FAQ

Answers for You and Your Child’s Common Dental Questions

What is a Pediatric Dentist?

A pediatric dentist has exclusive and specialized training (two to three years) following dental school. Pediatric dentists are trained to specifically work with children from birth to young adulthood. Their intense training focuses on the physical, psychological, and emotional growth and development of children. Training also includes the different approaches of behavior management and the various treatment options for your child’s potentially complex conditions.

When should I bring my child for their first dental visit?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that a child have their first dental visit by age one. Our dentists are specially trained to perform early evaluations and give specific recommendations to you, as a parent, that can prevent many future problematic situations.

How often should I be brushing my child's teeth?

Ideally, brushing and flossing should be performed after each meal and minimally at least twice a day (especially at bedtime). Our dentists will demonstrate and coach you and your child on brushing and flossing techniques.

How can I prevent my child from having cavities?

Dental decay (cavities) develops when dental plaque (an accumulation of bacteria) forms and adheres to the tooth structure. When dental plaque is exposed to sugar (specifically sucrose) the bacteria will “eat” the sugar and produce acid as a by-product. This acid will eventually start to dissolve away the tooth surface (enamel) forming a cavity.

We prevent cavities by removing the dental plaque with regular brushing and flossing, minimizing the amount of sugar intake, and strengthening the enamel with correct fluoride usage.

What if my child cries at their dental appointment?

Crying is an expression of an overwhelming emotion whether it’s fear, sadness, anger, happiness etc. It’s a normal response and is okay to be fearful or scared. As a parent, you can be helpful to your child by being positive about their dental visit.

We understand that sometimes you (the parent) are apprehensive about your child’s dental visit. Your apprehension can be transferred to your child. Our dental team is trained and experienced to handle these situations.

My child has crooked teeth. At what age should we start braces?

Generally, braces or Invisalign® (orthodontic treatment or moving teeth) can be started when all your child’s permanent teeth emerge into their oral cavity (usually at age 12 years). However, certain circumstances may require your child to begin orthodontic treatment as early as age four.

Conversely, certain circumstances may require orthodontic treatment to be delayed even if your child has all their permanent teeth. Our dentists are trained and experienced to assess and explain your child’s orthodontic condition.

When should my child start using toothpaste and how much should I use?

Watch for the appearance of your child’s first tooth. When it appears clean it gently with a soft bristled toothbrush. At this time, just use water. Avoid using tooth paste.

As a guideline, non-fluoridated toothpaste may be used when the child is about 18-20 months. Use a very small amount (size of a grain of rice). Also, a fluoridated toothpaste may be used at the ages of two to three. Again use a very small amount. We will routinely share brushing techniques and tips with you as a parent.

Is a thumb sucking or a pacifier habit harmful to my child's teeth?

Sucking is a normal part of an infant’s development. It’s a comfort to them well into their first year of life. A thumb sucking or pacifier habit may occasionally cause a malocclusion (crooked teeth or bad bite) in young children (18-24 months old). We will discuss your child’s situation with you and how to correct or prevent a malocclusion caused by a thumb sucking or pacifier habit.

Why are “baby teeth” important if they eventually fall out?

“Baby teeth” are important for your child’s physical, social, and emotional growth and development. It’s important for your child to properly eat, speak, smile, develop good self-esteem, and experience the ideal growth of their jaw bones.

Problems (e.g. cavities or a bad bite) involving their “baby teeth” can affect the growth and development of your child’s permanent teeth. We will educate you regarding the best ways to keep your child’s “baby teeth” healthy and functioning properly.

How can my child's teeth be protected while playing sports?

Children normally experience bumps and bruises, especially when playing sports. We will educate you and your child about using an athletic mouth guard.

This appliance can effectively prevent broken, chipped, and knocked out teeth. We have fabricated hundreds of custom fitting mouth guards (in various colors) for our patients.

What should I do if my child's tooth gets knocked out?

If your child’s tooth gets knocked out, first determine if your child feels dizzy, starts to vomit, has headaches, or loses consciousness. If so, call 911 and get medical help IMMEDIATELY! There could be the possibility of a concussion or some type of brain injury.

If a “baby tooth” is knocked out, put hard pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding and call our dental office.

If a permanent tooth gets knocked out, find the tooth, use water to gently remove the debris from the tooth (be careful not to remove any tissue on the tooth), and try to re-insert the tooth. Otherwise, wrap the tooth in a moist napkin or towel and call our office ASAP.