Dental Home – Latest News from Children's Dental Specialties

Picking The Perfect Dental Home for Your Child

Posted on June 9, 2016March 18, 2021

Choosing a primary doctor or dentist for your child can be a hard and confusing process. So, how can you choose the right dentist for your children? We’ve outlined a few reasons why pediatric dentists are the absolute best choice to be your kids’ dental home.

Pediatric Dentists Make Office Visits Fun

Pediatric dental offices seek to foster a fun and inviting environment that is specifically designed for children. The comfort of your child is one of the most important factors in creating a positive association with visiting the dentist, so we recommend reviewing our practice’s photos to see if they will enjoy their visit. You can also check out our social media channels to get a feel for how fun we are! Facebook is a great place to look for news about our practice, and it’s also a good spot to read some of our patient reviews.

Trained to Care for Children

Pediatric dentists have had 2-3 years of special training to care for young children and adolescents. Check out the “about us” section of our website to learn more about our dentist’s degrees, professional associations and affiliations, as well as distinguishes and honors. You can rest easy knowing that we have had extensive training which has equipped us to care for your child.

Sensitive to Special Healthcare Needs

Does your child need any special attention or procedures? Before coming in for a visit, scan our website to see if we offer any specific procedures your child requires. We are specifically trained to treat children with specific healthcare needs. Call us to speak with an office administrator about the different care options that we provide.

Stress-Free First Visit

Introducing children to a dentist can be a difficult task for any parent. Kids are usually very nervous to visit the doctor or dentist for the first time for a variety of reasons. Pediatric dentists know this, which is why we offer relaxed “meet and greets” for their first office visit. The first visit is a great way for you to speak with us about our practice, and it gives you a chance to gauge how your child responds to the new surroundings. Before you arrive, be sure to tell them that their first visit won’t involve any procedures or “chair time.” Remind them that you are there to meet some new people who want to help them get a healthy smile!

From Toddler to Teen

Pediatric dentists care for children of all ages. From first tooth to adolescence, we help your child develop a healthy smile until they’re ready to move on to a general dentist. We work with you to teach your kids healthy brushing habits, inform them about the importance of flossing, and give them dietary tips that will keep their mouth clean for years to come.

Give Us a Call

We would love to speak with you about your child and their dental needs. Establishing a dental home early is very important, so we suggest that you bring your toddler in right after their first tooth emerges. We see children of all ages, so call us and schedule an office tour! We want to make visiting the dentist fun, so stop by and see why pediatric dentistry is the way to go for your children!

Help! My Child is Afraid to Visit the Dentist!

Posted on October 8, 2015March 18, 2021

One of our central goals is to help children have a more positive view of going to the dentist. We feel that preventing and alleviating the fear associated with dental visits is important in encouraging future overall oral health. Adults who are not afraid to go to the dentist are more likely to keep up with regular visits and be proactive in the care of their teeth. We also believe that parents can play a vital role by working with us as a team. Here are four steps you can take in helping your child not be afraid of the dentist.

Introduce your child to our practice outside of any procedure.

The first visit to your pediatric dentist should be relaxed and non-formal. Starting early usually ensures that this visit can be more of a “meet and greet” and won’t involve any major procedures.

Avoid using negative words when talking about the dental visit.

As we mentioned in our previous post on finding a dental home, it’s important to stay away from words that connote fear. Avoid saying things like drill, pain, hurt and shot.

Understand your own fear.

Recent studies have shown that a parent’s own fears of the dentist are transferred to your child. Evaluate how much of your fears are substantiated. Consider which conversations about your own dental care are appropriate for your child to hear.

Prepare for the dentist.

Make going to the dentist a truly fun event. You can build excitement for the experience and plan a fun day that centers around the visit.Above all else, it’s important to stay positive. Your child will sense your mood and will respond to it.

7 Tips for Teething Babies

Posted on July 31, 2014March 18, 2021

Teething can be an uncomfortable time for babies, with little gums experiencing tenderness and swelling as emerging teeth break through the surface. In light of a recent FDA warning against using lidocaine for teething infants, we wanted to put together a few helpful tips for managing this sometimes-difficult time for your child.

Massage sore gums.

Gently rubbing your baby’s tender gums with a clean finger or soft cloth can help alleviate some teething pain. Applying slight pressure to the gums offers temporary relief from soreness and is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your child more comfortable.

Find a teething ring that your baby loves.

We recommend sticking to teething rings that are made of solid rubber because those filled with liquid can sometimes break. Experiment with different types or sizes until your baby shows you which one he or she clearly prefers.

Stay cool, but not frozen.

While it’s fairly common to give babies cold washcloths or teething rings that have been in the freezer, it’s best to use one that is simply cold. Your baby’s gums are very sensitive and contact with frozen objects could actually harm them. If you do use a frozen teething ring, you might consider giving it a few minutes to warm up or unthaw.

Consider cold foods.

If your baby is beginning to eat solid foods, you may try offering large chunks of vegetables for gnawing. It’s important to always carefully watch your baby and remember that choking can occur easily, with babies being able to bite off small pieces. A good solution is mesh feeders that allow children to taste foods without the fear of choking.

Keep a clean cloth nearby.

Teething often causes excessive drooling which can irritate your baby’s chin and neck if consistently left to dry. Instead, have a soft cloth handy to gently dab away saliva regularly.

Remember that teething isn’t sickness.

Teething is normal and natural that shouldn’t be accompanied by symptoms of illness outside of an occasional mild or low-grade temperature (under 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius). Your baby may be irritable or fussy during teething, but high fevers are caused by viral infections and not teething. Contact your pediatrician if you sense your child may be getting ill.

Don’t forget to establish a Dental Home.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends establishing a dental home by age one or at the emergence of the first tooth, whichever comes first. If your child is teething, and you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office!