FAQ

Prevention

We know prevention routines look different for every family, so we focus on customizing your strategies at your regular check-ups. These are some of the most common questions we get about oral hygiene.

What are the best snacks to prevent cavities?

Veggies, nuts, cheese, and meat all have minimal sugar and carbohydrates so they are not likely to contribute to causing cavities.

When can my child complete their oral health routine independently?

Once a child can clearly write their name between two straight lines, they should have the dexterity required to brush and floss properly.

What are the most important changes to make if my child has been diagnosed with cavities or cavities are beginning to form?

The two most effective methods to stop or limit progression of cavities are limiting snacking and ensuring sufficient fluoride exposure. Frequent snacking bathes teeth in fermentable carbohydrates that cause cavities. With fluoride you don’t want too much or too little- we’ve got to get it just right to prevent cavities!

Emergencies

Not every facial trauma will require immediate attention, but we do want to encourage you to contact us any time you’re not sure what to do. We recommend taking pictures right away and calling our office number- even on nights and weekends.

What should we do if a tooth is knocked out?

First, give us a call! We are always available to help you determine next steps. Place the tooth in milk, saliva, or saline solution and hurry to our office so we can evaluate if reimplantation is appropriate. If you are far away from our office, we might walk you through the reimplantation process over video chat so we make sure the cells surrounding the tooth stay alive. For baby teeth, reimplantation is not typically appropriate but you are welcome to bring the tooth in for us to evaluate.

What if part of a tooth chips off?

Call our office first and we’ll review pictures or schedule an appointment to see if the chip can be reattached. If possible, save the fragment and bring it with you but don’t fret if you can’t find it. We can always fabricate the missing piece with filling material.

What can we do to prevent oral injuries?

We do expect all kids to take tumbles! Your kids will get bumps and bruises, but we can focus on strategies to avoid the most severe trauma. When your child is young, baby-proofing your home is one of the best ways to prevent injury. For older kids, athletic mouth guards are a must.

Treatment

Discovering your child needs a dental procedure can be overwhelming for any parent. We understand your concerns and are committed to providing clear, reassuring information. To help ease your mind, we've compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about pediatric dental treatments. Our goal is to ensure you feel fully informed and comfortable every step of the way.

Can I stay with my child during their treatment appointment?

Absolutely! You know your child best and can help guide us. We have also found that kids can be confused when both a parent and our team are giving instructions, so we ask that you be a silent observer during treatment. Of course we want you to speak up if you have pertinent information that we haven't yet discussed.

How can we get my wiggly kid to sit still for treatment?

First, we want to get to know your child and build trust with them. If they trust us, we can typically walk them through the steps of their appointment with the aid of nitrous oxide alone. Nitrous oxide can relax your child and typically they will sit still for a longer time. One reason we find nitrous oxide so useful is that the concentration is easily controlled and within 5 minutes of turning it off they will no longer feel the effects. For some kids, dental treatment is sensory overload, and we might suggest mild sedation or general anesthesia to ensure they have a positive experience.

What should we expect after a treatment visit?

If the treatment required local anesthetic and your child is numb, you will want to make sure they eat a soft diet until they have regained sensation. If we have administered sedatives or completed a surgical procedure, your child will need close supervision and we will provide more detailed instructions.

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