Asheville Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. William L. Chambers is a dentist and has answered some of the common questions Bizymoms visitors have about Pediatric Dentistry.


Q. When should parents take their children to have their first checkup?

A. Ideally, infants should see a pediatric dentist for their first visit within six months after the eruption of the first tooth, but not later than their first birthday. Great beginning is so committed to this concept that we offer free initial exams to all children 14 months and younger through our baby oral heath program (B.O.H.P). On this visit we will cover issues related to your child’s diet, snacking habits, any overall health of their mouth, teeth and gums. Providing a dental home for your child is important for us.

Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?

A. Begin cleaning the baby’s mouth during first few days after the birth. After every feeding, wipe the baby’s gum with a clean, wet gauze pad or with a wash cloth or towel. This removes plaque and residual food and help children become accustomed to having their mouth checked. When your infant’s teeth begin to erupt, it is important to clean them regularly. Once teeth appear, brush teeth gently with a child’s size soft tooth brush and water. You can use non-fluorinated toothpaste if you desire. Position your child so you can see into the mouth easily; you might want to sit, resting his head in your lap. When your child can predictably spit and not swallow toothpaste, begin brushing teeth with pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste. Check your child’s toothbrush often and replace when it is worn. Bent or frayed bristles will not remove plaque effectively. Begin using floss when adjacent teeth are touching. Brush and floss your child’s teeth until he or she is at least six year old. By age six or seven, children should be able to brush their own teeth twice a day - with supervision until about age 10 or 11, to make sure they are doing a thorough job.     

Q. Who is a Pediatric Dentist?

A. Pediatric dentist are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two or three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children and adolescents only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescent, including those with special health needs.

Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?

A. Have your child rinse their mouth with warm salt water to clean it out. Gently brush and floss area to remove any food caught around the teeth that could be causing the pain. For pain give your child Tylenol or Ibuprofen (Mortin or Advil). For pain do not put aspirin on the tooth or gum tissues. To truly resolve the toothache problem, you need to take your child to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.

Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?

A. Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may such on thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects. It may make them feel safe and happy or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with tooth alignment and the proper growth of the mouth. The frequency, duration and intensity of a habit will determine whether or not dental problems may result. Children who rest their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have difficulty than those who vigorously suck their thumbs. Usually, children can stop between the ages of two and four. You child’s pediatric dentist can provide information regarding consequences of a habit as well as treatment to prevent possible dental or skeletal problems. 

Tips on helping a child get through thumb sucking: instead of scolding children for thumb sucking praise them when they are not. Children often suck their thumbs when feeling insecure. Focus on correction the cause of anxiety instead of thumb sucking. Children who are sucking for comfort will feel less of a need when their parents provide comfort. Reward children when they refrain from sucking during difficult periods, such as when being separated from their parents. Your pediatric dentist can encourage children to stop sucking and explain what could happen if they continue. If these approaches do not work, your pediatric dentist may recommend an oral appliance or other device to aid your child in correcting the habit.

Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?

A. If feeding a baby from a bottle, avoid liquids containing sugar such as sweetened water, fruit juices and soft drinks. It is important to limit the use of the bottle to feeding times only. When the bottle is used as a "pacifier" to quiet the baby or to help the baby sleep, the sugar in milk or other liquids bathes the teeth which increases the chance for decay. This type of decay is referred to as "Nursing Bottle Caries" or "Baby Bottle Caries". Prolonged breast feeding especially throughout the night, can cause decay similar to that caused in infants that sleep with a bottle containing milk or other sweetened liquids. The infant should be held while nursing and placed in the bed afterwards.

Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?

A. Regular dental visits for children are very important to developing good dental health habits and maintaining a healthy smile. Recare schedules may vary depending on you child’s dental cavity risk factors. As a general rule, children should be seen on a six month recare schedule to optimally maintain preventative dental care and reduce the need for dental treatment.

Q. How to contact Dr. Chambers if we have further questions?

A. Great Beginnings has two locations in Asheville you can call 828-274-9220 for information. In Waynesville you can call 828-452-9156 for information. You can also visit our website www.greatbeginningspedo.com for additional information or detailed direction to offices.