stay in the room the whole time!
- We examine your child's teeth and gums
- We clean their teeth and apply fluoride varnish
- We take X-rays only if your child's age or the exam calls for them
- We go over what we found and talk with you about brushing, preventing cavities, and habits like thumbsucking
Fill out forms before you come
Once you book your appointment, complete these online forms so check-in goes quickly. Please only fill them out if you’ve scheduled an appointment with us.
Insurance & payment
- We accept most dental insurance plans and work to get the most out of your child's benefits. Your provider determines what your benefits cover.
- No dental insurance? Ask us about flexible payment options. Every child in our community should get access to great dental care.
- Pay with cash, checks, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express and Flex Spending debit cards.
Need to cancel?
Please give us at least 24 hours' notice. If you miss an appointment or cancel same-day, you’ll get charged a $35 fee.
Baby teeth hold the place for adult teeth
You might’ve heard that baby teeth don't matter because they fall out anyway. They matter a lot. Healthy baby teeth:
- Keep space open so permanent teeth come in where they should
- Help the jaw and facial muscles develop
- Let your child chew, speak clearly and smile without feeling self-conscious
Untreated cavities in baby teeth often lead to problems in the adult teeth that follow.
Your child’s mouth changes constantly as teeth come in, fall out and get replaced. See us to watch those changes at every visit and treat problems early.
The waiting room, the decor and the way we talk a nervous child into the chair all revolve around kids.
Our treatments
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X-rays
Taken only when your child's age or exam calls for them, to find cavities between teeth and check teeth that haven't come in yet.
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Fluoride
A varnish painted on the teeth that makes enamel harder for cavities to break through.
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Sealants
A thin coating that seals the grooves on back teeth, where food and bacteria collect.
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White fillings
Tooth-colored fillings that repair a cavity.
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Crowns
A cap that covers and protects a tooth that's too damaged for a filling.
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Spacers
Space maintainers that hold room for a permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost early.
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Root canal
Treatment for an infected or injured tooth nerve, so the tooth can be kept instead of pulled.
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Nitrous
Laughing gas, breathed through a small nose mask, that helps an anxious child relax during treatment. (They stay awake and talking.)
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Sedation
For children who need more help staying calm, or need a longer treatment. We'll talk through the options with you first.
If your child hurts a tooth
Call (216) 395-7336 right away.
If your child's face is swollen from a tooth infection, or bleeding won't stop after 15 minutes of pressure, go to a hospital emergency room.
Swelling
Facial swelling from a tooth infection can be life-threatening. Take your child to a hospital emergency room right away and hold a cold compress on the face on the way. Then call us for an emergency appointment so we can find and treat the infection.
Cut or bitten tongue, lip or cheek
Press gently but firmly on the area with clean gauze or cloth. If the bleeding hasn't stopped after 15 minutes, go to the emergency room. Put a cold compress on any swelling or bruising, keep your child calm, and call us so we can check the teeth, jaw and surrounding tissue.
Bleeding after a baby tooth falls out
Have your child bite on clean, folded gauze or cloth for 15 minutes while resting. Repeat if needed.
Knocked-out baby tooth
Do not put a baby tooth back in. It can damage the permanent tooth growing underneath. Bring your child in so we can check the other teeth, the jaw and the gums.
Knocked-out permanent tooth
Call a dentist immediately, because time matters. Find the tooth, hold it by the crown (not the root) and gently rinse off dirt with room-temperature water without scrubbing.
Put it back in the socket and have your child hold it there. If you can't, put the tooth in a cup of milk and bring it with you.
Broken tooth
Rinse the area with warm water and hold a cold compress on the face to keep swelling down. Call us right away so we can check for other injuries, prevent infection and repair the tooth.
Cold sores and canker sores
These usually heal in 7 to 14 days, and pharmacy products can ease the pain. Let us know if sores come back often or last longer than usual. Some serious conditions start as mouth sores and need prescription treatment.
Preventing injuries
Most tooth injuries happen in bathtubs, on tile floors, coffee tables and stairs, at pools and playgrounds, and on bikes, scooters and trampolines, or playing sports like basketball and baseball. We offer professionally fitted mouthguards for kids who play sports.
FAQs from parents
How often should my child see the dentist?
Every six months after the first visit, which should happen by their first birthday. That's the same schedule adults follow.
When should my child start using toothpaste?
As soon as the first tooth comes in. Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice until age three, then a pea-sized amount from ages three to six.
What dental problems are common in children?
Cavities are the most common, from sugary foods, drinks and missed brushing. Babies can get baby bottle tooth decay from falling asleep with milk or juice.
We also see swollen, bleeding gums (gingivitis), and thumb or pacifier habits that push teeth out of line once they come in. And with 20 baby teeth making way for 32 permanent ones, bite and spacing problems can show up early.
My child is scared of the dentist, or has special needs. Can you help?
Yes. We treat children with all kinds of needs. Call us before the visit and we'll talk through your concerns and share tips to make the day go smoothly.
Do you have Spanish-speaking staff?
Sí, se habla español.
We're hiring!
If you'd like to work with kids at Growing Smiles, email your resume to hr@growingsmilesoh.com.
Request an appointment
Submit this form and we'll contact you to find a time that works.
Need to talk to someone now? Call (216) 395-PEDO (7336).
*Please don't include health details in this form. We'll talk about your child's needs when we call you back.
University Heights
13990 Cedar Rd., Suite B
University Heights, OH 44118
- Phone
- (216) 395-7336
- Fax
- (216) 417-5651