FAQ

At what age should my child first see the dentist?

Generally, we like to see children around their first birthday or soon after their first teeth appear. These are simple exams that are designed to get your child used to the concept of dental visits and to make sure that their oral development is off to a good start.

How should I clean baby teeth?

A soft bristled, small headed toothbrush should be used at least once per day before bedtime. It is recommended that you use a fluoride free toothpaste in children under 3 years old. Teeth that are touching should be flossed by an adult daily.

Is thumb sucking or the use of a pacifier harmful to my child ’s teeth?

Generally, children will outgrow these habits before they become harmful. Any dental movement caused by these habits usually self corrects once the child discontinues the habit. Please mention these habits during your child's regular exams so we can properly monitor your child's growth.

What is “ baby bottle tooth decay ” ?

It is often tempting to nurse an infant to sleep or let the child take a bottle to bed. These habits can lead to massive tooth decay as the sugars in the milk, formula, or juice are left on the teeth during the night. We recommend brushing your child’s teeth before bedtime and providing only water at night. This condition is also know as Early Childhood Caries.

When will my baby start getting teeth?

Usually the two lower front teeth (central incisors) erupt at about six months of age, followed shortly by the two upper central incisors. During the next 18 to 24 months, the rest of the baby teeth appear, although not in orderly sequence from front to back. All 20 baby or "primary" teeth should be present at three years of age.

What’s up with all of the PLAID in here?

Dr Jennings’ favorite color is plaid so the waiting room is a vibrant plaid of the KID-1 colors. The play castle is also named Castle Plaid-A-Lot. We encourage patients and parents to wear plaid to their appointment.

How often does my child need to see the dentist?

In general children and teenagers benefit from a visit to our office every six months in order to prevent cavities and other dental problems. Specific recommendations may be made for your child depending on decay pattern, age, and adjunct treatment needs. Sometimes we can arrest or stop a cavity early, thereby preventing the need to place a filling.

Why do my child’s permanent teeth look more yellow than the baby teeth?

Permanent teeth are normally more yellow than primary teeth. This becomes very apparent when the child is between the ages of seven and ten, where the adult teeth are next to the very white baby teeth. Once the child has lost several more baby teeth, most children appear to have very white smiles.

Should we bother to restore or replace fillings on baby teeth? Won’t they eventually fall out anyway?

Unless a baby tooth will fall out in the next several months, it is generally unwise to leave a decay on baby teeth. Decay can easily move to other baby teeth or even to permanent teeth. It can also cause pain, and possibly lead to facial infections, and expensive orthodontic problems that could have been avoided. We recommend carefully restoring all decayed teeth to optimal health. We can determine if the tooth will fall out soon by taking an X-Ray to verify the permanent teeth expected time of eruption. This can be as late as 12 years old for some baby teeth.

What causes cavities and decay?

Decay is caused by plaque - a thin, sticky, colorless deposit of bacteria that constantly forms on everyone's teeth. When sugar is eaten, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack the tooth enamel. After repeated acid attacks, the enamel breaks down and a cavity or hole is formed in the tooth. The process happens especially quickly with sugar in liquid form. The most common culprits in our office are 100% fruit juice, sports drinks, and chocolate milk. Regular milk, water, or Crystal Light are all great alternatives that kids love and will not cause cavities.

What is the difference between a pediatric dentist and a family dentist?

Pediatric dentists are the pediatricians of dentistry. A pediatric dentist has two to three years specialty training following dental school and limits his/her practice to treating children only. Pediatric dentists are primary and specialty oral care providers for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health needs.

Is he really on roller blades?

Dr. Jennings loves to roller blade and many years ago started skating at work. It was a hit with the kids, so he has been doing it ever since. It often surprises the kids and puts them at ease giving them something to talk about. The doctor is always fully seated during all procedures and can safely operate all of the equipment.

How can I prevent decay caused by nursing?

Avoid nursing children to sleep or putting anything other than water in their bed-time bottle. Also, learn the proper way to brush and floss your child's teeth. Take your child to a pediatric dentist regularly to have his/her teeth and gums checked. The first dental visit should be scheduled by your child's first birthday.

How do dental sealants work?

Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surfaces of the teeth. This shuts out food particles that could get caught in the teeth, causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable and can effectively protect teeth for many years. What if I need to speak to someone after hours? If your child has a dental emergency after regular office hours, and you need to talk to someone please call our office. Our voicemail will instruct you on how to call our emergency only after-hours phone.