Dr. Joel Whitt 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. We suggest that children come to visit Dental Care For Kids six months after their first tooth erupts. This begins the relationship for the child and dentist and establishes a lifetime of responsible dental care.
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?
A. A finger brush (found at most stores) and non-fluoride toothpaste (until the child can spit).
Q. What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?
A. Pediatric Dentists go through extra schooling and training to learn how to work specifically with children and their dental needs. A huge difference between a family dentist and Dental Care For Kids is the atmosphere. Many children are nervous coming to the dentist. The relaxed yet professional environment at Dental Care For Kids allows children and parents alike to enjoy themselves. Our dentists and assistants only see children so they don’t have to switch their mind-set with every patient. We have a pirate theme that includes fish tanks and a pirate ship! Our themed rooms are equipped with the latest dental equipment and TVs in the ceiling! Our Treasure Tower is a hit as is our No Cavity Club wall. I have a car with a pirate parrot and treasure map on it! Again, it’s all about the atmosphere! Teamed with excellent dental care and a patient staff we make coming to the dentist a trip any little one would love!
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?
A. If your child has a toothache, they need to be seen by a dentist. We always do our best to accommodate emergencies and get patients in when they are in pain. 208-888-7711. Many times an over the counter pain reliever will help until your child can be seen, but tooth pain can be a sign of a bigger problem.
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?
A. Thumb sucking and pacifier habits can cause the upper pallet to disfigure and cause speech problems. If your child is still consistently sucking his/her thumb or using a pacifier around the ages of three to five you may want to talk to your dentist about it and the implication it is having on your child’s bite. We offer habit appliances to help with the breaking of these habits.
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?
A. The best way to prevent decay caused by nursing is to make sure you wipe the mouth after the child nurses. Just as with a bottle, nursing throughout the night allows more chance of decay because the mouth is generally not cleaned as it should be. The body naturally produces less saliva during the night, thus not washing away the milk.
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A. It is recommended that children see the dentist every six months for regular exams and cleanings.
Q. How to contact Dr. Whitt if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
3235 N. Towerbridge Way
Suite 200
Meridian, ID 83646
Phone: 208.888.7711
Fax: 208.888.3089
Email:christina@drbaby2th.com
Website: www.drbaby2th.com
