Need a pediatric dentist in Tracy who actually makes dental visits fun? Dr. Shirley Zhao and our multilingual team at Smiles Dental Spa offer gentle, thorough dental care for kids of all ages. Give us a call or swing by our office on N Tracy Blvd — we’d love to get your child’s first visit on the books.
Tracy’s growing fast. Like, really fast. We’ve blown past 100,000 residents, and honestly, a huge chunk of that growth is young families moving into the area. That means a lot of little ones who need a dentist they can actually trust — and we’re proud to be that practice for so many families around here.
Here’s what we know from years of experience: a kid’s first few trips to the dentist shape how they feel about dental care forever. That sticks with them. It’s why Dr. Shirley Zhao and our whole team have put so much energy into creating a space where children feel safe and parents feel like they’re getting real answers. From your toddler cutting that very first tooth all the way through your teenager dealing with wisdom teeth — we’ve got you covered at every stage.
One thing that really sets us apart? Our team speaks Cantonese, Chinese, Tagalog, and Spanish on top of English. Tracy’s an incredibly diverse community, and being able to talk with families in the language they’re most comfortable with makes a huge difference. Anxiety goes down. Trust goes up. It’s that simple.
We’ve also invested in digital dental X-rays and 3D dental imaging technology that cuts radiation exposure way down for young patients while giving us sharper, more accurate diagnostic images. And our office on N Tracy Blvd? Super easy to get to. It’s right on one of Tracy’s main commercial corridors with plenty of parking, which busy parents definitely appreciate.
Your Trusted Tracy Dentist
Since 2013
Most parents don’t realize this, but the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says kids should have their first dental visit by age one — or within six months of that first tooth popping through. Sounds early, right? But catching things early means we can deal with small issues before they turn into big, painful, expensive problems.
So what actually happens during a pediatric oral exam at our Tracy office? Dr. Zhao takes a gentle look at your child’s teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. She’s checking for early decay, any developmental concerns, and habits like thumb-sucking that might cause alignment issues down the road. For the really little ones, the whole exam happens right in your lap. Keeps them calm and comfortable.
Here’s something local families might not think about. Tracy’s Central Valley summers are brutal — we’re talking 100°F-plus on the regular. Kids who play outdoor sports or spend long days at summer camp often come into our office dehydrated. And dry mouth? That’s basically a cavity invitation. We always chat with families about staying hydrated and what that means for their kid’s teeth. Practical, local advice — that’s what we’re about.
When X-rays are clinically needed, our digital technology reduces radiation exposure by up to 80% compared to old-school film X-rays. Parents feel a lot better knowing that. And the images we get are crystal clear, which means better diagnoses all around.
Cleanings are the backbone of good oral health for kids. Period. We recommend every six months for most children, though some kids with a higher cavity risk might need to come in a bit more often. Our hygiene team is specially trained to work with young patients — gentle hands, lots of encouragement, and a knack for making it feel like no big deal.
But a cleaning at Smiles Dental Spa isn’t just a quick polish. We’re getting into those hard-to-reach spots that little hands miss with a toothbrush — and trust me, they miss a lot. The thing is, Tracy’s water supply has higher mineral content (pretty typical for Central Valley groundwater), which can speed up tartar buildup. That makes professional cleanings even more critical for families around here.
After a cleaning, we’ll often suggest a fluoride treatment. It strengthens enamel and adds an extra shield against decay. This is especially helpful for kids whose permanent teeth are still coming in — the fluoride hardens that new enamel before cavities get a chance to take hold.
Then there are dental sealants. These are thin protective coatings we paint onto the chewing surfaces of back molars. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says sealants can prevent roughly 80% of cavities in back teeth — which is where most childhood cavities happen in the first place. Quick, painless, no drilling, no numbing. Done.
What about kids who get nervous? We take our time. We explain every step in words they understand. We let them hold the polishing tool (turned off, obviously) and count their own teeth in a mirror. These little things? They transform a scary visit into something kids genuinely look forward to.
