FAQs

The best preparation for your little one’s first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adult apprehensions, and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist you can be sure that your child will anticipate an unpleasant experience and act accordingly.

Show your youngster the pictures of the office and staff on the website. Let him or her know it’s important to keep the teeth and gums healthy, and the doctor will help to do that. Remember that your dentist is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, and our staff excels at putting children at ease during treatment.

The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. The doctor will check your son or daughter’s teeth for placement and health, and look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning.

We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child’s teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials that contain helpful tips you can refer to at home.

All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school, then continue their education with several years of additional specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, Drs. Davis, DiGuglielmo, Main, Ruescher, Gulka, Callwood, and Hasler gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, and adolescents.

Pediatric dentists enjoy working with children, and bring to each patient our expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you’ll find that our staff, as well as our office design, decorations, and activities, all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children.

Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears. This is recommended timing by the American Association of Pediatric Dentists.

Although they don’t last as long as permanent teeth, your child’s first teeth play an important role in development. While they’re in place, the primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth.

If a child loses a tooth too early (due to damage or decay), nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your youngster’s general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.

Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on our teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, and eventually eat through the enamel and create holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

Make sure your child brushes his or her teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, because flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can’t.

Avoid sugary foods and drinks, limit snacking, and maintain a healthy diet. Make regular appointments so we can check the health of your son or daughter’s teeth and provide professional cleanings. If you are on well water, consult your pediatric dentist regarding your child’s fluoride exposure and potential need for a fluoride supplement.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that all children brush twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste. It is normal and expected for most young children to eat some if not all of the toothpaste. To make sure that they are not getting too much fluoride, we recommend that children under 3 years of age should use a smear of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Children ages 3 -6 years should use a pea size amount. Continue to practice spitting as part of the oral hygiene routine.

Thumb sucking is very normal in early childhood and can be difficult to address as children get older. The pressure from the thumb on the palate can move the front teeth forward and create a narrow top jaw. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends to stop sucking habits (including thumb and pacifier) by age 3, as changes to your child’s bite and jaw development can often correct without intervention at a young age. Our pediatric dentists are happy to discuss methods to stop thumb sucking habits at any routine dental visit. We will monitor your child’s growth and development and consult the orthodontist if needed in the future.

We generally recommend scheduling checkups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child’s oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent cavities. It can be found in toothpaste, some community water supplies, and professional dental treatments.

If you think your child may have a dental emergency, visit our emergencies page to help you decide the severity of response needed. Call our office if there are any questions along the way.

We recommend taking X-rays around the age of three or four. The first set consists of simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth, which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth in back are touching one another, then regular (at least yearly) X-rays are recommended.

Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and X-rays help us make sure your youngster’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. If your son or daughter is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having X-rays taken at an earlier age.

Dental X-rays are safe for children and are used sparingly with appropriate safety measures and modern, low-radiation techniques. Learn more about our diagnostic imaging.

Help your child overcome fear of the dentist by choosing a child-friendly dental practice, explaining what will happen in positive terms, and staying calm and supportive during visits.

Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.

Clean your baby’s teeth with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste. Gently brush all surfaces twice a day. Learn more about proper baby teeth brushing in our resource center.

Signs of teething include drooling, chewing on objects, irritability, and sometimes a slight increase in temperature. Red, swollen gums are also a common symptom.

Yes, even children’s sports involve contact now, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.