FAQS

We're happy to welcome you to our practice. We'll start by obtaining a complete medical and dental history for your child and will ask you about any current concerns. We will evaluate the health of your child’s teeth, gums, and any existing dental work to ensure there are no concerns from our perspective. Dental x-rays will be obtained as signs and symptoms indicate and cooperation allows. We will also perform a head and neck exam on your child, to evaluate their salivary glands and lymph nodes, and will conduct an oral cancer screening to rule out potential abnormalities.

Your child will likely receive care from our dental hygienist, who will remove plaque and tartar buildup from your child’s tooth surfaces and along their gum line. We’ll also polish your child’s teeth and floss between them to remove any remaining plaque and debris. We will also recommend a fluoride varnish treatment to lower your child’s risk of future tooth decay.

At the conclusion of your child’s appointment, we will discuss any current needs and preventive measures required to keep your child’s smile healthy. We will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan for your child’s long-term oral health.

Based on guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), we recommend that children have their first dental appointment when their first tooth erupts or by their first birthday. We also suggest you schedule dental visits for your child at intervals determined by your dentist. In general, we recommend twice-yearly exams and cleanings. However, some patients with gum disease, extensive tooth decay or orthodontics may require more frequent appointments. Our team will evaluate your child’s unique needs and recommend the ideal frequency of visits to maintain their healthy smile.

Even if your child doesn’t have any symptoms of dental problems, routine dental exams and cleanings are critical for maintaining optimal oral health. They help detect problems in their earliest stages before they produce symptoms and lower the risk of new tooth decay or gum disease. Maintaining proper oral hygiene care at home and keeping up with your child’s routine dental visits are the best ways to promote healthy smiles for life.

If your child has a dental emergency, we'll do everything we can to provide a same-day appointment. Please call our office for guidance if you need urgent dental care outside our office hours.

A dental emergency is a situation requiring urgent care to relieve severe pain, treat an infection, save a tooth, or control bleeding. Our highly trained and experienced team is fully equipped and prepared to deal with different dental emergencies.

We urge you to call us right away if you feel your child requires urgent dental care. However, if your child experiences a life-threatening emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, a fractured jaw, or a concussion call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.

We understand that many of our patients have loved ones who are fearful of the dentist. We encourage our families to use child-friendly dental language around nervous patients to help make their experience more positive.  Some examples include “toothbrush” instead of “drill,” and “sleepy juice” instead of “shot.”  Our gentle techniques, sedation dentistry options, and personalized care will help alleviate your child’s worries and promote a comfortable and anxiety-free dental environment.