FAQs

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday. We at Bartlett Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics agree with this recommendation, as we believe it's time for your child's first visit when their first tooth appears! This allows your family dentist to examine your child’s mouth, educate parents on proper dental care, and answer any questions parents may have about their child’s oral health. We recommend seeing all of our children every six months for exams starting at age one, and we will typically attempt a child’s first cleaning around age three.

We recommend fluoridated toothpaste for all children ages three and over. For children under the age of three, a pediatric dentist will determine each child’s need for fluoride on an individual basis. If you have questions or concerns about this, please bring your child in for an examination and we can determine your child’s needs.

As your child grows, we are equipped to meet all of their dental needs up until their 21st birthday. This transition marks an important step in their dental health journey as they move on to a general dentist who will take care of their adult dental needs. We look forward to supporting your family through this process!

For parents of children with special needs, we understand and emphasize the importance of building a trusting relationship with them. As pediatric dentists, we have additional training and experience with patients who have special needs. As such, we will continue to see patients with special needs past their 21st birthday and into adulthood with no age cutoff!

Oral habits such as thumbsucking after the age of three or pacifier use after the age of two 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. Here are a few suggestions if you want to end the habit:

• Day thumb habit: Use positive reinforcement when the thumb is not in the mouth. One recommendation is a calendar. Pick a calendar, and get a book of fun stickers that your child picks out. Also, pick out a special toy or prize that you can reward the child with after they’ve stopped the habit. For every day they don’t suck their thumb, place a sticker on the calendar. Make a big deal out of every day they don’t suck their thumb when you put the sticker on the calendar. If they can do it for one month, they’ve probably overcome the habit! Then, give them the special toy that they picked out. Bring your calendar with all of the stickers to our office, and we’ll give them a special prize as well.

If you want to end your child's pacifier habit, here are a few suggestions:

• Cold-turkey methods: Let your child tie the pacifier to a helium balloon and let it go. Alternatively, you could have your child send the pacifier 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 the pacifier each week until it is too short to use. Either way, be prepared for a few restless nights.

If your child has a thumb habit or pacifier habit that seems to be a problem, please feel free to set up an appointment with a pediatric dentist from our team so we can examine your child and discuss the issue with you!

This is a very common issue, especially with patients under the age of four. Often the tooth will change color because of trauma. It is difficult to predict the outcomes of these teeth; Sometimes they’ll lighten up over time and sometimes they’ll continue to darken. If the tooth stays dark, the nerve inside 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 can sometimes be painful. Sometimes a dark tooth will stay dark but show no symptoms for a long time. If your child’s tooth is dark, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with a family dentist so they can examine it to see if there is an infection and discuss any further steps you should take.

According to the CDC, about 50% of children ages six to nine have one or more decayed, filled, or missing primary or permanent teeth. Some children are simply more cavity-prone than others. Their enamel may be more susceptible to cavities than other children. If your child gets more than a few cavities in their first 12 years, you may have to get involved in their dental 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, 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 for your child. Get professional cleanings and exams every six months. Insist on a topical fluoride gel treatment at every cleaning, not just the 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.

If the teeth are still in the mouth, the best thing to do is immediately reposition the teeth with your fingers. Many times they will snap back into the correct position. If they are permanent teeth and are knocked out of the mouth, they can be re-implanted. Place the teeth in milk or water; do not try to clean off the teeth. Call your family 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, (901) 550-5564, for specific instructions.