Frequently Asked Questions

It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to have your child's first appointment after their first tooth erupts, or no later than their first birthday.

While your child will eventually lose all their baby teeth, the teeth provide an important function in eating, speaking and guiding in the new permanent teeth. Just like permanent teeth, baby teeth have a nerve and blood supply within and untreated dental cavities and decay can cause pain and infection.

​

Fluoride, in toothpastes, supplements and water, helps strengthen the outermost layer of tooth structure and make them more resistant to dental decay. 

Thumb and pacifier habits that go on for a long period of time can alter the position of the teeth and jaws, resulting in crooked teeth and maligned jaws. If you can stop these habits before the permanent teeth erupt, that will minimize the chance that these habits will cause issues with the teeth and bite. 

Pediatric Dentists go through 2-3 years of training after dental school to give them the additional knowledge and experience to specifically treat children.

Dental cavities/caries are caused by several factors that come together: bacteria, high sugar/carbohydrate diet, and poor oral hygiene. Preventing and treating cavities is comprehensive and we will work closely with you and your child to address these factors.

X-rays allow the dentist to do a comprehensive evaluation of the mouth and teeth. Without them, dental conditions can be missed. X-rays are taken as needed for diagnosis and screening, and we utilize lead shields and digital sensors to minimize radiation exposure. 

Bruxism, the term for grinding the teeth, is common among children. The cause for bruxism varies between children. It can be due to stress, misaligned teeth, certain health conditions, sleep disturbances and tooth eruption. Most children will outgrow the habit as they get older, however, those that do not ,may require specially-made mouth guards to protect their teeth. 

 Have your child see you actively participating in good oral habits like brushing and flossing. In addition, you can have your child watch videos or read books about going to the dentist. Most importantly, maintain a positive attitude as children will pick up apprehension and fear from a parent.

In infancy, avoid having your child go to bed with a bottle containing milk or juice. Try to encourage your child to drink more water, especially in between meals. Using fluoride supplements and fluoridated toothpaste is also recommended to strengthen the enamel of the teeth. 

For toothbrushes, we recommend soft or extra soft bristles to prevent damage to the teeth and gums. We also strongly recommend electric toothbrushes as long as your child can tolerate them. For toothpaste, we recommend a fluoridated toothpaste in a flavor your child enjoys -- if they enjoy it, the more likely they will be to use it.

We recommend coming to visit us every 6 months. This allows us to check and identify any issues or conditions that may arise early on. While most children are recommended to come to the dentist every 6 months, some patients may need to come more often depending on their dental needs.