Frequently Asked Questions

How old should my child be for her first dental visit?

We like to see children for their first exam, cleaning, and fluoride treatment about age 3. Prior to that, we are happy to see children of any age to evaluate a potential problem, or about age 12 months to discuss preventive care with new parents.

How long can my child continue to visit the pediatric dentist?

As your child grows, we are equipped to meet all his dental needs up to the age of 18, or when the child graduates from high school. Then it’s time to “graduate” from the pediatric dentist, too, and to begin seeing a general dentist for adult dental needs.

My 5 year-old still sucks her thumb at night. Should I be concerned?

Oral habits such as thumbsucking after the age of 3 or pacifier use after the age of 2 often cause dental problems such as anterior open bites (upper front teeth don’t touch lower teeth) or posterior crossbites (palate is too narrow). Sometimes these problems self-improve if the habit is eliminated early enough. A few suggestions: Day thumb habit – use positive reinforcement when the thumb is NOT in the mouth. Try a calendar with stick-on stars for good days, earning some kind of reward after 30 stars. Night thumb habit – wear a long-sleeve night shirt with the end of the cuffs sown shut. Assure child he CAN go to sleep without it. Pacifier – cold-turkey methods: let child tie “Pacie” to a helium balloon and launch it. Or send it to Santa for a treat. Or give it to someone you know who has a baby, in exchange for a treat. Gradual method – cut 1/4 inch off of “Pacie” each week until it is too short to use. Either way, be prepared for a few restless nights; then it will be over.

My child fell and bumped his tooth, and it has started to turn dark. What should I do?

The darkness means the tooth absorbed some blood. If the nerve was not damaged inside the tooth, then it might turn back lighter again.
If it stays dark, the nerve inside the tooth may not be alive. Some of these teeth will get abscessed (infected). An abscessed tooth will often have a pimple on the gums above the tooth, and it may be slightly loose and sometimes is painful. Sometimes a dark tooth will stay dark but give no problems for a long time.
If your child’s tooth is dark, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment for us to examine it to see if there is infection, and to explain further what might need to be done.

My child gets lots of cavities. Are we doing something wrong?

Some children are simply more cavity-prone than others. If your child gets more than a few cavities in his first 12 years, you may have to get involved in his care directly. At home, supervise brushing twice a day and perform flossing yourself once a day. Limit sugars, especially between meals, and don’t forget that cereal and drinks contain lots of sugar, too, not just candy and cookies. Beware of apple juice and other fruit juices that contain lots of natural sugar. Ask your pediatric dentist for specific suggestions about your child. Get professional cleanings and exams every six months; insist on a topical fluoride gel treatment every cleaning, not just use of fluoride cleaning paste; get recommended fillings done immediately while the cavities are small; investigate the possibility of sealants applied to the permanent teeth. In short, if your child is cavity-prone, consistently do everything we recommend and you will see results.

My child fell and knocked his two front teeth back. What should I do?

If the teeth are still in the mouth, the best thing to do is to immediately reposition the teeth with your fingers. Many times they will snap back into the correct position. If the teeth are knocked out of the mouth, they can be re-implanted if they are permanent teeth. Place the teeth in milk or water; don’t try to clean off the teeth. Call your dentist immediately. If the teeth are baby teeth, they should not be re-implanted. Instead, we suggest that you control any bleeding by having your child bite on gauze or a tea bag until it stops. With this or any other emergency, you are welcome to call our after-hours phone, 550-5564, for specific instructions.