Family & Pediatric Dentistry

Drs. Brooks and Sally Lamberth have been treating families in Alexander City for over 32 years. Many of the kids who sat in our chairs for their first cleaning now bring their own children. That's the kind of practice we are — and it's the kind of dentistry we know best.

Your Child's First Visit

We recommend bringing your child in around their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth appearing — whichever comes first. This first visit is short and low-key. We check for early signs of decay, look at how teeth and gums are developing, and give you a chance to ask questions.

More than anything, the goal is to make the dental office a normal, comfortable place before there's ever a problem to fix.

What to Expect as Teeth Come In

Baby teeth usually start arriving around six months, beginning with the lower front teeth. By age three, most children have all 20 primary teeth. These teeth matter more than people realize — they hold space for the adult teeth that follow, and decay in baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth developing underneath.

Between ages six and twelve, children lose their baby teeth and adult teeth take their place. By the late teens, most people have all 28 adult teeth, with wisdom teeth potentially arriving in the early twenties.

If your child is uncomfortable during teething, a clean cold washcloth or a chilled teething ring usually helps. Avoid teething gels with benzocaine for children under two.

Preventive Care for Kids

We take a prevention-first approach with our younger patients:

Fluoride treatments strengthen developing enamel and make teeth more resistant to decay. We apply fluoride at regular cleaning appointments — it's quick and painless.

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings we paint onto the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where most childhood cavities form. The grooves in molars are hard for small toothbrushes to reach, and sealants fill those grooves before decay gets a chance to start. They last for years and we check them at every visit.

Diet guidance matters more than most parents expect. Sugary snacks and drinks between meals are the biggest driver of childhood cavities. We'll talk through practical habits that actually make a difference — not a lecture, just what works.

Protecting Teeth During Sports

If your child plays sports, a custom mouthguard is worth the investment. Over-the-counter guards are better than nothing, but a custom-fitted guard from our office offers significantly better protection and is more comfortable — which means your kid will actually wear it.

We see sports-related dental injuries regularly. A mouthguard is one of the easiest ways to prevent them.

When to Think About Orthodontics

We recommend an orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At that age, your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, and we can spot early signs of crowding, bite problems, or jaw development issues.

Not every child needs braces, and not every issue needs early treatment. But when early intervention does help, it can simplify treatment down the road. We'll give you an honest assessment and refer to an orthodontist when it makes sense.

Teens and Adults

Family dentistry doesn't stop at age 12. We see patients of all ages for cleanings, exams, fillings, cosmetic work, and everything in between. Whether you're 15 or 75, you'll get the same attentive care from the same team.