Dentistry is the known evaluation, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders and conditions of the soft and hard tissues of the jaw (mandible), the oral cavity, maxillofacial area and the adjacent.
An Interview with Dr. Frank Hodges on Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Frank Hodges 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. The academy of Pediatrics and the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggest the first visit at age 1 to 2. Personally I tell parents to come for sure by the age of 3. If they see any discoloring on the front or back teeth, please come sooner.
Q. What should be used to clean a baby’s teeth?
A. Parents should begin brushing their infants gums before the teeth erupt. Then as the teeth erupt, continue brushing in the morning and night with a small soft toothbrush.
Q. What is a Pediatric Dentist?
A. A pediatric dentist is a dentist that has returned to graduate school for two additional years after dental school for specialized training in child development, medical and dental problems that are particular to children and special treatment methods for nervous children.
Q. What should a parent do if their child has a toothache?
A Give the child motrin, brush the area, withhold from giving sweats and call a dentist.
Q. Are thumb sucking and pacifier habits harmful for a child’s teeth?
A. Yes, these harmful habits can cause over bites and cross bites, yet some children have no effects.
Q. How can a mom prevent decay caused by nursing?
A. Brush, brush, brush and floss, floss, floss both front and backs of teeth after each nursing. Stop nursing by age 12 months. Don’t nurse the child in bed to sleep and have the child checked by a Pediatric dentist by age 1.
Q. How often does a child need to see the pediatric dentist?
A. If the 1st check up is good, then a follow-up would be every 6 to 12 months.
Q. How to contact Dr. Hodges if we have further questions?
A.
Address:
1111 Sonoma Avenue, Suite 102, Santa Rosa, California 95405
Phone: (707) 544-4611 or (800) 222-4611
Fax: (707) 544-6835
Email: frankhodgesdds@comcast.net , info@frankhodgesdds.com
Website: http://www.frankhodgesdds.com
