Dental Questions

The AAPD recommends that a child's first dental be within 6 mos. of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than age 1.

Each individual is different, and we would have to assess the overall health status and dental needs of your child, in addition to his/her weight and age.  Once we have a proper assessment, we can determine if your child is appropriate candidate for sedation.

We take the time to talk to your child and introduce him/her to the staff and to the dental office setting.  Our goal is to make your child feel comfortable.  At the same time, we use a technique called "tell-show-do," where we describe and show your child all the instruments to be used in terms that are non-threatening, fun, and easy to understand.  If basic behavior management techniques are not enough, we offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which relaxes your child during the procedure.  It is a very useful tool when used with basic behavior management techniques.  For a child who needs extensive treatment and is not cooperative with basic techniques, we do offer sedation.

Your child may experience a little bit of sensitivity after the treatment, depending on the type and extent of treatment completed.

Your child can go to school the same day unless he/she is undergoing sedation.  If your child is being sedated, he/she will need to rest and relax the rest of the day, but he/she will ready to go to school the following day.

You must have your child brush his/her teeth at least twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, floss 1x/day (depending on the age and the teeth present), and use a fluoride mouth rinse 1x/day.  Make sure you teach your child not to swallow fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinses, as too much fluoride in the system can actually cause fluorosis.  (Fluorosis is a white to brown stain on/in the teeth that is difficult to remove depending on the severity.)

You also must encourage a healthy diet and limit snack time to 1x/day or less.  A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, cheese, yogurt, etc.  Avoid giving your child cookies, chips, crackers, or candy, etc. often because they break down into sugars which can damage the teeth.

Avoid giving your child carbonated beverages, juice, or sport drinks often.  These beverages contain a significant amount of sugar.  Encourage your child to drink a lot of water and limit juice intake to mealtime or 4-6 oz/day.  If your child drinks mostly bottled water, look for bottled water with a label indicating it contains fluoride.  If your child drinks tap water, find out if your community is fluoridated.  If you have well water, you may want to consider getting it tested to determine the fluoride levels.

If fluoride is lacking in your drinking water or in your child's diet, we can prescribe fluoride tablets or drops for your child.

Although toothpaste does have fluoride it, your child may not be getting fluoride by just brushing 2x/day.  Additional fluoride in mouth rinses and drinking water is necessary because it helps to make the teeth stronger and prevent cavities.