Common Questions

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Calming the Anxious Child

Q: How does a pediatric dentist help with dental anxiety?

A: Pediatric dentists have special training in helping anxious children feel secure during dental treatment. And, pediatric dental offices are designed for children. Staff members choose to work in a pediatric dental practice because they like kids. So, most children are calm, comfortable and confident in a pediatric dental office. More »

Conscious Sedation

Q: What is sedation?

Sedation is a technique to guide a child’s behavior during dental treatment. Medications are used to help increase cooperation and to reduce anxiety or discomfort associated with dental procedures. Sedative medications cause most children to become relaxed and drowsy. Unlike general anesthesia, sedation is not intended to make a patient unconscious or unresponsive. More »

Dental Care for Special Child

Q: Do special children have special dental needs?

A: Most do. Some special children are very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. Others require medication or diet detrimental to dental health. Still other children have physical difficulty with effective dental habits at home. The good news is, dental disease is preventable. If dental care is started early and followed conscientiously, every child can enjoy a healthy smile. More »

Dental Care for Your Baby

Q. When should my child first see a dentist?

"First visit by first birthday" sums it up. Your child should visit a pediatric dentist when the first tooth comes in, usually between 6 and 12 months of age. This visit will establish a dental home for your child. Early examination and preventive care will protect your child’s smile now and in the future. More »

Diet and Snacking

Q: What is a healthy diet for my child?

A: A healthy diet is a balanced diet that naturally supplies all the nutrients your child needs to grow. A balanced diet is one that includes the following major food groups: Fruits Vegetables Grains Meat & Beans Milk These are the key groups according to the food pyramid. More »

Early Orthodontic Care

It's never too early to keep an eye on your child's oral development. Your pediatric dentist can identify malocclusion -- crowded or crooked teeth or bite problems -- and actively intervene to guide the teeth as they emerge in the mouth. Orthodontic treatment early can prevent more extensive treatment later. More »

Emergency Dental Care

When your child needs urgent dental treatment, your pediatric dentist stands ready to help. Please keep the emergency number available and convenient. More »

Enamel Fluorosis

Q: What is enamel fluorosis?

A: A child may face the condition called enamel fluorosis if he or she gets too much fluoride during the years of tooth development. Too much fluoride can result in defects in tooth enamel. More »

Enamel Microabrasion

Q: What is microabrasion?

A: In microabrasion, dentists carefully rub a compound on the teeth to remove superficial stains and discoloration. More »

Esthetic Dentistry

Children smile when they are proud of their teeth. At school and at play, they feel more confident. Ask your pediatric dentist about esthetic dentistry to restore or enhance your child's smile. More »

Fluoride

What is fluoride?

Fluoride is a compound that contains fluorine, a natural element. Using small amounts of fluoride on a routine basis can help prevent tooth decay. In areas where fluoride does not occur naturally, it may be added to community water supplies. Research shows that community water fluoridation has lowered decay rates by over 50 percent, which means that fewer children grow up with cavities. Fluoride can be found as an active ingredient in many dental products such as toothpaste, mouth rinses, gels and varnish. More »

General Anesthesia

Q: What is general anesthesia?

General anesthesia is a controlled state of unconsciousness that eliminates awareness, movement and discomfort during dental treatment. A physician or dentist with specialized training can use various medications to provide general anesthesia for patients receiving dental care. More »

Managed Dental Care Programs

Dental insurance plans differ by:

• services they cover
• amount they pay for dental procedures
• whether or not you can decide which dentist to see in order to get the most appropriate care in the most efficient manner.
  More »

Nitrous Oxide

Most children are calm, comfortable and confident in a pediatric dental office. The office is designed for young people, and pediatric dentists have additional training in caring for infants, children and adolescents. Staff members choose to work in a pediatric dental office because they like children and want to cater to their special needs. These elements combine to make your child feel relaxed and special. More »

Preventive Dentistry

Q: What is preventive dentistry?

A: Preventive dentistry means a healthy smile. Preventive dental care for children includes:

• Proper nutrition and dietary habits
• Brushing and flossing
• Fluoride
• Regular dental check-ups
• Assessing risk for developing cavities
• Evaluating oral growth and development
• Oral health education
• Protection against injuries
• Management of oral habits
• Guidance of erupting teeth
• Sealants More »

Regular Dental Visits

Q: How often should a child see the dentist?

A: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children. Some children need more frequent dental visits because of increased risk of tooth decay, unusual growth patterns or poor oral hygiene. Your pediatric dentist will let you know the best appointment schedule for your child. More »

Sealants

Q: What are sealants?

Sealants protect the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth, especially the chewing surfaces of back teeth where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear or shaded plastic, sealants are applied to the teeth to help keep them cavity-free. More »

Space Maintenance

Q: What are space maintainers?

A: Space maintainers are appliances made of metal or plastic that are custom fit to your child’s mouth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance. Most children easily adjust to them after the first few days. More »

The Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric dentistry is the specialty of dentistry that focuses on the oral health of young people. After completing a four-year dental school curriculum, two to three additional years of rigorous training are required to become a pediatric dentist. This specialized program of study and hands-on experience prepares pediatric dentists to meet the needs of infants, children and adolescents, including persons with special health care needs. More »

Thumb, Finger and Pacifier Habits

Q: Why do children suck on fingers, pacifiers or other objects?

A: This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It provides security. For young babies, it is a way to make contact with and learn about the world. In fact, babies begin to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born. More »

To My Teenage Patient

A bright smile fresh breath – that’s what a healthy mouth means. It also means you can talk and laugh with confidence.

Here are facts, ideas and tips on keeping a healthy smile in your teenage years. More »

Tooth-Colored Fillings

Q: What are tooth-colored fillings?

A: Tooth-colored fillings are made from durable plastics called composite resins. Similar in color and texture to natural teeth, the fillings are less noticeable, and much more attractive, than other types of fillings. More »

What is Malocclusion?

Q: What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion is the improper positioning of the teeth and jaws. It is a variation of normal growth and development which can affect the bite, the ability to clean teeth properly, gum tissue health, jaw growth, speech development and appearance. More »

X-Ray Use and Safety

Q: How often should a child have dental X-ray films?

Since every child is unique, the need for dental X-ray films varies from child to child. Films are taken only after reviewing your child’s medical and dental histories and performing a clinical examination, and only when they are likely to yield information that a visual examination cannot. More »