Every cleaning doubles as a teaching moment. We show kids how to brush properly with a soft-bristled toothbrush and walk them through flossing — because let’s be honest, most adults don’t floss right either. We also talk nutrition with parents. Snacking habits, sugary drinks, all of it matters for developing teeth.
Families who stick with their six-month cleaning schedule? They have way fewer cavities and dental emergencies. Prevention beats treatment every single time — it’s easier, less stressful, and a whole lot cheaper. Want to see everything we offer for your whole family? Check out our complete range of dental services to see how we support patients at every age
Look, even kids with great brushing habits get cavities sometimes. Tooth decay is actually the most common chronic childhood disease in the country — roughly one in five kids between ages 5 and 11 deal with it. When we spot a cavity during an exam, treating it early with a filling stops the decay from spreading and causing real pain or infection.
Dr. Zhao uses tooth-colored composite fillings that blend right in with your child’s natural tooth. These materials are durable, mercury-free, and honestly look so much better than those silver amalgam fillings a lot of us grew up with. They bond directly to the tooth too, which means less drilling and more of the natural tooth stays intact.
Comfort comes first. Always. For nervous kids, we offer nitrous oxide — you probably know it as laughing gas. It’s a mild, safe sedation option that helps them relax while staying fully awake. The effects wear off within minutes once the mask comes off, so your child can head back to school or activities that same day.
Dr. Zhao applies a topical anesthetic to numb the area before any injection, so your child barely feels a thing. Then she removes the decayed part of the tooth, cleans everything thoroughly, and builds up the composite filling in layers — hardening each one with a special curing light. The whole process? Usually 20 to 30 minutes per tooth.
And we always explain what’s happening. To you and to your child. Kids who understand the process feel more in control, which means less anxiety. Our goal goes beyond just fixing the cavity — we want your child walking out feeling brave. Proud of themselves.
Once a filling’s done, we talk strategy. Maybe it’s tweaking the brushing routine, sealing other teeth that look vulnerable, or making a few small dietary changes. We know Tracy families are juggling school, sports, commutes — life is busy. So our recommendations are always practical. Stuff you can actually do.
Sometimes decay goes deeper than a filling can fix. When it reaches the inner pulp of a baby tooth, that’s where pulp therapy comes in. Think of it like a root canal designed specifically for kids’ primary teeth. Sounds scary? It’s really not. This is a routine pediatric procedure that saves teeth and prevents way more serious problems.
We perform two types of pulp therapy at Smiles Dental Spa, and which one your child needs depends on how far the infection has gone.
A pulpotomy is the less invasive route. We remove infected pulp tissue from the crown — that’s the top part of the tooth — while leaving the healthy root pulp alone. Then we place a medicated material to protect what’s left and cap the tooth with a crown for strength. Some people call this a “baby root canal,” and it’s the most common pulp treatment we do on primary teeth.
A pulpectomy is needed when infection has spread down into the root canals. In that case, we remove all the pulp tissue from both the crown and roots, clean and disinfect the canals, then fill them with a resorbable material. Here’s the cool part — that material dissolves naturally as your child’s baby tooth falls out and the permanent tooth comes in.
“Why not just pull it? It’s going to fall out anyway.” We hear this a lot. But the answer really matters.
Baby teeth are natural space holders for the permanent teeth developing underneath. Lose one too early and the neighboring teeth can drift into that gap — causing crowding and alignment issues that might mean braces or other orthodontic work later on. That’s a headache (and expense) nobody wants.
There’s more to it, though. Baby teeth help with speech development and proper chewing. A child missing front teeth may struggle with certain sounds. Missing molars can make it tough to eat a balanced diet. So whenever we can, preserving the natural tooth through pulp therapy is the better call for your child’s long-term health.
Now, if a tooth truly can’t be saved despite our best efforts, we can place a space maintainer to hold that gap open until the permanent tooth is ready. Dr. Zhao evaluates every situation on its own and always walks parents through all the options before doing anything.
