Dr. Imaney Ahmad, DMD Dentist in Herndon VA

(703) 793-0291

Call Us Today!

Village Center at Dulles | 2465 Centreville Rd. J15 | Herndon, VA

Dr. Imaney Ahmad, DMD Dentist in Herndon VA > Services > Pediatric Dentistry

Improve your smile today – call to schedule a consultation!

Claim Now!

Pediatric Dentistry

Getting your child off to a good start is important to ensure good dental habits last throughout their life. Many cases of dental fear and anxiety begin in childhood and can prevent your child from seeking dental care when they need it – even well into their adulthood.

At Tooth Doc Family Dentistry, your preferred dental office in Herndon, VA, we understand the importance of building a good relationship between your child and the dentist from a young age.

Your Child's First Dental Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit within six months of your child's first tooth coming in or no later than one year of age. Many find this surprisingly young, but this serves to cultivate a positive association between your child and the dentist from a very young age.

Another reason why we emphasize early visits is because of the recent rise in the incidence of toddler tooth decay, known as "baby bottle caries." Treating this decay early prevents a painful cavity and teaches your child the importance of good oral health.

During the first "well baby" visit, we will allow your child to explore the dental examination area. You can help prepare your child for this visit by playing dentist: get your child to practice “opening wide” while you shine a flashlight in their mouth and count their teeth. Dr. Ahmad will perform an examination to ensure there are no early signs of decay.

Meeting the Unique Needs of Children in Dentistry

Our Herndon dental office staff has several years of experience in pediatric dentistry. We understand the special needs and challenges of treating children and how to meet those needs in a positive manner. Your children are encouraged to ask questions and learn more about how the dentist keeps their teeth clean and healthy. Regular pediatric exams also ensure that your child learns proper home care techniques at a young age.

If your child has special needs or any other requirements, we are happy to accommodate them. Dr. Ahmad is experienced in working with special needs patients, and we can make arrangements to ensure your child's visit is a success. Just be sure to let us know what we can do to make things easier for you and your child.

Are Sealants a Good Idea?

While we do our best to ensure our children eat a healthy diet and take care of their teeth, most children will sneak a sugary treat now and again, and their brushing habits may not be perfect yet. To give them an extra layer of protection against decay, we recommend dental sealants in many cases.

Dental sealants are a thin, protective film applied to the teeth, most commonly the permanent molars and pre-molars. These sealants should be applied as soon as your child's permanent molars have grown in for the greatest effectiveness. Correctly applied dental sealants can help prevent decay for up to ten years, with regular check-ups to ensure the sealant is still in place.

Remember, dental sealants are not a replacement for good oral care! Supervise your child during their nightly brushing and flossing routine to ensure they are properly caring for their teeth.

Keep Your Child's Teeth Healthy and Strong with Pediatric Treatments

Our Herndon dental office offers a full range of pediatric services from cleanings and sealants to extensive restorations, depending on the needs of your child. Call our office today to schedule an appointment and learn more about the pediatric services available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you accept Medicaid patients?

Yes, we do! We are proud to be a provider of the Smiles for Children program through the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Smiles for Children covers diagnostic, preventative, restorative, and surgical dental procedures for Medicaid, FAMIS, and FAMIS Plus children up to age 21, as well as orthodontia services. The program also provides limited coverage for adults ages 21 and up, providing coverage for some medically necessary oral surgery services.

Enrollment in this program is automatic for any child covered by VA Medicaid, FAMIS, or FAMIS Plus. There is no special enrollment process or a separate dental coverage card. There are no out-of-pocket costs for your child's covered dental treatments through the Smiles for Children program.

This program covers a wide range of services in addition to exams and cleanings, including flouride treatments, sealants, extractions, anesthesia, crowns, root canals, x-rays, fillings, and oral disease services.

Coverage for adults over 21 years of age is extremely limited and includes extraction of teeth for severe abscesses that may complicate a medical condition or contribute to poor general health, as well as coverage of non-dental oral surgeries for birth defects, removal of cysts and tumors not related to your teeth, biopsies for possible malignancies within the mouth, and repair of traumatic wounds.

If you have any questions about covered treatments or need to schedule an appointment under the Smiles for Children program, call our office today.

What's the youngest age for a child to come to the dentist?

Starting your child off right with the dentist is important. We recommend your child's first “well-baby” dental exam as soon as their first tooth grows in or no later than one year of age. Starting dental visits at a young age not only helps prevent dental caries in baby teeth but also teaches your child that a trip to the dentist is nothing to be afraid of.

Cavities in toddlers are becoming more prevalent, and it's important to treat these cavities, even in baby teeth. Untreated cavities can not only lead to pain, discomfort, and swelling, but baby teeth also serve important functions in ensuring your child's permanent teeth grow in properly.

If a baby tooth is lost early and the space is not maintained, permanent teeth can grow in improperly, resulting in crowded teeth, uneven gaps, and crooked teeth. Once the permanent teeth come in, the only way to fix these problems is through orthodontic treatment.

Many adults with a fear of dentists developed this fear as children. Keeping a positive attitude about the dentist, talking about good dental health with your kids, and creating a friendly relationship between your children and our dental staff will all help keep the chances of fear of the dentist from following them into adulthood. Dr. Ahmad also uses the "tell, show, do" method when performing dental procedures, helping your child to understand what is happening and allay their fear of the unknown.

If your child has their first tooth or is a year old and has not yet seen the dentist, call today to schedule their first visit.

Meet Our Doctor:

Imaney N. Ahmad, DMD

Dr. Ahmad proudly serves patients in the Herndon, VA area, including Reston and Sterling. Originally from Central Florida, Dr. Ahmad graduated from Temple Kornberg School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, where she obtained her doctorate in dental medicine. There, she gained a solid clinical foundation working on the nation’s largest dental school patient population with a focus on the complex dental needs of the underserved and uninsured in North Philadelphia.

As a practitioner, Dr. Ahmad is a strong believer in preventive dentistry and focuses on helping her patients maintain a healthy oral ...

Featured Blog Posts - Pediatric Dentistry

February 25, 2023

Reasons to Visit a Pediatric Dentist in Herndon, VA

Taking your child to the dentist can be a daunting task for parents, but it's important to remember that regular dental check-ups are crucial for ...

Top Tips for Keeping Your Teeth Healthy and Strong

As a parent, ensuring that your family's dental health is in top condition is essential to maintaining their overall health and well-being. From regular brushing ...

How to Prevent Cavities

Teeth free from tooth cavities and decay do not happen overnight. There is a list of conscious habits and routines that can be associated with having ...