FAQ
My child’s teeth still has ‘baby teeth.’ Is it really necessary for us to visit a dentist?
Yes. The primary teeth are not only important for communication and digestion, but they also directly impact the future health of your child’s permanent teeth. Bring your child to a Aliso Viejo pediatric dentist no later than his or her first birthday.
What should I expect at my child’s first Aliso Viejo dental visit?
Your child’s first dental appointment is the time when you will get to know your Aliso Viejo dentist and complete forms about your child’s health and oral care routine at home. The dentist will check your child’s teeth and gums, and provide a topical fluoride treatment if necessary. You may receive some in-office or printed educational materials about good oral hygiene practices that will help you protect your child from developing tooth decay and gum disease. Before you leave, your dentist may also discuss pediatric topics with you, such as teething, thumb-sucking, or bottle usage. This is also your opportunity to ask any questions you may have about developmental milestones.
Will I need to follow-up with my child’s dentist in the future?
Yes. You should return to the dentist for additional pediatric dental check-ups and cleanings at least once every 6 months. Also, do not hesitate to contact your child’s dentist if you notice signs of decay, oral pain or developmental delays.
Does my child need fluoride treatments?
Fluoride treatments can provide oral support and prevent decay if you wear orthodontic braces or are taking medications that cause dry mouth.
What should my child expect during fluoride treatments?
Fluoride treatments are painless and can be administered in your Aliso Viejo dentist’s office at your twice-yearly check-ups and cleanings. Your dentist will distribute fluoridated gel, foam or varnish into a tray and place it over your teeth. The treatment takes only a few minutes and are only required between one and four times per year.
Is there anything I can do to supplement my child’s fluoride treatments?
Yes. The ADA recommends supplementing your fluoridated drinking water or Aliso Viejo fluoride treatments with a fluoridated toothpaste.
Should I ask my child’s Aliso Viejo pediatric dentist to administer nitrous gas during our next visit?
If your child has a fear of the dentist, is very young, or has extensive dental treatment needs, nitrous analgesia may be a topic that you should explore with his or her dentist.
What should I expect when my child is sedated with nitrous?
Your child will be asked to breathe in a mixture of nitrous gas and oxygen from a mask at the beginning of his or her appointment. The amount of gas administered will be monitored and adjusted throughout treatment to help him or her relax while staying completely alert and responsive. Nitrous often makes children feel warm, lightheaded, or even ‘giggly.’ It also has mild pain-relieving properties. At the end of the Aliso Viejo laughing gas treatment, oxygen is administered to help alleviate the effects of the gas in your child’s system and return him or her to a natural state of awareness.
Will I need to follow any special instructions when caring for my child following sedation?
No. Nitrous oxide will naturally leave your child’s body within five minutes of stopping the flow of gasand and inhaling oxygen.
Should I have my child examined for baby bottle tooth decay?
Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend a first dental exam within 6 months of your child’s first tooth erupting and every 6 months after that. However, if your child is exhibiting signs of decay between visits, bring him or her to a Aliso Viejo pediatric dentist for an exam immediately.
What should I expect during my child’s Aliso Viejo pediatric dental exam?
Children’s dental exams in Aliso Viejo are much like those of adults. A dentist will examine the teeth and a hygienist will clean them. You may also elect to have fluoride treatments to prevent decay. If your child’s dentist identifies decay, it will need to be treated to prevent pain and infection. If decay is severe, your child’s infected teeth may need to be extracted.
Are there any special instructions I need to follow for preventing baby bottle tooth decay?
Children’s teeth may be temporary during early childhood, but they still depend on their oral health to develop communication skills and chew food. You can prevent baby bottle tooth decay by adopting healthy habits when at the first sign of your child’s first tooth:
- Avoid putting your child to bed or consoling him or her with a bottle
- Avoid giving your child sugar-filled beverages from a bottle
- Make a habit of brushing your child’s teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush daily
- Begin using child-safe toothpaste at age 2
- Never share saliva with your baby, as it introduces cavity-causing bacteria to the mouth
- Avoid using a bottle after your child’s first birthday
Should I talk with my dentist about the questions I have regarding my post-operative care?
Yes. Your post-operative care is contingent on you understanding everything about the recovery process and your responsibilities in caring for your surgical site.
What should I expect when I speak with my dentist?
Your Aliso Viejo dentist should allocate enough time in your consultation and pre-operative exam to listen to your concerns and answer any questions you may have. You should also be provided a phone number that you can call following your procedure to discuss any questions that may come up at that time.