Pediatric dentistry isn’t just “adult dentistry, but smaller.” Not even close. Kids’ teeth, jaws, and oral tissues are still developing, and that means a completely different approach — different materials, different techniques, a whole different way of communicating. A dentist who understands the unique stages of childhood dental development catches things that a general practitioner might miss entirely
Tracy’s a growing, vibrant community packed with young families. But all that growth also means tons of families are brand new to the area and still looking for a dental home they can count on. We don’t take that lightly. Dr. Zhao’s credentials speak for themselves — she’s a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology and a member of both the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association. That kind of commitment to excellence carries through everything we do, pediatric care included.
This is something a lot of people underestimate. Oral health and overall health are deeply connected — even in kids. Untreated cavities can lead to infections that mess with eating, sleeping, concentration at school, and self-esteem. The World Health Organization ranks oral diseases among the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide. And prevention? It starts in childhood.
Kids who build solid dental habits early and see their dentist regularly are far more likely to keep healthy teeth as adults. They also tend to have less dental anxiety as they get older — which means fewer skipped appointments and better outcomes long-term. Starting your child’s dental journey with a practice that puts comfort and education first creates a ripple effect. It really does last a lifetime.
So what should you look for? A practice that combines real clinical skill with genuine warmth. Your child should feel welcomed — not rushed through an assembly line. You should feel heard. And the office should be clean, modern, and equipped with technology that puts your child’s safety first.
We check every one of those boxes at Smiles Dental Spa. Our office on N Tracy Blvd has advanced air filtration systems that go well beyond standard requirements — something that matters a lot given the Central Valley’s air quality challenges. We follow strict infection control protocols and keep a kid-friendly atmosphere that puts children at ease the second they walk in.
We love being a part of the Tracy community. You’ll see us at the local Christmas parade and shopping at the outlets on the weekend. We aren’t just a business; we are your neighbors. We want every kid in town to have a healthy smile and a good attitude about their health.
If your child is due for a checkup or if you’ve noticed a dark spot on their tooth, don’t wait. We’ll take great care of them and make sure you understand every step of the plan. No surprises and no judgey comments—just good care for your family.
At Smiles Dental Spa, your trusted Tracy dentist, prevention is at the heart of everything we do. We provide thorough evaluations, clear communication, and individualized care so you understand your oral health and feel confident in your treatment plan.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit by age one or within six months of their first tooth erupting. Early visits help identify potential issues and establish a positive relationship with the dentist.
Yes. At Smiles Dental Spa, we use digital dental X-rays that reduce radiation exposure by up to 80% compared to traditional film X-rays. We only take X-rays when clinically necessary to ensure your child’s safety.
Pulp therapy is a procedure to treat infection in the inner pulp of a baby tooth. It includes pulpotomy (removing infected pulp from the crown) and pulpectomy (removing all pulp from the crown and roots). It saves the baby tooth, which is important for maintaining proper spacing for permanent teeth.
Yes, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for children who experience dental anxiety. It is a safe, mild sedation option that helps kids relax while remaining fully conscious, and the effects wear off within minutes after the procedure.
Absolutely. Our team at Smiles Dental Spa speaks Cantonese, Chinese, Tagalog, and Spanish in addition to English, making it easy for Tracy’s diverse families to communicate comfortably during their visits.
We thrive on patient feedback! See what your neighbors in Tracy have to say about their experience, and if you have a moment, please leave us a review—we appreciate you taking the time!
Ensure your child enjoys a lifetime of healthy smiles with expert dental care. Book a pediatric oral examination, cleaning, filling, or pulp therapy appointment with Dr. Shirley Zhao, your trusted Tracy dentist, today.
For appointments, please contact us at (209) 836-1748 or schedule online via NexHealth. Visit us at 1431 N Tracy Blvd, Tracy, CA 95376, where our team provides expert dental care for you and your family. Your child’s comfortable, expert dental care is just one call or click away, and families consistently highly recommend our pediatric services for lasting oral health.
1431 N Tracy Blvd
Tracy, CA 95376
