Your First Visit

We offer pediatric dentistry and orthodontics for children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs. With years of education, hands-on training, and experience, our doctors and staff are uniquely able to meet the specific dental needs of our young patients.

We strive to make your child’s first dental visit an enjoyable one. Young children receive a personalized storybook in which their name appears throughout the story. Our intention in providing this book is to familiarize your child with our dental office.

The storybook contains the doctor’s as well as staff members’ names. Knowing who they will meet and what to expect allows your child to feel more at ease and somewhat curious for this new experience. Perhaps the most exciting part of this book is the back page that has a place for our signatures, stickers, and the picture of your child’s first visit with us. This is a keepsake for our new patients.

When Should Your Child’s First Dental Visit Be? 

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that infants be seen shortly after the first tooth erupts or no later than their first birthday. This first visit will help establish a dental home for your child.
The earlier you start, the better chance we have to prevent any potential problems. In addition to checking for decay and other conditions, our staff will teach you how to clean your child’s teeth properly, identify your child’s risk for cavities, and offer you helpful advice that will help your child build a lifetime of good dental habits.

Giving Back at Pediatric Dental Specialist

At Pediatric Dental Specialist, we believe giving back to our community and around the world is part of who we are. The way we give back is through our charitable giving program that’s so easy for everyone to participate. This month, we are supporting our International Fund for Animal Welfare! Every time you Check-in on Facebook from our office, a donation is made on your behalf. It’s that simple, you check-in with a photo, status update or review and we make the donation on your behalf. Every month we will feature a new charity organization that are near to our hearts. They will be local and national charity organization that make a difference.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare’s vision is a world where animals are respected and protected. The international organization rescues individual animals, safeguard populations, preserve habitat, and advocate for a better future. Founded in 1969, IFAW has provided almost 50 years of global leadership, innovation and hands-on assistance to animals and communities in need.

Common Questions

1. When should I take my child to the dentist for the first check-up?
In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.

2. What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years of specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special healthcare needs.

3. Are baby's teeth really that important to my child?
Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

4. What should I do if my child has a toothache?
See a dentist as soon as possible.

5. What should I use to clean my baby's teeth?
A toothbrush will remove plaque and bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day and for sure at bedtime.

Back to School Oral Health Basics

The summer days are passing by, and it is almost time to start a new school year.   As you prepare your children for back to school, the health of their teeth and gums may not be be on the top of your list, but good smiles denote: friendliness, good overall health, and confidence. Here are some suggestions that will help in maintaining healthy smiles:

Daily Oral Care Practices 

Educating our children at a young age on oral health practices is key in prevention of decay and gum disease. Here are some recommendations:

• Brushing

Brushing morning and at bedtime with a soft-bristle brush. We recommend using a timer for 2 minutes. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), it is recommended that children be assisted with brushing until the age of 8. At the very least, an inspection by the parent is very helpful. Children may swallow some toothpaste when brushing, these are the recommended amounts of toothpaste based on age: A smear or rice size amount of children’s fluoridated toothpaste is for children less than three years of age, and  a pea-size amount for children three to six years old.

• Flossing

Floss to clean between teeth and remove the plaque a toothbrush can’t reach. Initial supervision by a parent is necessary. There are special flossers with handles to help reach between molars.

Healthy Diet

Healthy snacks are just as important as a good daily hygiene routine. Here are some ideas for healthy options for your child’s teeth: string cheese, fruits, veggies, yogurt, hummus, almonds. Try to avoid sticky snacks such as fruit snacks (fruit roll-ups) and gummies, these can stick to your child’s teeth and may lead to tooth decay.

It is recommended to limit juice. Provide at most 4 ounces daily for toddlers age 1-3; for children age 4-6, fruit juice should be restricted to 4 to 6 ounces daily; and for children ages 7-18, juice intake should be limited to 8 ounces. Encourage water intake.

Schedule a Dental Check-up

Children starting kindergarten or in their first year of public school must have a dental check-up by May 31, according to California law.  A check-up/oral health assessment is important for children of all ages and helps to ensure healthy smiles. Undetected dental problems may be identified before
they become big concerns. Dental disease may result in infection/ pain that makes it difficult for children to eat, speak, and learn in school. Missing days from school as a result of dental disease may be prevented.

For more pediatric dental tips or to schedule your child’s appointment contact us at Pediatric Dental Specialists Long Beach (www.lbpds.net) Phone 562-377-1375

Oral Health Month: A Healthy Foundation

June is Oral Health Month. A good oral hygiene routine is the foundation to a healthy smile, especially for young children. For parents, leading by example, should establish healthy habits like brushing, cleaning between your teeth and seeing your dentist. This ultimately leads to the big difference in the health and happiness of your entire family and in children, less fears about visiting their dentist.

Here are a few tips from the American Dental Association that are a great reminder to enforce.

Start a Routine and Stick to It:

You may be tempted to let your child skip brushing after a long day or during times when your normal schedule is off (like vacation), but keep at it. The more second nature brushing becomes the easier it will be to make sure your child is brushing twice a day for two minutes.