Is there anything I can do to make the process easier?
Yes. Begin thinking of any questions you may have about your post-operative care, and begin writing them down. You’ll be ready to ask all of your questions when the opportunity arises without missing any important details.
Should I have my child’s primary teeth examined by a Aliso Viejo pediatric dentist?
Yes. If your child has even one tooth, the American Dental Association recommends scheduling his or her first pediatric dental appointment.
What should I expect during my child’s dental exam?
You can expect your child’s Aliso Viejo pediatric dentist to examine and clean the teeth, as well as treat them with topical fluoride. If your child’s teeth show signs of decay, they may need to be treated or removed. If permanent molars have begun to appear, your child’s dentist may suggest implementing dental sealants to prevent future decay.
Will I need to follow any special instructions following my child’s exam?
Yes. It is important that you follow good oral care guidelines at home in order to protect primary teeth and provide a healthy foundation for permanent teeth in the future. Supervise your child’s daily brushing habits, and do not allow your child to consume sweet beverages without immediately brushing his or her teeth afterward.
My child’s infected tooth is a baby tooth that’s going to fall out anyway. Does it really require Aliso Viejo pulp therapy?
Yes. Primary teeth serve as important space savers for adult teeth, not to mention children need them for chewing and speaking articulately. Furthermore, an untreated tooth infection can become painful, spread to other areas of the body, and become severe over time.
What should I expect during my child’s Aliso Viejo pulp therapy treatment?
Your child may be sedated before being given a local anesthetic to numb the tooth, nerves, and gums surrounding the treatment site. Your child’s dentist will then open the top of the tooth to reveal the pulp chamber and its inner canals. Depending on whether your child is undergoing a pulpotomy or a pulpectomy, either the entire pulp tissue or just the part inside the crown will be removed and then filled with a biocompatible material. The tooth will be capped, and your child will be allowed to return home immediately following the procedure.
Will I need to follow any special post-operative instructions following my child’s procedure?
You will be given instructions for care before you leave your child’s Aliso Viejo dentist office. Expect your child’s tooth to be sore for a couple of days following the procedure. During this time, you may want to prepare a diet of soft foods that require minimal chewing. If pain persists beyond a few days, contact your child’s dentist.
How do I know if Aliso Viejo dental sealants are right for my child?
Sealants may be right for your child if he or she has molar teeth that are healthy and free of decay. Schedule a dental consultation for a complete examination to determine if dental sealants could be a preventative health solution for your children.
What should I expect when my child gets dental sealants?
Your child will not experience any pain when sealants are placed. There is no drilling, and the entire tooth is left intact for the procedure. The tooth will be thoroughly cleaned and treated with a special gel before the sealant is painted on and cured. Although your child may at first feel the sealants on his or her teeth, the sealants are very thin and easy to adapt to.
Are there any special care instructions to follow after the sealants are placed?
Normal eating habits can be resumed after dental sealants are applied, although the sealants should be checked at every dental appointment for deterioration. Sealants that are damaged or missing can be replaced.
Does my child need oral sedation?
Oral sedation is recommended for children with high levels of dental anxiety or who are undergoing extensive oral treatment. The only way to know if oral sedation is right for your child is by speaking with his or her Aliso Viejo dentist at your next dental appointment.
What should I expect if my child is going to be sedated?
You can expect your child’s Aliso Viejo dentist to provide you with a list of instructions prior to your child’s dental visit. This may include a list of dietary restrictions in the hours leading up to the procedure. The sedative will not be administered until your child’s dentist has first connected your child to a vital signs monitor. Your child will begin to relax once the medication is administered and may remain sedated long after the procedure is complete. Before you leave, your child will remain in the dental office temporarily for observation.
Will I need to follow any post-treatment care instructions?
Your child may be very sleepy after being sedated and will probably have to be carried after the procedure. You will be instructed to supervise your child closely for the remainder of the day and prevent him or her from eating until numbness has worn off from the local anesthetic.
Does my child need a space maintainer?
Your child may need a space maintainer if he or she is missing a primary or permanent tooth. The jaw grows continuously throughout childhood and into adolescence, and a missing tooth –whether primary or permanent – can disrupt tooth alignment and cause complications later in life. A space maintainer helps maintain the space that the missing tooth would have until it can be replace with a permanent restoration in adulthood.
What should I expect during my child’s space maintainer appointment?
