Pediatrics

FAQs

Pediatric dentistry is that branch of dentistry that specialized in the treatment of infants, children, and adolescents. Only about 3 out of every 100 dentists achieves this level of certification.

How is a pediatric dentist different from other dentists?
All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school, then continue their education with several years of additional, specialized training. During Dr. Waschak’s training in the field of pediatric dentistry, he gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, and adolescents. Dr. Waschak enjoys working with children, and brings to each patient interaction his expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you'll find that our staff, as well as our office design, decorations, and activities all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children.

When should I schedule my child's first visit to the dentist?
We recommend that you make an appointment to see Dr. Waschak as soon as your child gets his first tooth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP), recommends that a child is seen by 6 months after his/her first tooth erupts or by 1 year old, whichever is first.

What happens during my child's first visit to the dentist?
The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. Dr. Waschak will perform a complete, age-appropriate dental exam, checking your child's teeth for placement and health and will look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. We will perform a cleaning and discuss teething and dental development. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child's teeth as they develop, and provide you with materials containing helpful tips that you can refer to at home.

How can I prepare my child for his first dental appointment?
The best preparation for your child's first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults' apprehensions and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist, you can be sure that your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Show your child the pictures of our office staff on the website. Let your child know that it's important to keep his teeth and gums healthy, and that Dr. Waschak will help him do that. Remember that because Dr. Waschak is a pediatric dentist, he is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, and he and our staff excel at putting children at ease during treatment.

How often should my child visit the dentist?
We generally recommend scheduling check-ups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child's oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Baby teeth aren't permanent; why do they need special care?
Although they don't last as long as permanent teeth, your child's first teeth play an important role in his development. While they're in place, these primary teeth help your little one speak, smile and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early – due to damage or decay – nearby teeth may shift into that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your child's general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.

What's the best way to clean my baby's teeth?
Even before your baby's first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as his first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can most likely find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore.

At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child's teeth?
Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using fluoride toothpaste on the brush. Remember that too much fluoride can be dangerous for very young children. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause permanent teeth to stain. Therefore, use only a tiny amount (a small smear) for each cleaning. Have your child spit out toothpaste after brushing when able to do so – usually by age 3. You should brush your child's teeth for him until he is ready to take on that responsibility himself, which usually happens by age six or seven. Even after this, adult supervision is recommended.

What causes cavities?
Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugars in foods and drinks they produce acids that attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

How can I help my child avoid cavities?
Be sure that your child brushes his teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, as flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can't. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, limit snacking, and maintain a healthy diet. And finally, make regular appointments so that we can check the health of your child's teeth and provide professional cleanings.

Does my child need dental sealants?
Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach. Ask us to find out more about dental sealants.

My child plays sports; how can I protect his teeth?
Children's sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in them. If your little one plays football, baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect his teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.

What should I do if my child sucks his thumb?
The large majority of children suck their thumbs or fingers as infants, and most grow out of it by the age of four, without causing severe damage to their permanent teeth. We have great programs to help your child stop a finger habit in a positive way before the face and teeth are permanently altered. If your child continues sucking after permanent teeth erupt, or sucks aggressively, let us know and we can check to see if any problems may arise from the habit.
(SEE THUMB SUCKING LINK)

When should my child have dental x-rays taken?
We recommend taking x-rays around the age of two or three. The first set are simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth are touching each other, then regular (yearly) x-rays are recommended. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six. X -rays help us make sure your child's teeth and jaws are healthy and properly aligned. If your child is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having x-rays taken at an earlier age or more frequently.

Note: It is important to take x-rays much earlier than when permanent teeth are erupting since there is often interproximal decay on otherwise healthy looking mouths by age two or three.