Pediatric Dental FAQs

Dealing with your child’s teeth can seem like a mystery. You have so many questions about what to do. Below, you will find common questions and answers. These frequently asked questions will help you provide your child with the best oral care possible.

FAQ About Pediatric Dental Care

What makes pediatric dentists different from other dentists?

Pediatric dentistry is a specialty. People who want to go into pediatric dentistry start by going through dental school. Then, pediatric dentists have to go through specialized training related to their specialty. Some general dentists, like Dr. Kassam, also receive additional extensive training to include high-quality dental care for children in a comprehensive general practice. Two Aces Dentistry is such a practice.

During the specialized training, dentists learn how to treat children of all ages. They learn about conditions and situations that affect children. For instance, dentists working with children are trained to deal with growing mouths and thumb-sucking behaviors.

Training is only part of it, though. A general dentist with a pediatric focus enjoys working with children and has a demeanor that kids love. These dentists know how to put kids at ease and make them enjoy going to the dentist.

At Two Aces Dentistry, we have taken it a step further by designing our office with kids in mind. From our decorations to our activities, kids feel welcome as soon as they walk through the door.

The countdown begins as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, your child needs to visit the dentist 6 months after getting his or her first tooth or when he or she turns 1. Choose whichever one happens first.

Contact us if your child is ready for a dental visit.

You might feel some anxiety when you bring your child to the dentist for the first time, but that isn’t necessary. Your child’s first visit will be short and easy. During this visit, a dentist will get to know you and your child to make sure that everyone is comfortable. Your dentist will also provide you with some important information that will help you with your child’s oral care.

Finally, the dentist will give your child a short exam and will do some cleaning, if necessary. Our dentist will check for problems in the gums and jaw, as well.

Positivity is the key to preparing your child for his or her first appointment. Show a positive attitude and let your child know that you’re looking forward to the appointment. Explain why dental appointments are important, and talk about how much you enjoy going to the dentist. If your child sees that you’re excited about the experience, he or she will be excited, as well. On the other hand, if you have a poor attitude about the dentist, your child will pick up on it and mimic it. Remember, our dentists are trained to handle dental anxiety and can easily put your child at ease. Your child will have a great experience at Two Aces Dentistry, so keep his or her spirits up.

As a general rule, children should visit the dentist every 6 months. Some children need to be seen more often due to conditions or circumstances. After we examine your child, we will let you know if we need to see him or her more than twice a year.

Baby teeth do fall out, but they impact your child’s growth and development. First, baby teeth help your baby speak and smile, and even help your child chew property. On top of that, they act as placeholders for the permanent teeth. If baby teeth fall out early, the other teeth might move to fill up the empty space. That can cause permeant teeth to come in crooked.

Dental health also impacts your child’s overall health. Unhealthy teeth and gums can affect your child’s health. We can help you keep your child healthy with regular dental appointments.

Clean gums and teeth are an important part of oral care, so you should clean your child’s gums as soon as you bring him or her home from the hospital. Use a soft and damp washcloth to gently wipe milk or formula off your child’s gums after every meal. Once he or she gets a tooth, you’ll be ready to use a toothbrush, but you won’t need to use toothpaste. Most drug stores carry toothbrushes designed for children. Choose one that has a small head and soft bristles. You can select one with a handle or one that slips over your finger.

After your child gets a few teeth, you’ll be ready to use toothpaste on his or her teeth. Choose toothpaste without fluoride for the first two years of your child’s life.

Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and gently brush your child’s teeth. Then, teach your child how to spit out the toothpaste. It is important that children learn how to spit toothpaste out early so they don’t swallow it when they start using fluoride toothpaste.

When your child turns 6 or 7, he or she will finally be ready to take over the brushing duties. Be sure you teach proper brushing habits so your child cleans his or her teeth the right way.

All mouths contain bacteria. Under normal circumstances, the bacteria are harmless. However, when you eat sugary foods and don’t brush right away, the bacteria produce acids that eat through the enamel on the teeth and create holes. Those holes are cavities.

Proper brushing is the best way to avoid cavities. Your child needs to brush his or her teeth after every meal and after consuming sugary beverages. If your child is younger than 2, he or she needs to use toothpaste without fluoride. Children over the age of 2 should use fluoride toothpaste.

Some teeth are full of pits and fissures that are hard to reach with a toothbrush. Dental sealants cover those pits and fissures, protecting the teeth from cavities and decay. In many cases, children need dental sealants in their molars, since molars are hard to reach when brushing.

Most sports involve some sort of contact, even children’s sports. If our child plays a contact sport, we recommend that he or she use a mouthguard for protection. Two Aces Dentistry creates custom-fitted mouthguards that protect the gums, lips, cheeks, and teeth.

In most cases, thumb-sucking is a normal behavior that shouldn’t be a cause for concern. Aggressive thumb-sucking behavior or continuing to suck the thumb after the permanent teeth come in can be problematic, though. If your child exhibits a worrisome thumb-sucking behavior, contact us for an evaluation.

Your child should get his or her first set of dental X-rays between the ages of 2 and 3. Our team will take pictures of your child’s front and lower teeth. This is a simple process and makes your child comfortable with getting X-rays.

Your child will need to get yearly X-rays after the baby’s teeth start touching. We will continue to take X-rays when the permanent teeth come in, which is around 6 years of age. These X-rays will help us determine if the teeth and jaw are properly aligned and healthy.

Insurance

Flexible Insurance Options for Your Care

We accept a variety of dental insurance plans to help make high-quality dental care more accessible. While we may not be in-network with all carriers, this allows us to prioritize your oral health without the limitations set by insurance companies. Learn more about how we can help you maximize your benefits here.

Locations

Conveniently Located Near You

We’re here to help you reach your goal of a healthy, beautiful smile. With our multiple dental clinic locations, we serve patients from Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia.

NE – Washington, DC

Two Aces Dentistry isn’t your typical dental practice. We are a one-stop-shop for all of your dental needs.
Opening Hours
  • Mon
    9:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Tue
    8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Wed
    8:00 am – 7:00 pm
  • Thu
    8:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Fri
    8:00 am – 1:00 pmOpen
  • Sat - Sun
    Closed

NW – Washington, DC

Welcome To Two Aces Dentistry a cozy dental office right in the heart of Tenleytown DC.
Opening Hours
  • Mon
    Closed
  • Tue
    10:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Wed
    Closed
  • Thu
    10:00 am – 5:00 pm
  • Fri - Sun
    Closed
Reviews

Dental Reviews From our Smiling Patients

We’ve helped hundreds of people ace their smile goals with our personalized dental care. Hear from our patients to learn about the dental experience and results we provide.

Skip to content