Como Park Dentistry - St. Paul

Pediatric Treatment & Education in St. Paul

Ongoing care from infancy to teenage years tailored for children and their parents or guardians.
Call 651-504-8464

The difference pediatric dentistry makes

It’s our goal to start children off on the right foot with kid-friendly pediatric dental care that builds a positive relationship between the dental team and the little patient and makes kids feel engaged and empowered to care for their own oral health. Happy, healthy habits set the tone for a lifetime of dental care that they actually look forward to.

Pediatric dental care accomplishes this from the very first appointment, through kid-friendly routine teeth cleanings and at every milestone your child reaches. We’re happy to support these little patients as they discover their new teeth, lose baby teeth, grow their adult teeth and for other commonly shared experiences like getting a filling (that isn’t so scary after all!) or opting for orthodontics as young adults.

Why is children’s dental care so important?

Believe it or not, some people ask why children’s dental care is so important because the primary teeth fall out anyway! Most children have their baby teeth by the age of 3. This first set of teeth begins to fall out by about the age of 6 and, except for wisdom teeth, most children have all their adult teeth by their early teens. Children gain and lose their primary teeth during their fundamental years and the state of their dental health has many long-reaching consequences.

Poor dental health hurts

Just like grown-ups, children are also at risk of tooth decay, tooth sensitivity, infection and gum disease. Without a frame of reference, children are capable of normalizing a lot of pain and discomfort but they still feel it all the same. If you notice your child avoids hot and cold foods and drinks or chewy food, or if you notice your child only chewing on one side of their mouth they may be trying to cope with dental pain or sensitivity.

Baby teeth set the stage for adult teeth

As the baby tooth loosens and falls out, the root is reabsorbed and the space left behind acts as a guide for the replacement adult teeth. If a baby tooth needs to be extracted prematurely it can cause problems like unexpected crowding or crooked adult teeth. Maintaining strong, healthy baby teeth and healthy supportive tissue and gums gives adult teeth their strongest start.

The cornerstone of confidence

A full set of healthy teeth is essential for children learning how to speak and smile. Children will also begin to form attachments and social skills from a very young age. Having dental complications, dental pain or sensitivity will impact how they are able to express themselves and how they are perceived by their peers.

Good eating habits for growing bodies

A wide variety of different foods is especially important for children and can be challenging enough for parents of picky eaters. Children experiencing discomfort and dental pain may find themselves avoiding crunchy, chewy or textured foods. Children may start a lifetime habit of eating on one side only or eating in the wrong part of their mouth or they might not want to eat very much at all.

Your child’s first appointment

For patients of all ages, our ultimate goal is your health, your comfort and your satisfaction. In pediatric dentistry, special consideration is paid to the challenges that our youngest patients face when they sit in the chair. We’ll keep a close eye on children-specific oral health markers and milestones and we’ll talk to your child in a kid-friendly way that makes them feel safe and engaged.

Show and Tell

Some kids are adventurous explorers with a million questions. Others feel bashful and careful or even anxious about new experiences. We want all kids to feel safe and engaged and to feel positive about visiting the dentist. The best way to meet their emotional needs is to have a conversation in kid-friendly terms. We’d like to start each appointment by hearing their thoughts and concerns and we’d like to explain what we plan to do during the appointment and answer any questions they have.

Gentle Examination

With special attention paid to children-specific oral health markers, we will gently examine your child’s gums, tongue, teeth and overall health. During our exam, we’ll keep an eye on the progress of their primary teeth and adult teeth. Our exam will reveal areas of concern or tricky spots that may need some extra attention at home or at future appointments.

Keeping you in the loop

After an exam, we’ll have some advice for both the young patient and their parent or guardian. Sometimes we have extra tips and tricks to help with brushing those hard-to-reach spots at home. We’ll let you know if there are any problem areas that we plan to keep an eye on and what to look out for between appointments. Together, we make a great team!

Contact us today

to schedule an initial consultation & exam.

Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children from infancy through their teen years. They have the experience and training to care for the multitude of changes children’s mouths experience as they grow into their adult mouths.

