Frequently Asked Questions

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Your child's first appointment should be as soon as their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday - whichever is first!  

2x a day for 2 minutes!! At night, make sure to floss before you brush. 

Children should have help from parents until the age of 8.  

If your child has braces, brushing should take place 3 times a day. 

ACT mouthwash is recommended for children ages 6 and up to help slow the progression of small cavities. 

Brushing should start as soon as the first tooth erupts and even before that first tooth erupts wet gauze can be used to clean the gums. 

Tooth decay is caused by a combination of sugary foods, poor oral hygiene, and acidic production of bacteria. Having a great oral hygiene routine and minimizing sugary sweets and drinks can help to prevent tooth decay and promote healthy living. 

We would evaluate the need for frenectomy, which would be the release of tissue under the tongue and sometimes in the area where the two top front teeth erupt. We would recommend you to see a lactation consultant as well as a myofunctional therapist if needed. We have an electrosurge in office to optimize treatment and make the treatment as quick and comfortable as possible. This is also the type of treatment if your child is having difficulty with speech. 

If primary teeth are lost early, it is important to maintain space for the eruption of the permanent teeth. Appliances can be fabricated to help prevent additional crowding. There are different types depending on the number of teeth lost. 

Orthodontic appliances can be fabricated to prevent digit sucking and tongue thrusting. 

Dental sealants are preventative "shields" that cover the grooves of the biting surfaces. Sealants are a preventative treatment that is highly recommended! Silver diamine fluoride, also known as SDF, is a topical medicament that can be used to treat hypersensitivity as well as to help arrest decay.

In our office, we have monitoring devices that track blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and pulse. We also have capnography, in addition to a precordial stethoscope, that helps monitor breathing. Reversal drugs are present as well and the procedure is very safe under supervision by our pediatric dentist. 

Absolutely - for any orthodontic needs including whitening and nightguards. For general dentistry needs, we will refer you to a nearby dentist. Any adult with special needs is welcome for all forms of dental treatment. 

We provide a sleep apnea questionnaire to all patients. We evaluate the size of the tonsils as well as look for other signs that your child may be experiencing breathing issues while sleeping. We can then refer you to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist to perform a sleep study and diagnose your child. Typically treatment options include removing the tonsils and adenoids to aid in better breathing and at our office we can expand the upper arch to help with tongue positioning and alleviate potential symptoms.  

If possible, we recommend replacing the tooth in the socket as soon as possible after lightly rinsing with water. If not possible, we recommend placing the tooth in Hank's Balanced Salt Solution (if that is not available we suggest cold milk). Then give us a call and we will schedule you immediately! Dental traumas are very common and should be handled as soon as possible so do not hesitate to give us a call! 

Yes! At this time, everyone must wear a mask and observe social distancing inside the office! The office is cleaned and disinfected after every patient. Air purifiers are in place and your safety is our top priority!