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What is a pediatric dentist?
At what age should a child see a dentist?
What can I do to help my child have healthy teeth?
Why are baby teeth important?
Do you allow parents back with their children?
Do you accept insurance?
What are dental sealants?
Emergencies
What is a pediatric dentist?
Pediatric dentists are dentists who specialize in caring for young children and are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and guidance to help children grow up cavity free with beautiful smiles. We are sort of like pediatricians for teeth! Our job certainly involves treating cavities but we also focus on prevention while monitoring their growing smiles. Our offices are tailored for children only. We also have special training in treating children with special medical or behavioral conditions.
For more information please visit the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry website (http://www.aapd.org/).
At what age should a child see a dentist?
The AAPD recommends a dental visit by age one. At Foothills Pediatric Dentistry, we encourage preventive visits; a child should have their first dental exam by two years of age. The earlier preventive measures are implemented, the more likely a child will remain cavity free during their lifetime. With proper fluoride exposure, good brushing, a balanced healthy diet, and regular check-ups—children have a great start for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums! If you want more information on taking care of your infants teeth please come by for a consultation or check out the following link to the AAPD website: http://www.aapd.org/pediatricinformation/faq.asp
What can I do to help my child have healthy teeth?
• Early and regular check-ups.
• Proper brushing (2-3 times a day) and flossing (once a day).
• Set a routine with a healthy diet and limit the frequency of sugary snacks.
• Proper fluoride exposure through water, toothpaste, and supplements.
• Have sealants applied when recommended.
Why are baby teeth important?
Primary teeth have been labeled baby teeth, however the front baby teeth remain in place until about age 6 to 8 years of age while the molar (or jaw) teeth remain until about 11 to 13 years of age. These teeth provide proper support for the growing jaws as well as function to help us eat, speak and, of course, share a smile with our friends and family. Proper care of these teeth not only keeps children from infections and pain but also sets up important habits so that when all of the permanent teeth do erupt, they can take care of them to prevent problems with their “big adult” teeth.
Do you allow parents back with their children?
We invite you to accompany your child during the initial visit. This is a great way for you to see our office and team in action. We want to build trust with your child through age appropriate terminology, friendliness, compassion, and consistency. After the initial visit and depending on the child's age and needs, we ask that the child come back by themselves. Similar to school settings, we feel most children focus better when only our team has their attention. We ask for your cooperation with our philosophy. However, we realize there are exceptions and we will work with those individually. We want you to be comfortable with our recommendations, and we will clarify any questions regarding your child's care.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We will typically ask you to pay for the initial visit and we will file your claim for reimbursement to you – this usually takes about two weeks. The insurance company reimburses the subscriber much quicker than the provider. After the initial visit and after verification of benefits, we will file your insurance claims and ask you pay only any fees not covered by your insurance. For more information please follow this link.
What are dental sealants?
These coatings fill up the grooves of our back teeth which are the easiest places to get decay. They are usually easy to apply and do not require numbing of the teeth. With regular maintenance, these coatings seal out cavities in our back teeth.
If you have questions about fillings, crowns, root canals, extractions or other treatments please visit our services page.
Emergencies
Toothache: Try to clean the area gently but thoroughly. Remove any impacted food with floss or a toothpick or toothbrush. If pain persists, please call our office for further guidance.
Dislodged Permanent Tooth: If a permanent tooth is knocked out, please try to find it, and handle it by the crown (not the long root portion) – if the tooth is clean and you can reinsert it in your child's mouth, please do so immediately; then have your child bite on a washcloth or small piece of gauze to hold the tooth in place. If you are unsure, place the tooth in a glass of milk and call our office immediately for further guidance. If for some reason you cannot reach us, take your child to the emergency room immediately. | 
