Frequently Asked Questions:Pediatric Providers

The First Dental Visit

Teeth coming,

teeth going

Bottles, Sippy Cups, and Thumb-

sucking

Keeping Teeth Clean

Common Dental Issues

10 10 10 10 10

20 20 20 20 20

30 30 30 30 30

40 40 40 40 40

Dental Trivia!

The First Visit for 10!At what age should my child first see a dentist?

1 year oldYour child should visit a

pediatric dentist when their first tooth comes in, usually

between 6 & 12 months. Establishing a dental home early can prevent decay in

the future.

The First Visit for 20!How often should my child

see the dentist?

Every six months!An exam, cleaning, and

fluoride treatment is recommended twice per year to prevent cavities. It also allows the dentist

to track your child’s dental development.

The First Visit for 30!True or False: My child should get a fluoride

treatment at the dentist every six months.True!

A fluoride treatment is like vitamins for your teeth.

They are excellent in helping teeth stay healthy,

and we recommend a treatment every 6 months. In fact, studies show that toddlers who get fluoride

twice a year are four times less likely to have cavities.

The First Visit for 40!True or False: My child has to

be added to our dental insurance before I can bring

them in.

We offer free new patient visits for all children under the age of 2 if they are not yet added to your dental

insurance plan.

False!

Teeth Coming, Teeth Going for 10!

At what age will my baby start getting teeth?5-12 months of age

Teeth Coming, Teeth Going for 20!

True or False: There is one solution for teething that

works better than the rest.False!Every child responds to teething

a little bit differently, and the things that will soothe that child will vary as well. Some

suggestions:1. Cold rings or washcloths2. Rub the gums with finger3. Topical anesthetics when

feeding4. Children’s acetaminophen or

ibuprofen

Teeth Coming, Teeth Going for 30!

True or False: Diarrhea, rashes, and fever are a normal part of teething.False!

As their teeth erupt, some babies may become fussy, sleepless and irritable, lose their appetite or drool more than

usual.

Diarrhea, rashes and a fever are not normal for a teething baby. If your infant has a fever or diarrhea while

teething or continues to be cranky and uncomfortable, call your physician.

Teeth Coming, Teeth Going for 40!

When will my child start losing teeth?5-7 years old

Children usually lose their teeth in

almost the same order they come in.

Bottles, Pacifiers, Sippy Cups, and Thumbsucking for

10!Is it okay to let my child fall

asleep with a bottle?No!When your child falls to sleep with a bottle, it leaves milk sitting on their teeth all night

long, which can cause decay.

Bottles, Pacifiers, Sippy Cups, and Thumbsucking for

20!At what age should bottle or breast feeding be stopped?12-14 months!Switching to a cup for all liquids after a child’s first

birthday allows for a more regulated drinking

schedule.

Bottles, Pacifiers, Sippy Cups, and Thumbsucking for

30!What is the only drink my child should have in their sippy cup during the day?Water!

Allowing a child to drink sugary liquids like juice from their sippy cups periodically throughout the

day allows for repeated acid attacks on their teeth.

Bottles, Pacifiers, Sippy Cups and Thumbsucking for 40!

By what age should my child stop any thumb/pacifier

habits?Three!Thumbsucking is perfectly

normal for infants. Most stop around the age of 2. It should be discouraged after

the age of 3. Prolonged thumbsucking can create crowded, crooked teeth.

Keeping Teeth Clean for 10!At what age should I start cleaning my baby’s teeth?

6-12 months of ageWhile your baby is toothless, wipe his/her gums down with a

wet washcloth after each feeding.

With the eruption of the first teeth, clean your child’s gum with a soft infant fingerbrush.

At 12-18 months, start brushing with a toddler-sized

toothbrush.

Keeping Teeth Clean for 20!At what age should my child

start using toothpaste?12 months of age

Between 12-24 months, use only a smear of toothpaste. After 2, use no more than a pea-sized amount. Fluoridated toothpaste is okay

after 12 months of age.

Keeping Teeth Clean for 30!At what age should I let my child brush their teeth on

their own?3 years old (with help)Around the age of 3, it is great to

let your child brush their teeth on their own.

However, until you feel they are doing a great job, you should

brush their teeth as well. Let your child brush for one minute, and then brush their teeth for one minute yourself.

Keeping Teeth Clean for 40!When should I start flossing

my child’s teeth?As soon as there are two

teeth that touch!

The sooner you can start the habit as part of your normal oral healthcare routine, the

better!

Common Dental Issues for 10!True or False: This picture

shows what is called “double-parking.”True!

Sometimes permanent teeth start coming in before baby teeth have had enough time to be wiggled out. Your

child can try to wiggle out the baby teeth, or the dentist may need to extract them in the office.

Common Dental Issues for 20!My child fell and bumped his

baby tooth. It looks okay…do I need to call the dentist?

Yes!It is important to check for

damage to the root of the tooth, and this is usually

something that can only be seen with an x-ray.

Common Dental Issues for 30!My child is grinding his/her teeth at night. Should I be

worried?Not until the permanent teeth are in

Tooth grinding is very common for children. There is no

need to worry unless you see excess wear on the

teeth. Once the permanent teeth are in, it may be

necessary for your child to wear a mouth guard at

night.

Common Dental Issues for 40!My child has a sore on his/her

gums. What do I do?Call your dentist!

If your child has red, puffy gums and/or a

sore that looks sort of like a pimple, call your dentist immediately.

This could be a serious infection that needs immediate attention.

A little bit about our practice!We have 3 office locations:

Arvada, at 64th and McIntyreGreenwood Village, at Orchard and Holly

Centennial, at Orchard and Parker

We are open Monday-Friday We offer both late and early appointments to help

navigate school schedules and after school activities.

We offer the latest technology

We have digital intraoral and extraoral x-rays, along with intraoral camera images. We have TVs and

video games available for both patients and parents.

More Questions? Please don’t hesitate to ask!

Feel free to call or email the office at any time with any questions. We are here to help with all of your dental

needs!