Pediatric dentistry

Common Dental Problems

Several considerations must be taken before any treatment is provided, and your dentist will discuss all the risks and benefits of each treatment option.

Young girl with yellow ribbons in her hair and a yellow shirt stands against a white background, looking up thoughtfully with her finger on her cheek.
common dental problems

Ankylosis

This refers to a tooth or teeth (primary or permanent) that have become ‘fused’ to the bone, preventing it or them from moving down with the bone as the jaws grow. This process can affect any teeth in the mouth, but it is more common on primary first molars and teeth that have suffered trauma (typically the incisors). Treatment can vary depending on the degree of severity of the ankylosis (how ‘sunken into the gums’ a tooth may appear). The degree of severity usually will vary depending on how early the process starts, and as a general rule, the earlier it starts, the more severe the ankylosis becomes with age. Several considerations must be taken before any treatment is provided, and your dentist will discuss all the risks and benefits of each treatment option.

Close-up of a person smiling, showing yellowed teeth and light skin, with part of their lower face and mouth visible.

Enamel Fluorosis

In severe cases of enamel fluorosis, the appearance of the teeth is marred by discoloration or brown markings. The enamel may be pitted, rough, and hard to clean. In mild cases of fluorosis, the tiny white specks or streaks are often unnoticeable.

A close-up of a person's lower lip being pulled down to reveal a small, round, white ulcer or sore on the inner lip lining.

Mucocele

This is a common benign lesion in children and adolescents that results from the rupture of the excretory ducts (very small tubes) that deliver saliva to the top tissues of the lips. More than 75% of mucoceles are located on the lower lip and their size and color may vary, however, they tend to be relatively painless for the most part. Most of the time, patients report that these “bumps” grow until they burst spontaneously, leaving small ulcers that heal within a few days. This does not mean the lesion is gone, as they often tend to re-appear weeks or months later. Most dentists will recommend surgical treatment for these lesions.

Close-up of an open mouth showing upper and lower teeth with braces and a raised, round lesion on the underside of the tongue.

Ranula

This is a relatively uncommon benign cyst in children and adolescents that appears on the floor of the mouth as a result of blockage of the salivary duct located under the tongue. Just like other mucous retention cysts (formed by pooled saliva), Ranulas tend to be relatively painless; however, most of them will require surgical treatment. Your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon for evaluation and treatment.

Why families choose us

Why Choose Our Practice

Kind & Hospitable

We designed the new practice with children in mind! From the toys and video games in our colorful waiting room to our children-themed treatment rooms, we provide our patients with a fun, comfortable, and enjoyable dental experience.

Flexible Financing Options

No Insurance, no problem! At Redwood Smiles Children’s Dentistry & Orthodontics, we strive to make dental care accessible for all children and will do our utmost to work with our patients to create affordable payment plans.

Convenient Location

We serve the great people of Redwood City. Please don’t hesitate to give us a call, and we will gladly assist you with driving instructions from your area. All we ask is that you please drive carefully.

Reviews

What the Monsters Say!

We are so happy to share what our amazing patients have had to say about their experience at Redwood Smiles! We can’t wait to help you smile.

“I really enjoyed the experience here. They made my teeth look awesome and the workers are super nice!”

