FAQs

A pedodontist, also referred to as a “pediatric dentist,” is a dentist who has received advanced specialty training in meeting the dental needs of children from infancy to adolescence. Pedodontists extensively study child development and psychology, behavior management, caring for children with special needs, methods of handling oral/facial trauma, anesthesia and sedation methods, as well as develop a comprehensive understanding of facial growth and dental development. In addition to all of this, pedodontists acquire the hands-on clinical skills to successfully treat the dental needs of every child at every stage of development. Pedodontists truly enjoy working with children and strive to make each of their dental care experiences a positive one.

Even before your child is born, their first set of teeth is already forming. In fact, before they are a year old their new teeth will start to appear in their mouth. This is why maintaining their oral health becomes such an important consideration at such an early point in their lives. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentist, parents are advised to have their baby see the dentist around the time of their first birthday. At Elmhurst, we are happy to see your baby as early as 6 months of age. Seeing a dentist early in a child’s life can help maintain healthy dental hygiene and develop good oral habits, not to mention make future appointments easier and more enjoyable for your patient. It is also an excellent opportunity for the dentist to inform the parents about what to expect, how to take care of their baby’s dental needs, and what type of foods to avoid in order to prevent cavities. Get to know one of our dentists today!

Your baby’s first teeth typically start to appear between the age of 6 to 12 months. While this is an extraordinary milestone, you need to be aware that your baby may find the experience a little bit uncomfortable. Teething can make them feel irritable. They may be fussy, have trouble sleeping, not want to eat, and be drooling quite a bit. While you are powerless to speed up the process of teething, there are a few things that you can do to soothe your baby as their new teeth are erupting into place. Common approaches to helping your baby feel more comfortable while getting their new teeth include teething rings or a cold spoon or moist gauze rubbed over their gums. Even for these few new teeth, it is important to establish an oral healthcare regimen for your baby. For information on when your baby’s first set of teeth will erupt into place, consult this time line from the American Dental Association: http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/e/eruption-charts

Some children persist in sucking their thumbs or fingers beyond their preschool years. For these children the activity continues to be a source of comfort, relaxation, and security. It may even help them fall asleep at night. However, it is important as parents to be aware that if your child’s thumb or finger sucking habit is still present when their permanent teeth come in, there is a greater chance of developing a bad bite. This means that if the activity has not ceased by the age of five or six years, you need to constructively and gently help your child stop the habit. It is also a good idea to have a comprehensive evaluation at this time. Your pedodontist can assess if there are any habit related alterations to the alignment of your child’s teeth or jaws, or if it is affecting their speech or swallowing patterns. They can also discuss habit control strategies with you, as well as follow your child’s bite and facial development as they grow. If there are recommendations that interceptive appliances or corrective orthodontic care is required, the pedodontist will discuss these with you.

We know that coming to the dentist’s office can be scary for many children, even adults. The loud noises, the drilling sounds, strange tastes in your mouth - it can all be very unnerving. Managing a child’s behavior is an important part of every dental visit. Behavior management methods in the Pediatric Dentistry Clinic are directed toward the goals of communication, education, and the safe delivery of care. Four behavior management techniques are used with almost all children: Tell-Show-Do, Positive Reinforcement, Distraction, and Voice Control.

However, many children, especially young children, may require more than these techniques to be treated. Children with precooperative or disruptive behavior pose risks to themselves and our staff during dental treatment. There are several means available to us to assist your child and allow us to complete the dental treatment. While proven to be effective, please be aware that your insurance may NOT cover these additional procedures and you will have to pay out of pocket if you consent. If you prefer not to have these procedures performed, we are happy to refer you to an oral surgeon or hospital program for sedation evaluation.

Physical Restraint

Partial or complete immobilization of the patient sometimes is necessary to enable us to provide care to protect the patient and/or the dental staff from injury. Restraint may be performed by the dentist, staff member, or parent. Restraint may also involve the use of a restraining device, such as a Papoose Board ®, Pedi-Wrap ®, and/or a mouth prop.

Nitrous Oxide and Oxygen Inhalation Sedation

The use of nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”, and oxygen inhalation sedation is a very safe and effective technique for the management of children with mild to moderate anxiety. The inhalation sedation works by calming the patient down. Nitrous oxide is provided to the patient through a nasal mask, which helps deliver the nitrous oxide and oxygen gas to the body. Once the procedures are complete, the patient will feel back to normal almost right away. Side effects might include dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

It is important that any patient that requires Nitrous Oxide have a clear nasal passage so the patient can inhale the gas appropriately. So if your child is sick with a stuffy or runny nose or has allergies, we may have to reschedule your appointment. Also, we suggest that all patients not eat two hours prior to the procedure.