FAQs

A pedodontist is a dentist who has received advanced specialty training in meeting the dental needs of children from infancy to adolescence. Pedodontists, also referred to as "pediatric dentists," during the course of their post graduate training extensively study child development and psychology, behavior management, caring for children with special needs, methods of handling oral/facial trauma, anesthesia and sedation methods, as well as develop a comprehensive understanding of facial growth and dental development.

In addition to all of this, pedodontists acquire the hands-on clinical skills to successfully treat the dental needs of every child at every stage of development. Pedodontists truly enjoy working with children and strive to make each of their dental care experiences a positive one.

Even before your child is born, their first set of teeth is already forming. In fact, before they are a year old their new teeth will start to appear in their mouth. This is why maintaining their oral health becomes such an important consideration at such an early point in their lives.

According to the American Dental Association parents are advised to have their baby see the dentist around the time of their first birthday.

Your baby's first teeth will start to appear in the 6 to 12 month range. While this is an extraordinary milestone, you need to be aware that your baby may find the experience a little bit uncomfortable. Teething can make them feel irritable. They may be fussy, have trouble sleeping, not want to eat, and be drooling quite a bit.

While you are powerless to speed up the process of teething, there are a few things that you can do to soothe your baby as their new teeth are erupting into place. Common approaches to helping your baby feel more comfortable while getting their new teeth include teething rings or a cold spoon or moist gauze rubbed over their gums.

Even for these few new teeth, it is important to establish an oral healthcare regimen for your baby. For information on when your baby's first set of teeth will erupt into place, consult this time line from the American Dental Association.

Thumb sucking is a natural reflex for babies and young children. It provides comfort and security. However, prolonged thumb sucking can affect the development of your child's teeth and jaw.

Most children stop thumb sucking on their own between ages 2 and 4. If your child continues past age 4, or if you notice changes in their teeth alignment, talk to us. We can suggest gentle strategies to help your child break the habit and discuss any orthodontic considerations.

Stay calm — children take cues from parents. Then call your nearest office immediately. We'll advise you over the phone and get your child seen as quickly as possible.

For a knocked-out permanent tooth:

• Find the tooth and handle it only by the crown (not the root)
• Gently rinse it with water if dirty — don't scrub
• Try to place the tooth back in the socket, or keep it moist in milk or saliva
• Get to our office within 30 minutes if possible

For a toothache: Rinse with warm water, floss gently to remove any trapped food, and call us.

We recommend dental checkups every six months for most children. Regular visits allow us to catch small problems before they become big ones, apply preventive treatments like fluoride and sealants, and reinforce good oral hygiene habits.

Some children may need more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. We'll work with you to determine the best schedule for your child.

Yes. We use modern digital X-ray technology that produces significantly less radiation than traditional film X-rays. We also use lead aprons and thyroid collars for additional protection.

We only take X-rays when clinically necessary — they help us detect cavities between teeth, monitor developing permanent teeth, and identify problems that aren't visible during a regular exam. The benefits of early detection far outweigh the minimal radiation exposure.

Cavity prevention involves several key practices:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (pea-sized amount for kids 3+)
• Floss daily once teeth touch each other
• Limit sugary snacks and drinks — especially sticky candies and sodas
• Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice
• Get dental sealants on permanent molars when they erupt
• Keep regular dental checkups every 6 months

We'll work with you to develop a prevention plan tailored to your child's specific needs.

Children should have parental supervision and help with brushing until around age 6-7, when they develop the coordination to brush effectively on their own. Even then, we recommend parents check their work periodically.

A helpful guideline: if your child can tie their own shoes, they probably have the dexterity to brush properly. Until then, let them practice brushing, then follow up to make sure all surfaces are clean.

Dental anxiety is very common in children, and we're experienced in helping kids feel comfortable. Our office is designed to be welcoming and child-friendly, and our team uses age-appropriate language to explain everything we do.

Tips to help your child:

• Stay positive — avoid words like "hurt," "pain," or "shot"
• Read children's books about visiting the dentist
• Play "dentist" at home to familiarize them with the process
• Let them bring a comfort item like a stuffed animal

For children with significant anxiety, we offer sedation options to help them relax during treatment.

Yes, we accept Medicaid and most major dental insurance plans. We want to make quality pediatric dental care accessible to all families.

Please call your nearest office to verify that we accept your specific plan. Our staff will be happy to help you understand your coverage and any out-of-pocket costs before treatment.

Yes! Parents are welcome to stay with their children during all services performed at our office. We believe parental presence provides comfort and security, especially for younger children or during their first visits.

This is one of the things that sets us apart. We want you to see exactly what we're doing and be there to support your child throughout their visit.