Mariela C. · Review on Google

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Excellent
Redwood Smiles4.4
Based on 428 reviews
Shalisha was amazing! Not only so sweet with my daughter but took her time explaining how she can do a better job keeping her teeth clean and showing her how to do it. I know kids can be freaked out going to the dentist so having hygienists like her make a difference!
Response from the owner:Hi Rosanne, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to rate us.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback!
Redwood Smiles son un personal muy amable atienden muy bien en inglés y español lo recomiendo al 100
Response from the owner:Hi Hilda, we’re delighted to hear your positive comments. Thank you for your review!
I love bringing my son for his dentist appointments the staff is super friendly and attentive. We definitely enjoy the visit!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Luna. We’re so glad to hear you had a great experience!
I love the service for my kids. Shalisha and Marelin were awesome and made my sons feel safe and comfortable.
Response from the owner:Hi Brenda, we appreciate your positive feedback. It means a lot to us!
I enjoyed my experience at Redwood Smiles, I was running a little late they were able to still get me in and all the workers were so nice and understanding. Shalisha was my helper she was the best making sure that i was satisfied with the work😊.
Response from the owner:Hi Jose, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!
me gusta la atencion de las personas que atienden en la clinica. y el servicio.
Response from the owner:Muchas gracias, Reyna. ¡Es maravilloso escuchar tus comentarios positivos!
The best experience ever Shalisha was amazing supper cool and over all I loved the experience
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Yasmin. It’s wonderful to hear your positive thoughts!
We went to the dentist today, and Salisha was very patient with my son and very kind. I was pleased with the work she had done today.
Response from the owner:Hi Yesi, we appreciate your kind words and are glad we could make a difference!
Thank you Shalisha 😊 for the way you treat us very nicely and explaining to me everything . My daughter likes coming to this dentist 🦷
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Erica. We’re thrilled you had a great experience with our team!
Always a pleasant experience at Redwood Smiles. We saw Shalisha today and she was so sweet and patient.
Response from the owner:Hi Allana, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!
Shalisha did an amazing job during my child's dental hygiene appointment. She was incredibly patient, friendly, and made my kid feel comfortable throughout the entire visit. We really appreciate the excellent care she provided and would highly recommend her to other families!
Response from the owner:Hi Iris, we appreciate your positive feedback. It means a lot to us!
Virginia was very nice and helpful in our visit today
Response from the owner:Thank you, Gladis!
The team is always so professional and nice. The take such good care of my son at every visit.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Tori. We’re so glad to hear you had a great experience!
Always really friendly and a really clean place. Virginia is super sweet and knows how to calm my daughter’s nerves.
Response from the owner:Hi Laura, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!
Marelin was so friendly and reassuring. Also very knowledgeable. My kids love going to the dentist!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much, Andrea. It’s wonderful to hear your positive thoughts!
Love coming here. Virginia was great! Gentle, firm and friendly. We love coming here and have for years. Great to schedule multiple kids at same time. Also love Dr. Sucheta.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience, Shital. It means so much to us!
Shalisha is great and has great service. Amazing.
Response from the owner:Hi Nathaly, we appreciate your positive feedback. It means a lot to us!
I like it i’ve been coming for years
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful review, Alex. We’re thrilled you had a great experience with our team!
Virginia is friendly and she did an excellent job with my daughter’s periodic teeth cleaning.
Response from the owner:Hi Hun, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!
Me a gustado siempre el buen trato asia mis hijos en redwood smiles Me gusta como atienden alos niños
Response from the owner:Hola Cristina, agradecemos tus comentarios positivos. ¡Significan mucho para nosotros!
My 2 kids have been coming to Redwood smiles for years and we all love it. Today my son came in for teeth cleaning and Virginia was so sweet and friendly with us. Virginia was gentle and made my son feel comfortable throughout it all. Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Nohemy. We’re so glad to hear you had a great experience!
Es un lugar muy limpio todo el personal es muy amable, todos trabajan en equipo siempre dan lo mejor para que los pacientes tengan una linda sonrisa.. otro punto muy importante siempre están al pendiente de las citas de nuestros hijos no queda mas que agradecer todo lo que haces día a día por sus pacientes ♥️
Response from the owner:Hola Yolanda, agradecemos tus comentarios positivos. ¡Significan mucho para nosotros!
Shalisha gave my daughter a great experience, and all the details were mentioned about my daughters dental hygiene, we always get seen fast even if we come in Early and that’s amazing.
Response from the owner:Hi Venancio, we’re grateful for your kind review. Your feedback brightens our day!

Appointments

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The doctor would love to meet you and your family and provide you with the dental care you deserve!

We are proud to offer the latest pediatric dental care advancements and techniques.

160 Birch Street, Suite A, Redwood City, CA 94062 · (650) 369-3695

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