Informative FAQs

A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least once a day at bedtime.

In order to prevent dental problems, your child should see a dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday.

Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, but they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt.

Please call your child’s dentist office as soon as child starts to complain of any discomfort or pain. If a toothache begins after business hours then first, rinse the irritated area with warm salt water and place a cold compress on the face if it is swollen. Give the child acetaminophen for any pain, rather than placing aspirin on the teeth or gums.

A checkup every six months is recommended in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. However, your dentist can tell you when and how often your child should visit based on their personal oral health.

The sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your child’s gums with a soft infant toothbrush or cloth and water. Parents should use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush baby teeth twice daily as soon as they erupt and a soft, age-appropriate sized toothbrush. 

Once children are 3 to 6 years old, then the amount should be increased to a pea-size dollop and perform or assist your child’s tooth brushing. Remember that young children do not have the ability to brush their teeth effectively. Children should spit out and not swallow excess toothpaste after brushing.

Make sure your child has a balanced diet, including one serving each of fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat fish and eggs. Limiting the servings of sugars and starches will also aid in protecting your child's teeth from decay.

Parents should take their children to the dentist regularly, beginning with the eruption of the first tooth. Then, the dentist can recommend a specific program of brushing, flossing, and other treatments for parents to supervise and teach to their children. These home treatments, when added to regular dental visits and a balanced diet, will help give your child a lifetime of healthy habits.

Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years.

Most frequently, our patients do very well for treatment. Our philosophy is that with kindness and patience, we can complete even the most difficult of procedures and still leave them smiling. However, if your child has special or extensive treatment needs, we will discuss options including sedation or hospital dentistry.

We generally find that our patients have better behavior and are more accepting of treatment if parents remain in the reception room during treatment. Parents are welcome to tour the office and see our treatment areas. If you would like to arrange this, please alert our staff.

Exceptions to this policy are children with special medical needs and children below the age of 3. If your child is having a difficult time, we will not hesitate to ask for your assistance.

Because children have shorter attention spans, we typically schedule 30-minute appointments for ages under 13 years of age. Teens and young adults will typically be scheduled for an hour appointment. For that full 30 minutes to an hour, we have reserved at least one of our staff members to care for your child / teen only!

Often times we have much to accomplish in this short time frame, so we request that parents make every effort to be on time for appointments. Although there may be times that a procedure can take longer than expected, we make every effort to keep a timely schedule. This allows busy families to plan their day as well.

If you are unable to keep an appointment, we ask that you give us a 24-hour notice. This allows us to be able to offer that appointment to a patient that may be waiting. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.