FAQs
At what age do you recommend taking your child to their first dental appointment? What can I expect?
We, along with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend the first dealt visit at age 1. At this visit, we will do a quick exam, go over oral hygiene techniques and tips to use at home, and discuss diet and cavity prevention. It is always best to establish a dental hike for your child before there is a dental problem or concern.
When do you actually begin taking your child in to get their teeth cleaned?
After the first visit around age 1, we recommend your child be seen every 6 months. Every child is different but usually by age 3 we are able to start doing a prophy (cleaning) on your child. It is good to keep bringing your child every 6 months (even before we are able to do regular cleanings) so they can get used to coming into the office and become familiar with the tools we use.
What is the best way to teach my child to brush properly?
Most kids need help brushing their teeth until they have the dexterity to tie their own shoes. Even then it’s good to supervise to make sure they are really brushing! It’s great to let them practice doing it on their own when they are younger, but you need to make sure you go back after and help. Let them watch you brush your teeth too as they are learning. There’s also great videos available online with easy to learn brushing techniques. It also helps to make brushing fun- have a silly song you sing or set a timer to make sure they are brushing long enough. There are some great children’s books too about brushing your teeth and going to the dentist that can get younger kids engaged or excited.
Should my child's toothpaste have fluoride or no fluoride?
We recommend a Fluoride toothpaste. When your child is younger and can’t spit out the toothpaste, you want to use a very small amount the size of a grain of rice. Use this only when you are brushing their teeth for them. If they like to brush on their own just wet the bristles or use a training toothpaste for them to practice. But when you brush it is ok to use a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste. Once they are older and can spit the toothpaste out, then you can use a pea-size amount of the fluoride toothpaste. You don’t need a lot of the toothpaste to get the benefits of cavity prevention!
How do you handle cleanings for multiple children? Can I schedule them at the same time?
Yes we can schedule multiple children at the same time. We can usually see up to 3 siblings at the same time in our open bay area, so they can all be together. Sometimes if one sibling is younger, we let them watch their older sibling go first, and they get their turn after! We know your time is valuable so we try to schedule appointments as efficiently as possible!
When is it necessary to take x-rays?
We recommend x-rays as soon as there are areas between your child’s teeth without spacing (“closed contacts”). We usually take the first set of x-rays by 4 years old. From there they are taken periodically based on your child’s needs to evaluate for tooth decay or any pathology. X-rays are a very important diagnostic tool that are necessary for us to perform a complete exam. Often times everything may look great clinically, but cavities are then diagnosed on the x-rays between your child’s teeth. The sooner we can diagnose and treat these cavities the better.
How many times a day should my child brush?
We recommend brushing 2x day- once in the morning and once at night before bed. Brushing at night before bed is very important so you go to sleep at night with clean teeth! After brushing at night, no eating or drinking (except water) before bed.
What if my child’s permanent tooth is knocked out?
If a permanent tooth is knocked out, try to replant it to its original position (while holding the crown of the tooth only). If you are unable to replant, place the tooth in milk. If milk unavailable, place the tooth in saliva. Call immediately to be seen- this is very time sensitive!
What can I do to try and prevent injuries to my child’s teeth/mouth?
Always have your child wear appropriate protective gear during sports and contact activities (helmets, mouth guards, etc). Use appropriate car seat for young children and seat belts for everyone else in the car. Childproof your home for falls or electrical injuries.
Do you have emergency hours available?
Yes. If you are a patient of record and have a dental emergency outside of normal office hours, please call the office and you will be directed to our emergency number. You will be able to speak directly to Dr. Jenn or Dr. Beth, and they will let you know if your child needs to be seen asap or what palliative care is needed at that time.
Is it necessary to have x-rays done?
Yes, x-rays are a very important part of our diagnostic tools. Without x-rays we have no way of seeing between your child’s teeth and knowing for sure if cavities are present. They also help us evaluate your child’s growth and development and check for any possible pathology in your child’s jaws or sinuses.