Why Westmont Families Choose Art Dentistree for Their Kids

Choosing the right dental home for your child matters. At Art Dentistree, we’re a general and family dental practice that welcomes children alongside their parents — which means one office, one trusted team, and one schedule for the whole family. Here’s what sets our approach apart:

• Same-day family appointments. Parents and kids can often be seen back-to-back, saving you a second trip.
• Calm, unhurried first visits. We take the time to introduce young children to the chair, the tools, and the team — no pressure, no rushed exams.
• Honest, conservative care. We recommend treatment only when it’s truly needed. Watchful waiting on small concerns is often the right call for growing mouths.
• Clear communication with parents. You’ll always be in the room and in the loop — no decisions made without you.
• Specialist referrals when appropriate. For very young children, kids with special healthcare needs, or cases requiring sedation, we’ll refer to a trusted pediatric dentistry specialist. Your child’s wellbeing comes before keeping the appointment in-house.

When Should My Child See the Dentist?

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both recommend a first dental visit by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. Early visits aren’t about doing dental work; they’re about getting your child comfortable, checking development, and giving you, the parent, expert guidance on brushing, fluoride, pacifiers, thumb-sucking, and nutrition.

From there, most children do well with cleanings and exams every six months, just like adults. We’ll personalize the schedule if your child has higher cavity risk or specific developmental considerations.

Children’s Dental Services We Offer

Cleanings & Exams

A child’s six-month cleaning is shorter, gentler, and more conversational than an adult’s. We use kid-sized instruments, explain everything in age-appropriate language (“Mr. Thirsty,” “the tooth counter,” “the tickle brush”), and let children hold the mirror so they’re part of the process. Each visit includes a thorough exam, a check of bite and jaw development, and a personalized home-care plan you can actually follow.

Sealants & Fluoride

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth — usually the first molars around age 6 and the second molars around age 12. They’re painless, take only a few minutes per tooth, and can significantly reduce the risk of cavities in the deep grooves where toothbrush bristles can’t reach. We also offer in-office fluoride varnish treatments for kids who would benefit from extra cavity protection.

Kid-Friendly Fillings

When a cavity does happen, we use tooth-colored composite fillings — never silver amalgam. The procedure is explained in simple, non-scary terms (“we’re going to clean out the sugar bug and put in a special paint”), and we use the smallest effective amount of local anesthesia. Most children tolerate fillings well with nothing more than topical numbing gel and a gentle approach. For children with significant anxiety or extensive treatment needs, we’ll discuss whether a referral to a specialist offering sedation is the better path.

Early Orthodontic Evaluation & Invisalign Teen

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic screening by age 7. We screen for crowding, crossbites, and jaw development at every checkup, and we’ll let you know if and when a consultation makes sense. For older kids and teens with mild-to-moderate alignment issues, we offer Invisalign Teen — clear aligners designed specifically for younger patients, with built-in compliance indicators and replacement aligners included.

Dental Emergencies for Kids

Knocked-out tooth on the playground? Cracked tooth from a fall? A toothache that woke your child up at 2 a.m.? Call us first — 630-793-1195. We hold same-day emergency slots and will walk you through immediate first-aid steps over the phone while you head our way. For a permanent tooth that’s been knocked out, time matters: keep the tooth moist (milk is ideal) and aim to be seen within 30–60 minutes for the best chance of saving it.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Visit

1. A relaxed welcome. No white-coat surprises. We meet your child in our waiting area and walk back together.
2. A tour of the chair. Young kids get to see, touch, and try out the chair, the light, and the “tooth counter” before anything happens.
3. A gentle exam. Dr. Marya counts teeth, checks gums and bite, and looks for any early concerns. For very young children, this often happens “knee-to-knee” with you holding them.
4. A cleaning, if your child is ready. If not, no problem — we’ll try again at the next visit. Building trust comes first.
5. A parent debrief. Before you leave, we’ll go over what we saw, what (if anything) needs follow-up, brushing and flossing tips for your child’s age, and any nutrition or habit guidance.

Plan on about 45 minutes for a first visit. Bring a list of any medications, your insurance card, and your child’s favorite small comfort item if it helps.

Helping an Anxious or Reluctant Child

Dental fear in children is common and almost always temporary. A few things that help, both before the visit and in the chair:

• Keep your own language neutral. Avoid words like “shot,” “hurt,” “drill,” or “pull” — even reassuring phrases like “it won’t hurt” can plant the idea.
• Read a kids’ book about going to the dentist a few days before.
• Schedule morning appointments when kids are rested and cooperative.
• Let us lead the conversation in the chair. We’ve done this thousands of times and have specific language and pacing that works.

If your child has significant dental anxiety, sensory sensitivities, or special healthcare needs, please tell us when you book — we’ll plan extra time, and if we believe a pediatric dentistry specialist with sedation options would be a better fit for your child, we’ll say so and help you find one.

Insurance & Payment Options

We accept most major PPO dental plans and will verify your child’s benefits before the visit so there are no surprises at checkout. For families without dental insurance, or for treatment beyond what insurance covers, we offer:

• Sunbit financing — soft credit check, monthly payments, fast approval.
• CareCredit — established healthcare financing with 0% promotional options for qualifying balances.
• In-office membership plan — predictable annual pricing for families without insurance. Ask us for details.

Convenient for Westmont, Hinsdale, Downers Grove & Surrounding Families

Art Dentistree is located at 6319 Fairview Ave, Suite 103, Westmont, IL 60559 — easy to reach from Hinsdale, Downers Grove, Burr Ridge, Darien, and Oak Brook. We offer early-morning and after-school appointments to fit around the school day. Se habla español — visite también nuestra página en español.

Book Your Child’s Visit
Call 630-793-1195

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should my child first see the dentist?

By age 1, or within six months of the first tooth coming in — whichever happens first. Early visits are short, gentle, and focused on getting your child comfortable and giving you guidance as a parent.

Is Art Dentistree a pediatric dental specialist?

No. We are a general and family dental practice, and Dr. Marya is a general dentist who happily sees children as part of comprehensive family care. For very young children, children with special healthcare needs, or cases requiring sedation, we’ll refer to a board-certified pediatric dentist when that’s the right fit for your child.

How often should my child have a cleaning?

Every six months is the standard recommendation for most healthy children. We may suggest a shorter or longer interval based on your child’s individual cavity risk and developmental needs.

Are dental X-rays safe for kids?

Yes. Modern digital dental X-rays use very low radiation doses — far less than older film X-rays — and we only take them when there’s a clear clinical reason. Children always wear a lead apron with thyroid collar during imaging.

What if my child won’t open their mouth or cooperate?

That’s completely normal, especially under age 4. We never force a visit. We’ll do what we can, build trust, and try again next time. Most children warm up within one to three visits.

Can my child get Invisalign?

Older children and teens with most permanent teeth in place may be candidates for Invisalign Teen. We’ll evaluate at their checkup and let you know if and when a consultation makes sense. Learn more on our Invisalign page.