Christopher B. Wong, DDSPalo Alto Dentistry

Kids and teens

Children’s dentistry in Palo Alto

Calm, age-appropriate visits that help kids build healthy habits and positive experiences from the start. Dr. Christopher B. Wong and our team care for kids, teens, and parents.

Request a visit(650) 326-6319
382 five-star Google reviewsFirst visits by age one
The office lounge, with a reef aquarium and leather chairs
One dental homeKids, teens, and parents can all see the same team.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Christopher B. Wong · Updated

First visit
By age one, or 6 months after the first tooth
Checkups
Every six months for most kids
Prevention
Fluoride and sealants when they help
Teens
Sports guards, wisdom teeth, Invisalign

When to come in

Is it time for a kids’ visit?

  • Your child is turning one, or their first tooth came in six months ago
  • It’s been six months since their last checkup
  • They’re nervous about the dentist and need a calm, unhurried visit
  • You’d like brushing or snack advice that fits real life
  • Your teen plays sports, has crowding, or wisdom teeth on the way

In plain language

What is children’s dentistry?

Children’s dentistry is preventive, age-appropriate dental care for kids and teens. Visits include a gentle cleaning, a careful cavity and gum check, and guidance on brushing and flossing that matches your child’s age and coordination.

We’re a general family practice, so Dr. Wong and the team see kids, teens, and parents. We also monitor how baby teeth are spacing and how permanent teeth are coming in; early insight into crowding or bite issues gives families more options later.

Care that grows with them

From first tooth to teens

Children are more prone to cavities, so prevention comes first: professional cleanings, fluoride recommendations, and sealants when appropriate.

  • From age one

    Little ones and first visits

    Short, friendly visits that help kids get comfortable, plus practical coaching for parents on brushing and nutrition.

  • Prevention first

    School-age kids

    Enamel is thinner and brushing habits are still developing, so we focus on cleanings, fluoride advice, and sealants when appropriate.
    Are sealants worth it?

  • Changing needs

    Teens

    Sports mouthguards, wisdom-tooth monitoring, and orthodontic planning, including clear aligners when they’re a good fit.
    Invisalign for teens

What to expect

What happens at a children’s visit

  1. 1

    A calm hello

    We meet your child (and you) and explain what we’ll do in simple terms, so kids feel involved and safe.
  2. 2

    Tell, show, do

    We show each tool before we use it and move at your child’s pace. Nervous kids are common, and we never rush.
  3. 3

    A gentle cleaning and check

    A gentle cleaning, a careful cavity and gum check, and a look at how baby teeth are spacing and permanent teeth are coming in.
  4. 4

    Tips that fit your family

    Brushing and flossing guidance matched to your child’s age and coordination, nutrition tips that work for busy schedules, and fluoride or sealants if they’d help.

If a tooth gets knocked out

Call the office right away; we reserve time for urgent visits. See emergency dental care for what to do on the way in.

What to do, step by step

Comfort comes first

  • Kid-friendly explanations

    Age-appropriate words, short explanations, and plenty of positive reinforcement.

  • At your child’s pace

    A calm tell-show-do approach that builds trust visit by visit.

  • Early insight

    Spotting crowding or bite issues early gives families more options later.

  • One dental home

    Parents and kids can see the same team, from a first tooth through the teen years and beyond.

Cost, insurance & payment

Kids’ visit cost and insurance

Checkups and cleanings are preventive care, which most PPO plans cover for children. We check your benefits before the visit, so there are no surprises.

What affects your cost

  • Your child’s age and which preventive care is due
  • Whether X-rays, fluoride, or sealants are recommended
  • Any fillings needed for baby or adult teeth
  • Your plan’s preventive benefits and visit frequency

  • Have PPO insurance?

    We’re out-of-network, but most PPO plans still pay a share of your care here. Send us your plan and we’ll check your benefits and explain your portion before treatment.

  • No dental insurance?

    Ask about our in-house dental plan, which offers savings on preventive care and treatment.

  • Ways to pay

    We accept Visa, MasterCard, and FSA/HSA funds.

Request a visitHow out-of-network coverage works

Patient reviews

Families who stay

Reviews from families and from patients who started coming here as kids.

All 382 Google reviews

  • “Been going here for 10+ years since I was a kid. Great establishment and excellent teeth cleaning & guidance!”

    Ashley ChungA patient since childhood

  • “My whole family comes here and we feel very taken care of. Dr. Wong and his staff are the best.”

    Irma GaliA family of patients

  • “been receiving quality care since i was a kid - over 30 years. recommend!”

    Seth LeslieA patient for 30+ years

Your care team

Who you’ll see

Dr. Christopher B. Wong

Dr. Christopher B. Wong

Dentist & practice owner

Dr. Wong cares for patients of every age. He and the team explain things to kids in simple terms, move at their pace, and keep parents in the loop.

  • UOP Dugoni School of Dentistry, 2018
  • ADA, CDA, and SCCDS member
Meet Dr. Wong
  • Kaye, Registered Dental Hygienist

    Kaye

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    Honors graduate, Carrington College

  • Helen, Registered Dental Hygienist

    Helen

    Registered Dental Hygienist

    More than 15 years of dental hygiene

  • Meet the whole team

Questions

Children’s dentistry FAQs

First visits, checkups, sealants, nerves, and teens.

When should my child first see a dentist?

We recommend a first visit by age one or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits help kids get comfortable and allow us to guide parents on brushing and nutrition.

How often do children need checkups?

Most kids benefit from exams and cleanings every six months. If your child is cavity‑prone, we may recommend shorter intervals to keep teeth protected.

Do you offer fluoride and sealants?

Yes. We recommend fluoride or sealants based on your child’s risk factors. Sealants protect deep grooves on chewing surfaces where toothbrushes can miss.

What if my child is nervous?

That’s common. We use a calm, tell‑show‑do approach and move at your child’s pace. Our goal is to build positive experiences that last into adulthood.

Do you treat teens and orthodontic concerns?

Yes. We monitor growth and bite development, and we can discuss Invisalign for teens when appropriate.

Keep exploring

Related services

More family-focused care at our Palo Alto office.

Families visit our Cambridge Avenue office from Menlo Park, Stanford, Mountain View and Los Altos; see all the areas we serve.

From the blog

Children's Dentistry guides

All articles

Your next visit

Ready for a calm first visit?

Request a kids’ visit online in about a minute, or call the front desk. Bringing siblings or a parent too? Mention it in your request.

Request an appointmentCall (650) 326-6319