Dentistry gives me an amazing opportunity to serve and help others, especially children, which has always been close to my heart. Working with children and their families, as well as our talented and caring staff and other colleagues in pediatric dentistry and other specialties is a great gift. Dr. Burke

Dr. Tommy Burke graduated from the University of Tennessee Health Science Centers College of Dentistry in 2004. After that, he spent an additional two years specializing in pediatric dentistry, gaining his certificate from the University of Tennessee in 2006. During his residency training in Memphis, Dr. Burke treated patients at the University of Tennessees College of Dentistry, Le Bonheur Childrens Medical Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Crittenden Memorial Hospital in West Memphis, AR, and at Arlington Developmental Center outside of Memphis, TN.

Dr. Burke has been formally trained in behavior management techniques relating to the dental treatment of children and special-needs patients. He is fully trained in dental conscious sedation, as well as full-mouth dental treatment in hospital settings utilizing general anesthesia. Since he began practicing dentistry, Dr. Burke has kept up to date on many continuing educational classes, ensuring that his patients receive the most comprehensive and advanced dental care. He has also been involved with medical and dental research projects at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN, St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, and at the Paffenberger Research Center located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg, MD.

He is a member in good standing of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Tennessee Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Society of Dental Anesthesia, and the Christian Medical and Dental Association.

Dr. Burke has been married to Lauren, his childhood friend, since 2004. Together, they have two daughters, as well as a dog (Cocoa), cat (Chloe), and several chickens. Dr. Burke also has large extended families in the West Tennessee area.

Dr. Burke is also an active member of his local church and can be found singing in their choir on most Sundays. He is also a member of Gideons International, a group dedicated to spreading hope throughout the US and in many other countries.

Beech Lake Pediatric Dentistry has a reputation for offering comprehensive pediatric dental care in a friendly, inviting, and professional environment. When you visit our practice, youre not just another smile youre family!

The Beech Lake Pediatric Dentistry team is an exceptional group of people, some of whom have been working with Dr. Burke almost from the beginning of his career! We have a staff that is trained in special techniques to communicate with and comfort children, as well as deliver high level, quality care.

Our clinic strives to provide a high level of service to the children of Henderson County and many of the surrounding areas. As the only full-time clinic specializing in the needs of children between Jackson, TN and Dickson, TN, we happily welcome children and their families from near and far.

All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school, then continue their education with several years of additional specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, your doctor gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists enjoy working with children, and bring to each patient our expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you'll find that our staff, as well as our office design, decorations, and activities all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children.

The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. The doctor will check your childs teeth for placement and health, and will look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your childs teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials containing helpful tips that you can refer to at home.

The best preparation for your childs first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults apprehensions, and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist you can be sure that your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Show your child the pictures of the office and staff on the website. Let your child know that its important to keep their teeth and gums healthy, and that the doctor will help do that. Remember that your dentist is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, and our staff excels at putting children at ease during treatment.

Although they dont last as long as permanent teeth, your childs first teeth play an important role in development. While theyre in place, these primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early (due to damage or decay) nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your childs general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.

Even before your babys first tooth appears, we recommend you clean the gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You most likely can find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore.

Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste on the brush. Use only a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) for each cleaning. Always have your child rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to stain. You should brush your childs teeth until they are ready to take on that responsibility, which usually happens by age six or seven.

Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on our teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.

Even childrens sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.

The large majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four, without causing any permanent damage to their teeth. If your child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or if they suck aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems may arise from the habit.

We recommend taking X-rays around the age of two or three. The first set consists of simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth, which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth in back are touching one another, then regular (at least yearly) X-rays are recommended. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and X-rays help us make sure your childs teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. If your child is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having X-rays taken at an earlier age.