Pediatric Dental FAQs in Parker, CO

Many children are seen approximately every six months for preventive examinations and dental care. However, the appropriate schedule depends on your child's cavity risk, gum health, dental development, previous dental problems and individual needs. Some children may benefit from more frequent visits.

Learn about preventive dental care

Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush with a head that is appropriately sized for your child's mouth. Children should brush twice each day with fluoride toothpaste.

For children younger than 3, use no more than a smear or rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. For children ages 3 through 6, use approximately a pea-sized amount. Young children should have an adult help with or supervise brushing until they can consistently clean all of their teeth effectively.

Oral hygiene tips for kids

Cleaning between the teeth becomes important when neighboring tooth surfaces touch or when a toothbrush cannot adequately clean the space between them. Parents usually need to perform or assist with flossing for younger children until they develop enough coordination to do a thorough job independently.

Traditional dental floss, floss holders or other age-appropriate interdental cleaning methods may be used depending on your child's needs.

Fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children because fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay. The important part for young children is using the appropriate amount and supervising brushing so excess toothpaste is not swallowed.

Professional fluoride treatment may also be recommended based on your child's individual cavity risk and fluoride exposure.

Learn about preventing tooth decay

Baby teeth are important while they are present. They help children chew comfortably, participate in speech development and maintain space as the permanent teeth develop and begin to erupt.

Untreated cavities or infections in primary teeth can also cause pain and other dental problems, so baby teeth should be cared for until they are naturally ready to be replaced.

Learn about dental care for babies

Dental X-rays use a small amount of radiation and can provide information that cannot always be seen during a visual dental examination. The dentist should recommend X-rays only when they are clinically appropriate.

The type and timing of dental X-rays depend on factors such as your child's age, stage of dental development, symptoms, cavity risk, previous dental history and findings during the examination. A child does not automatically need the same X-rays at every visit.

Not necessarily. Very early areas of tooth decay that have not developed into a physical cavity may sometimes be managed with fluoride, improved home care, dietary changes, monitoring or another preventive approach.

Once tooth structure has broken down, a filling, crown or another treatment may be appropriate depending on the tooth, extent of decay, symptoms and your child's individual dental needs.

Learn about cavity treatment for kids

Dental sealants may be recommended for cavity-prone pits and grooves in certain back teeth. The thin protective material covers these areas and can make them less vulnerable to tooth decay.

Whether sealants are appropriate depends on the tooth anatomy, eruption stage and your child's cavity risk. They are commonly considered for permanent molars but may also be useful for selected primary teeth.

Learn more about dental sealants

If a permanent tooth is completely knocked out, handle it by the crown rather than the root and contact a dental professional immediately. If possible, the tooth may be gently repositioned into the socket. If that cannot be done, keeping the tooth moist, such as in milk, while seeking urgent dental care can help preserve it.

A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back into the socket because doing so could damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.

Pediatric dental emergencies

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. At this age, children generally have a mixture of baby teeth and permanent teeth, allowing developing bite, spacing and eruption concerns to be evaluated.

An orthodontic evaluation at age 7 does not mean your child will need braces at that age. Many children simply benefit from growth monitoring until the appropriate time for treatment.

Learn about orthodontic growth monitoring

It is normal for some children to feel uncertain about an unfamiliar dental environment. Pediatric dental teams use age-appropriate explanations and behavior-guidance techniques to help children understand what is happening and gradually become more comfortable with care.

If your child has significant dental anxiety, difficulty tolerating treatment or more extensive dental needs, additional options such as nitrous oxide or other forms of sedation may sometimes be considered based on the child's health and treatment needs.

Learn about pediatric sedation dentistry

Dental amalgam, sometimes called a silver filling, contains a mixture of metals that includes mercury. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend removing an existing amalgam filling that is in good condition simply to prevent a possible health problem.

However, the FDA recommends avoiding placement of new dental amalgam when possible and appropriate in certain higher-risk groups, including children, particularly those younger than 6. Parents can discuss available restorative materials with their child's dentist and determine which option is appropriate for the individual tooth and child.

Little Rockies Kids Dental participates with a number of dental insurance companies and networks. Participation can vary by individual plan or employer group, so being listed with an insurance company does not necessarily mean every policy offered by that carrier is considered in-network.

Contact our office with your current insurance information if you would like help determining whether we participate with your particular plan.

View participating dental insurance plans