Dr. Alexandra Nash

Dr. Nash provides preventive dental exams and cleanings for infants, toddlers, children, and teens. Her approach begins with age-appropriate education, helping children understand each step before it happens. Early and consistent preventive visits build the foundation for lifelong dental health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first checkup by their first birthday. Dr. Nash uses these visits to monitor development and catch concerns before they require more complex treatment.

Dr. Nash restores cavities using tooth-colored composite resin fillings matched to the shade of the child's natural tooth. Unlike traditional silver amalgam, this material bonds directly to the tooth, requires less removal of healthy enamel, and produces a seamless result. She approaches cavities without judgment, treating them as a common part of childhood and focusing the visit on efficient, calm treatment rather than making the child or parent feel at fault.

When a child's tooth is too damaged or decayed to be restored with a filling alone, Dr. Nash places a dental crown to protect and preserve the remaining structure. Pediatric crowns are sized and designed specifically for primary and young permanent teeth. The clinical goal is always to maintain the tooth for proper spacing and jaw development until it naturally exfoliates or is succeeded by the permanent dentition beneath it.

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Dr. Nash offers sedation dentistry for children who experience significant anxiety, require extensive treatment in a single visit, or are unable to cooperate due to age or special healthcare needs. Options include general anesthesia for complex cases. Every sedation decision is made collaboratively with parents, guided by the child's specific needs and medical history. Sedation dentistry allows necessary treatment to be completed safely and without the kind of distress that creates lasting dental fear.

Dr. Nash performs tooth extractions for children when a primary tooth cannot be saved or is interfering with the normal eruption of the permanent tooth below it. She uses techniques calibrated to a child's size and stress tolerance, and explains every step in language the child can understand. The goal is to make a necessary procedure as fast and low-stress as possible while preparing the child for what comes next in their dental development.

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Dr. Nash provides emergency dental care for children facing sudden dental injuries, severe toothaches, or other urgent situations. Pediatric dental emergencies require a provider who can manage a distressed child while assessing and treating the problem quickly. Prompt care is especially critical for knocked-out or fractured teeth, where the window for saving the tooth can be as short as one hour. Families can reach Brush Pediatric Dentistry at (708) 787-2874 for immediate guidance.

Dr. Nash sees infants starting from their first tooth, with the first dental visit recommended by age one per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Early visits focus on examining emerging teeth, evaluating jaw development, discussing feeding habits and oral hygiene, and establishing a positive first impression of dental care. These appointments are equally valuable for parents, giving them a space to ask questions and receive guidance specific to their infant's oral development stage.

Toddlers bring unique behavioral and developmental considerations to the dental chair. Dr. Nash is trained to work with this age group's limited attention spans, strong reactions to new environments, and early communication abilities. Her approach introduces dental care through patient, positive experiences designed to prevent anxiety from forming. Preventive care at this stage also addresses early cavity risk, teething concerns, and any spacing or development issues before they progress.

School-age children navigating the mixed dentition stage, when primary and permanent teeth coexist, benefit from a specialist who monitors development closely. Dr. Nash tracks spacing, alignment, and eruption patterns alongside routine preventive care and any restorative treatment needed. She also reinforces good brushing and dietary habits in a way that resonates with children directly, building personal ownership over their oral health rather than relying solely on parental enforcement.

Teens come with distinct dental concerns: emerging wisdom teeth, orthodontic considerations, higher dietary sugar exposure, and sometimes reduced compliance with hygiene habits. Dr. Nash engages adolescent patients directly rather than routing all communication through the parent in the room, respecting their growing autonomy while delivering clinical guidance. Consistent preventive care during the teen years protects the permanent dentition that will last a lifetime.

Dr. Nash provides dental care for children with special healthcare needs, including those with developmental disabilities, chronic medical conditions, and physical or cognitive challenges. This population often requires adapted clinical techniques, additional behavioral support, and close coordination with other providers in the child's care team. Dr. Nash's board certification in pediatric dentistry specifically includes preparation for this work, and Brush Pediatric Dentistry's judgment-free environment ensures the entire family feels supported throughout treatment.