FAQs from experienced kids dentist
Pediatric Dentistry
- When should I take my child to his or her first dental checkup? According the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should see a pediatric dentist when their first tooth comes in or by no later than the age of one.
- How often should I brush and floss my kids' teeth? According to the American Dental Association (ADA), brushing should be twice a day and flossing once a day.
- When should I first start flossing my kids? It is recommended that flossing should start when two teeth touch. Regular string floss or floss sticks may be used.
- When should I use toothpaste, and how much toothpaste should I use? According to the AAPD, the sooner the better. Starting at birth, clean the gums with a soft infant toothbrush, washcloth, or water. If the child swallows, a smear or a single grain of rice amount is appropriate, and when the child is able to spit it out, a pea-sized amount is appropriate. Use an age-appropriate toothbrush.
- When does the first tooth come in? When do children lose their first tooth? Generally, a child's first tooth comes in at about 6 months of age, and the first baby tooth is lost naturally at about 6 years of age. Children have 20 primary (baby) teeth, and adults have 32 permanent teeth.
- Are baby teeth important? Yes! They affect your child's ability to speak clearly, to eat naturally, and they allow a path for the adult teeth to come in.
- What happens if a tooth gets chipped or broken or fractured? If your child has chipped or broken a piece of a tooth, rinse his or her mouth with warm water and then use a cold compress to reduce swelling. Try to locate the tooth fragment that broke off and call us immediately.
- What happens if the tooth gets knocked out? If your child's tooth has been knocked out, find the tooth and rinse it with water (no soap), taking care only to touch the crown of the tooth (the part of the tooth you usually can see in your child smiles). Place the tooth in a clean container filled with milk. Call us immediately and/or head to the hospital. The sooner you come to the office, the higher the likelihood of saving the tooth.
- What insurance do you accept? Glen Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry participates with most major dental insurances. Call our office today at (201) 345-3133 to assist you and to verify if our office participates with your insurance.
- What payment options do you accept? We accept most major credit cards, most major insurance, and Care Credit. Ask about our in-office membership plan.
Orthodontics FAQs
Orthodontics
- When should my child first be seen by the orthodontist? The American Association of Orthodontics recommends taking your child to see the orthodontist by age 7.
- Can adults have orthodontics? Absolutely! It is never too late to get orthodontics, and many of our patients are adults who either had treatment as a child and would like to treat crowding that has occurred over time or patients who have never had orthodontic treatment. Orthodontics is for all ages! We offer clear braces and Invisalign treatment options that many adults prefer.
- How long will my child or I be in orthodontic treatment? The length of treatment depends on each individual's needs and compliance level and also depends on whether you or your child is in Phase I or Phase II orthodontics. Please contact us for a consultation to determine the best treatment course for you or your child, and we will provide our best estimate for how long treatment will last.
- What happens if my child breaks a bracket or a wire is poking? If a bracket is broken please call our office at your earliest convenience and schedule an appointment to have the bracket re-bonded in order to ensure continuity of treatment. If a wire is poking and you or your child are experiencing discomfort, please use orthodontic wax to mitigate any discomfort until you are able to come into the office to be seen.
- May I schedule my child's pediatric dental appointment and orthodontics appointment on the same day and same time? Absolutely! Our goal is to make your busy lives easier. Our orthodontics patients will be scheduled on the same day in consecutive appointments with their pediatric hygiene appointments to the extent we can schedule.
