Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I use a children's specialist instead of my general dentist?
 A: It's the same reason you use a pediatrician instead of an internist for your child. A pediatric dentist is a general dentist who was trained in all phases of dentistry, and then studied an additional two to three years concentrating on pediatric medicine, child psychology, and growth and development. Most pedodontists also have more orthodontic training than a general dentist. 

2. Is it more expensive to go to a specialist? 
A: No. Just as it does not cost more to see a pediatrician, a pediatric dentist's fees are comparable to those your family dentist charges. The pedodontists treat children because they love to treat children. 

3. How old should my child be when I schedule her first visit? 
A: Age one or two. The toughest age for a first dental experience is around age four. In the child's psychological development, that age is sometimes called the age of fears. Four year olds are afraid of the dark, monsters, and new experiences. They cannot differentiate between make believe and reality. That is why Santa Claus and the tooth fairy are real! One and two year olds, however, are fearless, and a first visit to see the dentist at that age usually results in setting the tone for future positive experiences. 

4. What is done at the first visit? 
A: The dentist will examine your child, including hard and soft tissues, tonsils, lips, cheeks and alignment of teeth. The doctor will discuss habits (thumb and pacifiers), nursing, nutrition, proper oral hygiene techniques, and predict future growth and orthodontic development. As much time as necessary will be spent with you, the parent, until all of your questions are answered. Statistically, 40% of two year old children in the United States have a cavity. Our office prides itself in the fact that over 90% of our 6 month recall patients are cavity free! We will discuss that with you as well. 

5. How should I prepare my child for the first visit? 
A: The best way to prepare your child is not to prepare at all. Children are very perceptive and can "read" your apprehensions, no matter how subtle. When parents try to ease the visit, they often say things like, "We're going to the dentist, and they don't hurt or anything." The child hears "dentist" and "hurt". Think about it. We don't say, "we're going to the supermarket, and you don't have to be afraid", so why prepare for the dentist? Merely tell your child on the day of the visit that today, we are going to visit the dentist, and they count your teeth. If your child asks questions, tell him "I don't know, but you can ask the dentist yourself!" This is true because dentistry has changed drastically from the days when you were young, and chances are the things you remembered are very different.

6. Since baby teeth fall out, do they still have to be filled? 
A: Primary teeth, or baby teeth last approximately 1/7th of a lifetime. Cavities in primary teeth can cause toothaches and infections, just as they do in adults. Moreover, an infection in the baby tooth can result in damage to the underlying permanent tooth. If a primary tooth is lost prematurely, the back teeth may move forward into the empty space and block out the unerupted permanent tooth creating an impaction and an orthodontic problem.

 7. My husband was cavity prone as a child. Will my child be cavity prone too?
 A: There is a genetic component to being cavity prone. There are actually many reasons why a child can be decay prone. Among these, dry mouths, pitted or deeply grooved teeth, presence or absence of fluoride in the drinking water, frequency of eating, and oral hygiene are all factors. Each child is different, and we are proud of ourselves because most of our 6 month check-up patients are decay free. We will discuss your child's condition with you and customize a prevention program that is practical and effective.

 8. My child is five years old and still sucks her thumb. How can I encourage her to stop? 
A: Pacifiers should be discontinued when a child no longer nurses or is on a bottle. Thumbs are trickier because they are attached. Over retained sucking habits will cause distortions in the jaws resulting in a gaping jaw or open bite. As the child ages, the tongue rests in the opening between the upper and lower front teeth creating speech problems (lisps) and swallowing disorders. Most children stop sucking thumbs before age five because of social pressures or teasing from other children. For those who cannot stop, we can offer some simple techniques that you can try at home. In extreme cases, there are "thumb guards" that can be attached to the teeth to stop the habit.

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. 

Please e-mail or write to smile@rosenpitcherdental.com, and we'll respond as quickly as we can.