Your child will start to cut their first teeth at around 6 months. It is recommended that children visit the dentist by the age of 1 or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. If you suspect something might be wrong or your child might be experiencing discomfort or pain, please book an appointment as soon as possible. It’s never too early for a child to have their first dental appointment.

Just like for adults, we would normally recommend coming in every 6 months to get their teeth cleaned and have a checkup unless otherwise recommended by the dentist. Some people come as often as every 3 months.

What Our Patients Are Saying

Fantastic Dental Service

No More Dental Fear!

Extremely Friendly and Smooth Appointments

    Google verified patient reviews

    S SM
    2 weeks ago
    I had a great experience with Dr. Hartman. I am usually very nervous during dental visits, but Dr. Hartman was very patient and gentle. He ensures his patients are comfortable and answers all questions.
    More
    Dr. Hartman did my cleaning so they could get me in faster even though the hygienists were booked. He and Jami were very personable, informative, and encouraging. I hadn't been to the dentist in a while and they didn't judge or make me feel bad. I will continue to go to Como Park Dental for my dentistry needs.
    More
    Jo
    2 months ago
    This was my first visit and I'm very happy I found them. Personable desk staff and dentist, excellent hygienist, and they have a great promo for brand new patients...an all inclusive price for the cleaning, exam, and ex-rays to get you started. The online form submission prior to the appointment was quite simple as well. Five stars for a very great first impression.
    More
    Steve Williams
    2 months ago
    These guys are ALL! AWESOME!! Few months ago I had a bad tooth. My wife called and they got me in for a quick look the next morning. And ended up needing to be pulled. They got me back at the end of the same day to pull the tooth. Then made an appt for 12/26/23 for a routine exam etc.. since I only had the bad tooth taken care of previously. I needed a deep cleaning and I was worried my wife may lose her Dental insurance. So, these wonderful folks got me in the the next morning 12/27/23 to do a deep cleaning. Great Atmosphere. Lots of Laughter and friendliness. Warm greeting. Just Great! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND COMO PARK DENTISTRY
    More
    Al Pearson
    2 months ago
    Everyone there was so helpful and kind! I drove 3 hours because nobody else in my area was able to see me last minute. I am even considering making them my primary dentist, it would be worth the drive. I can't thank them enough, the locals are very lucky to have such an awesome dentist!
    More
    S SM
    2 weeks ago
    I had a great experience with Dr. Hartman. I am usually very nervous during dental visits, but Dr. Hartman was very patient and gentle. He ensures his patients are comfortable and answers all questions.
    More
    Dr. Hartman did my cleaning so they could get me in faster even though the hygienists were booked. He and Jami were very personable, informative, and encouraging. I hadn't been to the dentist in a while and they didn't judge or make me feel bad. I will continue to go to Como Park Dental for my dentistry needs.
    More
    Jo
    2 months ago
    This was my first visit and I'm very happy I found them. Personable desk staff and dentist, excellent hygienist, and they have a great promo for brand new patients...an all inclusive price for the cleaning, exam, and ex-rays to get you started. The online form submission prior to the appointment was quite simple as well. Five stars for a very great first impression.
    More
    Steve Williams
    2 months ago
    These guys are ALL! AWESOME!! Few months ago I had a bad tooth. My wife called and they got me in for a quick look the next morning. And ended up needing to be pulled. They got me back at the end of the same day to pull the tooth. Then made an appt for 12/26/23 for a routine exam etc.. since I only had the bad tooth taken care of previously. I needed a deep cleaning and I was worried my wife may lose her Dental insurance. So, these wonderful folks got me in the the next morning 12/27/23 to do a deep cleaning. Great Atmosphere. Lots of Laughter and friendliness. Warm greeting. Just Great! I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND COMO PARK DENTISTRY
    More
    Al Pearson
    2 months ago
    Everyone there was so helpful and kind! I drove 3 hours because nobody else in my area was able to see me last minute. I am even considering making them my primary dentist, it would be worth the drive. I can't thank them enough, the locals are very lucky to have such an awesome dentist!
    More
      Como Park Dentistry - St. Paul

      Request an Appointment Today

      Call 651-504-8464