At what age should I bring my child to The Children’s Dental Office?
Baby teeth usually begin to emerge between six months and one year of age. When those first teeth begin to erupt is the time to make an appointment. Your child is at risk of developing tooth decay unless good hygiene habits are established. Early intervention and preventative care will protect your child’s teeth, and develop positive habits and attitudes, which, if continued, can help make for a healthier, happier life.

Why should my child come to The Children’s Dental Office instead of seeing my dentist?
Dr. Healy has additional years of extensive training specializing in the specific needs of children’s oral health from infancy through the high school years. She is also trained in a variety of methods to help your child feel more comfortable, creating positive experiences in the dental office. The Children’s Dental Office is designed to cater to children. It is our goal to instill in children at a very young age, the importance of good dental hygiene to their overall health and happiness and with the help of informed parents, transfer those ideals into active, healthy habits for life.

Can cavities be prevented?
A cavity is an infection in the tooth. Bacteria in the mouth produce plaque that leaves a film on teeth. When the plaque interacts with sugars and starches in the foods we eat, acid is produced that erodes the enamel on the tooth causing a whole or cavity. Left untreated the tooth continues to decay and the bacteria spreads.

To prevent this from happening to your child’s teeth, talk to Dr. Healy about several pro-active habits you can instill in your child at an early age:
- Schedule regular checkups for your child with The Children’s Dental Office (every six months)
- Make sure your child brushes and flosses after meals (or at least twice a day)
- Eat a healthy diet
- Minimize snacking between meals (especially on sugar or starches)
- Talk to Dr. Healy about sealants for your child’s teeth
- Get appropriate amounts of fluoride

What is a sealant?
A sealant is a plastic resin that Dr. Healy may place in the grooves of the chewing surfaces of the teeth to prevent food from becoming trapped and causing decay.

Why bother to fill a primary tooth since it’s not a permanent tooth?
Primary teeth play an important role in a child’s development. Optimal nutrition can only be obtained by chewing food completely. Teeth are required for proper speech development. They also aid in the development of the jawbone and facial muscles. The baby teeth reserve a space for permanent teeth and help to guide them into position, making it important for those teeth to remain until they come out naturally. Some of the primary teeth may be in the mouth for 12 or more years. And, of course, clean, shiny teeth improve the appearance of every child.

What if a permanent tooth starts to come in before the baby tooth comes out?
If the baby tooth is loose, it will probably come out on its own within a short time. If it remains firmly planted, an extraction may be needed. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Healy to assess this fairly common situation.

What if a primary tooth is extracted or lost before its ready to come out naturally?
When primary teeth are lost prematurely, a space maintainer should be placed to retain the space for the permanent tooth that will erupt later. It will also keep existing teeth from shifting. Dr. Healy may be able to make a minor correction that will prevent more extensive dental work in the future.

Are dental x-rays safe?
We use state-of-the-art-technology using very low levels of radiation, so there is very little risk from receiving dental x-rays. The benefits are huge in that they can be used to detect tumors, cavities between teeth, bone disease, evaluate injuries, and determine growth patterns.

What about fluoride?
Fluoride has been proven to dramatically aid in the prevention of cavities. It can be found naturally in water and is frequently added to many community water supplies. It can be ingested through drinking fluorinated water, taken as a supplement, or it can be applied directly to the teeth through treatments, toothpaste, and fluorinated mouth rinses. However, too much fluoride can be a problem. Talk with Dr. Healy regarding the appropriate amount of fluoride your child requires.

Can I stay with my child during an examination or treatment?
Dr Healy provides special seating for parents in the hygiene bay area as infants and very young children sometimes feel more confident if the parent is close by. However, many children actually do better and relate to the doctor and staff more openly if the parents stay in the waiting room. Again, if the parents are positive and matter of fact about the visit (i.e. not making a big deal out of it), children generally are positive about it too.

What if my child is already afraid of dental treatment?
Because of the design of the office and a staff who enjoys working with children, most kids feel quite comfortable visiting Dr. Healy and her staff. For the child who is anxious about his or her treatment, Dr. Healy will review your child’s medical history, assess the situation and, precluding any respiratory conditions you report, may recommend using nitrous oxide.

What exactly is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide is a very safe non-allergenic gas used as a sedative to calm a fearful child or a child with a strong gag reflex. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry. It is well tolerated, has a rapid onset, is reversible, and can be adjusted in various concentrations. Your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen. He/she will be capable of responding to a question or request. Nitrous oxide/oxygen may not be effective for some children especially those who cannot breathe effectively through their nose due to congestion.

Is it really necessary to come in every six months?
Professional cleanings will detect the areas where your child may be missing when brushing and instruct him on how to do a better job thus lowering the risk of cavities developing. Six month cleanings also remove tartar and stains which will not come off with normal brushing and flossing and may lead to periodontal (gum) disease. Professional fluoride treatments help to strengthen the enamel making the teeth more resistant to decay. And regular 6 month exams help to detect any possibly developing cavities while they are still small, thus requiring less extensive and therefore less expensive restorative treatment. Regularly scheduled visits at the Children’s Dental Office also allow Dr. Healy to observe any abnormalities or potential problems with your child’s normal growth and development, which if caught early, could eliminate the need for major corrections later in life.