Fitting your child for a space maintainer may require multiple Aliso Viejo dental office visits. At the first visit, your child will be fitted for a band that fits securely around the abutment tooth. And impression will then be made of your child’s tooth with the band on. That impression will be used to create a loop that will serve as the space maintainer where the missing tooth is located. The loop will be soldered to the band, and your child will return to have it cemented in place.
Will I need to follow any special care instructions after my child gets space maintainers?
Your child’s space maintainer may take some time to adjust to. Remind your child to keep the gums surrounding the spacer healthy by gently brushing them daily. You’ll also need to avoid giving your child hard and sticky foods that could dislodge the spacer and present a health risk if accidently inhaled or swallowed.
You will return to your child’s Aliso Viejo dentist periodically for x-rays and to monitor the progress of the underlying permanent teeth. Your child’s space maintainer will be removed before the permanent tooth erupts. If the maintainer is being used in place of a permanent tooth, it will remain there until jaw growth reaches maturity (usually between ages 16 and 18) when a permanent restoration can replace it.
Does my child need a custom sports mouth guard?
Your child needs a custom Aliso Viejo sports mouth guard if he or she participates in any type of activity – whether sports or recreationally related. From martial arts and basketball to hockey and biking, a sports mouth guard could save your child’s teeth from serious trauma or even total loss.
How will my child be fit for a mouth guard?
An impression will be taken of your child’s teeth, which will be used to produce a custom Aliso Viejo mouth guard. The guard will be made of superior quality materials that are designed to last long-term. In fact, your child will probably outgrow his or her guard before it needs to be replaced.
How should we care for the mouth guard at home?
You will need to clean your mouth guard between uses with cold water only. Use a softened toothbrush if necessary, and dry it before storing it safely in protective case. As your child grows, the mouth guard will need to be replaced to accommodate for a better fit.
Should I let my child pierce his or her tongue?
The American Dental Association opposes intraoral piercings, and this is especially true for children under age 18. But if a piercing is inevitable, ensure that the procedure is performed in a sterile environment by a trained professional. Never allow your child to pierce his or her own tongue, or to allow a frie
Should I take my child to a Aliso Viejo dentist?
Yes. Although primary teeth eventually fall out, they serve several important purposes and should be preserved with a healthy oral care routine. This includes a dental check-up and cleaning every six months beginning when the firAm I a candidate for tooth-colored fi
Are there any other habits I should be adopting to improve my oral health?
Yes. You should be flossing daily and brushing twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush. You should also be visiting your Aliso Viejo dentist at least twice per year for oral exams and professional dental cleanings.
Which toothbrush should I be using?
You can effectively brush your teeth with either a manual toothbrush or an electric one. However, the rapid movements of motorized versions may be more effective at removing plaque from the teeth and gum line. If you have questions about which toothbrush is best for you, speak with your Aliso Viejo dentist about it at your next visit. He or she may recommend an electric brush with an oscillating head or a brush that includes a timer to let you know how long to brush.
What types of results should I be getting from by toothbrush?
Regardless of whether you choose an electric brush or a manual brush, it should be easy for you to maneuver in your mouth and behind your back teeth. If the head is too big, it may not be effectively removing plaque from your teeth.
My electric toothbrush was expensive. Do I need to change it as often as a manual brush?
Yes. Your toothbrush should be replaced at least once every three to four months or whenever you notice fraying. However, most electric toothbrushes come with interchangeable heads. In other words, you won’t need to replace the entire device – only the brush itself.
Should I have my child’s teeth examined as they erupt from the gums?
You should bring your child to the dentist when his or her first tooth erupts. After that, visit a Aliso Viejo dentist every six months for cleanings and check-ups, or more frequently if complications arise. When your child is old enough to get permanent molars, you may benefit from visiting the dentist soon after they erupt to have protective sealants placed on those teeth.
What should I expect when I take my child to a Aliso Viejo dentist?
Dental appointments for children usually consist of an examination, cleaning, and fluoride treatment. Your dentist may recommend that you make changes to your home care habits or recommend treatment for any complications found during your child’s visit.
Should I be following any special care instructions between Aliso Viejo pediatric dental visits?
Yes. Before your child’s teeth erupt, gently cleanse the gums daily using a clean, moist cloth. You may begin brushing using a soft-bristled toothbrush as soon as the first tooth emerges, and your child may use a small amount of child-safe toothpaste beginning at age 2. As your child’s teeth continue to emerge and fill in gaps, teach your child the importance of flossing and the proper way of doing it. Finally, avoid allowing your child to consume excessive amounts of sugary beverages and foods, as these can lead to tooth decay.