Toothpaste:

Learn how to apply the right amount of toothpaste for your child. 

First Visit: 
Every parent celebrates the milestones in the first year, first words, first steps, first teeth.

We consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. Our practice philosophy is to provide dental education and treatment, as well as orthodontics, for children, teens, and those with special healthcare needs.

All in blue and all smiles! Dr. Cortez and our Registered Dental Assistant Chuy with our happy dental patient Gavin and his mom! 👍#PediatricDentalSpecialistsLongBeach

A post shared by Pediatric Dental Specialists (@lbpds200) on Jun 20, 2018 at 6:00am PDT

Summertime! Dental Tips for Avoiding Mouth/Facial Injuries

Spending time with friends, outdoor adventures, and being out of school make summer an exciting time of year for most children. While the season is filled with good times, it can also present certain risks such as mouth/facial injuries. Our Doctors at Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach, want to help make your child’s summer an enjoyable one by offering the following tips to help prevent mouth/facial injuries. Follow us on our blog www.lbpds.net.

1) Wear a Mouthguard While Playing Sports
Participating in sports is a popular activity. With the beautiful local weather, many children play a variety of outdoor contact sports such as: baseball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball.  Sports can have risks at times through collisions, accidental elbowing, or being hit with the ball. You want to protect your child’s teeth. Sports related injuries account for 10 to 39 percent of all dental injuries in children. A mouthguard helps to protect teeth by providing an extra layer of cushion to shield their teeth and gums from potential impacts and can greatly reduce your child’s chances of getting a tooth knocked out. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (www.AAPD.org) encourages mouth guard protection for patients at increased risk for orofacial trauma. Our office can provide a custom fit mouthguard, which is the best fit for your child’s mouth and offers the best protection, while still being comfortable.

2) Pool Safety is Key
It wouldn’t be summer without swimming.  Many of the summer emergencies pediatric dentists treat
are pool-related accidents. You can be prepared and help avoid an emergency room visit by ensuring that your child obeys the “pool rules” whether they are at home, the community pool, or at their friends. Running on slippery pool decks, diving into shallow waters, or bumping the pool ledge with their mouth causes many children to either chip or knock a tooth loose.

3) Jumper Safety
For many families, no party is complete without a jumper. Jumpers often lead to a sudden accident such as colliding with another child, being elbowed or kicked. It is recommended that children steer clear of the net. We recommend an adult supervising the children while in the jumper. No matter the type or severity of the injury to your child’s mouth or teeth, it is important to have our Doctors evaluate your child, or contact us for advice on what to do.


Dental injuries are often stressful and emotional. We are here to help minimize some of the stress you and your child may feel. The Doctors are just a phone call away and take call when the office is closed. If necessary, the Doctors are available to come in for an emergency. Our team is here to help. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and safe summer!

What Makes Us Unique?

We have been serving patients in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for over 30 years! We consider dental health to be an integral part of overall good health. Our practice philosophy is to provide dental education and treatment, as well as orthodontics, for children, teens, and those with special healthcare needs. We believe that good dental health can instill a sense of well-being, provide a lifelong smile, and promote good overall health.

Dr. Santos Cortez, Dr. Estela Sanchez, Dr. Ana Planells and Dr. Gabriela Cervantes, as well as our team, are committed to supporting and educating our patients to care for their teeth and gums and help in the prevention of dental disease. We strive to achieve this goal in an environment that is soothing and welcoming to both parents and children of all ages.

What Sets Us Apart?

We offer pediatric dentistry and orthodontics for children, teens, and patients with special healthcare needs. With years of education, hands-on training, and experience, our doctors and staff are uniquely able to meet the specific dental needs of our young patients.

We utilize digital radiographs and the latest digital impression technology, which allows us to take digital molds for appliances and retainers without the goopy, messy material used in the past.

Our dental and orthodontic charts are digital, which allows for better communication with other dental and medical doctors. This reduces the number of X-rays patients undergo, and improves communication between providers, which leads to better care.

Make your child’s visit special!

As a new patient, your young child will receive a personalized book with his or her name and the name of the dentist. This book is kid-friendly and leads young children through their first dental visit and introduces them to, the dentist, dental staff, and some tools they will see during their visit. Read this to your child before his or her first visit to ease any fears.

We have a No-Cavity Club Program to reward children who perform good oral hygiene and have no cavities whereby they get entered into monthly drawings for gift cards. We also have many fun contests throughout the year to keep kids engaged and have positive experiences when visiting the dentist.

Here when you need us!

The doctors at Pediatric Dental Specialists are on-call for after-hours emergencies, including holidays and weekends. In the event of an emergency, you may contact our office to page the doctor on call, and expect to hear back within 30 minutes. The doctor will discuss the emergency over the phone and determine what action needs to be taken. Some emergency require seeing the patient in the office, other situations may be handled over the phone.