Dr. Zarina Bell was born in Kazakhstan. From a very young age she traveled throughout Central Asia, Eastern Europe and all the continental states in the US, due to her father's work as a professional horse trainer. This is probably why she has an insatiable curiosity to see the world and loves animals, especially horses.
She grew up in Chicago and completed her undergraduate education at University of Illinois at Chicago in Kinesiology. In 2013, she earned her DDS degree from University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Go Blue! Throughout her life and educational career she has always been passionate about prevention, which is why she loves pediatric dentistry.
She completed UCLA Pediatric Dentistry Residency and now lives with her husband in the South Bay.
When she's not at work you can find her traveling with her husband and enjoying the outdoors.
When it comes to your children and their health, we know that you are going to want to choose a team that fully understands the specific needs and treatment that are specific to pediatrics. It is best to schedule your child's first dental visit as soon as the first tooth appears or by their first birthday, whichever happens first.
Pediatric dentists specialize in dental care for children. In addition to their dental degree, a pediatric dentist must complete an additional 2-3 years of speciality training that allows them to care for infants, toddlers, children and teenagers. They are experts when it comes to the care of a child's teeth, gums and mouth as they grow through the various stages of adolescence. Pediatric dentists are also trained to work with special needs children.
Children usually get their first tooth between the ages of 6 months to a year. Around age 7, children start to lose their baby teeth and begin replacement with their permanent teeth. Without proper childhood dental care, your child may have complications and pain that carries over into adulthood.
Pediatric dentists treat a variety of oral health conditions, many are specific to children. Continue reading to learn more about some of these specific conditions.
Although baby teeth are temporary, they can still get cavities. Most cavities that form in babies are referred to as baby bottle tooth decay. Baby bottle tooth decay happens because children have prolonged exposure to liquids that contain sugar. This is especially common when babies are put to bed with a bottle. Tooth decay in babies can also be transferred through saliva.
In addition to baby teeth enabling your child to chew and speak, baby teeth are important because they aid in the formation of their adult teeth. The best dental hygiene starts when a baby is young. That way, their good dental hygiene practices will carry over into adulthood.
To help prevent tooth decay in toddlers, do not share saliva with children and make sure to brush your children's teeth daily. Children should be supervised with brushing until they are old enough to spit without swallowing the tooth paste. Also, encouraging children to make healthy eating choices and avoiding sugary drinks will aid in great oral health.
If your child has tooth decay, we are able to provide restorative dental services, geared specifically towards their age group, including fillings, pulpotomies, and extractions.
Pediatric dentists can help with preventative care including cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants. They will counsel on diet and nutrition and can help your child reduce the use of a pacifier and/or thumb/finger sucking. Additionally, they can assess potential issues with improper bites and tooth spacing issues.
Pediatric dentists can help with diagnosis and treatment of disease in children, including diabetes, heart defects, asthma, ulcers and pediatric periodontal disease. Additionally, they understand childhood injuries, especially those related to sports.
Children are especially prone to dental anxiety. Children tend to mimic fears and anxieties in those around them. If you or other family members have a fear of the dentist, your children may also acquire this fear. Furthermore, film and television often portray going to the dentist as a negative experience. Our pediatric specialists focus on reversing any dental anxieties and fears and are adept at making youth clientele not only comfortable at the dentist, but help them to look forward to their dental treatments.
And finally, pediatric dentists are patient, kind and caring. They know that children aren’t adults. Children don’t always sit still. Pediatric dentists are friendly and fun. They specialize in creating an environment and experience that will not only help your child stay focused, but will also help them to enjoy the dental experience.
If your child hasn’t been to the dentist before or if you are looking for a pediatric dentist to be part of your child's medical team, look no further. The pediatric team at Bellflower Dental Group is excited to meet you and your child. We strive to offer the best in pediatric dental care to our community. Just as you put your child and their health first, we put children and their health first too, treating each of our patients as if they are our own family.
Simply put - it is the goal of Bellflower Dental Group that every child leaves our office with a smile on their face! Give us a call to set up an appointment with our pediatric dentist today!
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