FAQ

It is important to be informed about your child’s oral health. When your child visits with Dr. White or Dr. Lance, we will discuss any concerns and answer any questions to the best of our ability. If you have further questions after your appointment, we invite you to read through our list of common questions about pediatric dentistry in Heber City, Utah. You are also welcome to contact us to ask your questions and schedule your child’s appointment with our pediatric dentists.

When should I start bringing my child to the dentist?

In general, most dental professionals recommend that your child visits the dentist by their first birthday. In these visits, our pediatric dentists will evaluate and monitor your child’s tooth and oral growth; they will also inform you and your child how to properly care for their teeth at home. Having healthy baby teeth will help your child develop correct eating and chewing function, placement of their permanent teeth, and speech development.

Do I need to be concerned for my child’s baby teeth if they’re just going to fall out?

In short, yes. Although baby teeth do fall out eventually, they play a major role in helping your child have good oral health now and in the future. Baby teeth can:

• Help your child feel good about themselves
• Promote proper eating and chewing functions
• Assist in proper speech development
• Provide health facial muscle and jaw growth
• Direct permanent teeth to erupt in the proper places

Baby teeth are more vulnerable than permanent teeth, so it is important to take care of them. Any damage or decay to baby teeth can lead to altered eating or speech habits, tooth loss, infection, and possibly emergency treatments. Help your child avoid tooth damage and future problems by helping them care for their teeth at home and by taking them to the dentist regularly.

What causes cavities?

Foods that are high in sugars or acids are favorites for the bacteria inside your mouth. If you do not brush or floss your teeth properly or regularly, these foods will remain in your mouth and allow harmful bacteria to feed and grow to harmful amounts. The bacteria will then begin to eat away at your tooth’s enamel and cause tooth decay. These cavities can often lead to exposed tooth roots, which can be extremely painful. The only way to stop the decay from continuing is to receive professional treatment from your dentist.

What can I do to prevent cavities besides brushing and flossing?

You can do a lot to help protect your teeth from decay or damage. The first thing you can do is brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. In addition to that, you can:

• Avoid eating starches as a snack. Saliva flow increases during mealtime, so it is better to each starches then.
• Do not share cups, utensils, and other objects with your children, as you can pass along harmful germs.
• Do not put your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice, soda, or formula. Having these sugary drinks in contact with their teeth for long periods of time can lead to quick tooth decay. Also, give your child water instead of juice between meals.
• Take your child to the dentist when their first tooth comes in or by the time they turn 1.
• Is it okay for children to have their teeth whitened?

Yes. However, most dentists recommend not whitening your child’s teeth until they have received all their permanent teeth, typically around age 12. Whitening teeth before this can cause incoming permanent teeth to be a different color than their baby teeth. The easiest way to whiten a child’s smile is with OTC strips, which may take a few weeks to show results. Children can, however, also be treated with overnight trays and in-office treatments, but these often tend to be more expensive and are often not covered by insurance. No matter their treatment type, encourage your child to brush with desensitizing toothpaste for a couple of weeks after their treatment; this will help eliminate any sensitive side effects that are often a part of teeth whitening.

Do you accept my insurance?

It is likely that we do. We are pleased to accept more insurances, including CHIP and Medicaid. We invite you to contact our office before visiting our office to ensure that we do, in fact, accept your insurance.