Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Age 1-19
• MO HealthNet (Medicaid) as only form of dental insurance
• Reside in 1 of these counties: Christian, Barry, Dade, Lawrence, Taney, Stone

Both your pediatric specialist and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) state that your child's dental visit should be at one year of age or at least six months after the first tooth comes in.

There are many reasons to start dental care early on, such as:

• It allows your pediatric dentist to begin monitoring your son or daughter's oral health and development so they can detect any concerns at an early stage.
• It helps your child acclimate to visiting the dentist and to understand that it's a safe and welcoming place.
• This is an excellent time to ask questions about your son or daughter's oral development so you can make the most of your routine at home.

You can prepare your child for their dental visits by talking about it beforehand in a positive way. Reading books or stories about visiting the dentist can also help prepare them for what will happen during their appointment. You might also consider bringing your child along with you to your cleaning and checkup so they can see what visiting the dentist is like.

We are happy to help! Contact our office for more information on preparing your children for their first dental visit.

Many people feel fearful about visiting the dentist, and your child is not alone. Many adults who suffer from dental anxiety report that it's from a bad experience they had at the dentist as a child.

There are a few things you can do to help prepare your child for their dental visits:

• Talk about the dentist in a positive way. Even if you have dental anxiety, be careful not to project your fear onto your child.
• Read stories or color pictures about the dentist, and even role-play visiting the dentist with their stuffed animals or toys.
• Consider bringing your son or daughter with you to the dentist when you have your next appointment. This allows them to see what it's like at the dental office.

You can also speak with your pediatric dentist about solutions they offer for relieving dental anxiety at their practice. There are options for sedation dentistry, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), that can help your child feel at ease during most types of procedures.

Be sure to discuss your concerns with your pediatric dentist before your child arrives for their appointment so you can have an effective plan in place to create a positive experience.

We recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice daily using good technique. Our skilled dental hygienists will be happy to review your technique with you and give you pointers to help you improve to get the most out of your home-care routine.

For most patients, we recommend twice-yearly visits for cleanings and examinations. If you are currently being treated for a particular concern, we may recommend that you visit us more often. 

As your pediatric specialist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many choices you make each day affect your son or daughter's oral health, such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.

Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.

Many people are more health conscious than ever and realize the value of maintaining good health instead of just waiting to treat problems as they arise. General dentistry provides most of the services that patients of all ages require to keep their teeth and gums free from disease.

For optimum oral health, we recommend the following steps:

Brush Your Teeth at Least Twice Daily

Using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, brush your teeth for two full minutes using a small circular motion with the bristles gently angled toward your gumline. Using excessive force to brush will not clean your teeth more effectively and may damage delicate gum tissue.

Floss at Least Once Daily

Using two to three feet of floss, floss up and down each side of your teeth. Do not force the floss any further than it will comfortably go. Think of your floss as a squeegee that removes plaque. Don’t miss flossing behind your back teeth.

Dental Exams, Cleanings, and X-Rays

Every patient is different. Follow your dentist’s recommended recall schedule to maintain healthy teeth and gums. For most patients, this will require a visit every six months. However, for patients who suffer from gum disease, have some catching up to do, or who have reduced dexterity that makes home care difficult, we may recommend more frequent visits to maintain your oral health.

Yes. Today's digital x-rays are far safer than traditional radiographs. They emit less radiation, equivalent to taking a short walk in the sun. They also produce crisp and resizable images for your dentist, contributing to improved diagnostics and better treatment planning. Digital x-rays are also environmentally friendly compared to radiographs of the past. 

As your pediatric specialist, one of our primary goals is to partner with parents to help them understand how they can help their children with brushing, flossing, and protecting their oral health. Many of the choices you are making each day affect your son or daughter's oral health, such as their nutrition and home care routine. Offering children healthy snacks, a balanced diet, and assistance in using proper techniques for brushing and flossing will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.

Good oral hygiene habits begin before your infant's teeth arrive. Use a warm washcloth to remove bacteria from their gums after feedings. When they get their first teeth, start brushing with a soft bristle brush designed for infants.

As they progress, you can begin to use a small smear of fluoride toothpaste to brush their teeth from ages one to three years, and a pea-sized amount when they reach between the ages of three and six. If you have concerns about using fluoride toothpaste before your son or daughter can spit it out, you can look for xylitol toothpaste instead.

Consistent checkups with your pediatric dentist will also be essential for maintaining your child's oral health. They should visit the dentist every six months for a routine cleaning and checkup starting at age one. Contact our office for more information.

We recommend that you brush your teeth at least twice daily using good technique. Our skilled dental hygienists will be happy to review your technique with you and give you pointers to help you improve to get the most out of your home-care routine.

Yes. A child with a tough time sitting still will need additional support getting used to the dental office. We can help them become familiar with the surroundings so that when it is time for their dental cleaning, they will be used to our office and the environment.

Yes. Unlike amalgam fillings, tooth-colored fillings are made from custom-mixed resin composite. The composite mixture matches your tooth color and bonds directly to the tooth. This usually results in a filling that is nearly indistinguishable from your natural tooth.

If your son or daughter is experiencing a toothache or any other dental emergency, we encourage you to contact your pediatric dentist first. It is best for your pediatric dentist to handle most dental emergencies since hospitals and emergency rooms are not equipped to repair or restore teeth.

If your child has a toothache, it may indicate an infection in their tooth. Your pediatric dentist must evaluate them as soon as possible since infections won't resolve without treatment.

For a broken tooth, contact your pediatric dentist, as they may be able to bond the tooth back together. Even if that is a temporary fix, it will keep your child comfortable until their tooth can be restored.

If your child's tooth has been knocked out, you must see your pediatric dentist immediately. If it's a primary (baby) tooth, they will determine if treatment is needed. If it's a permanent adult tooth, there is only a short window for your pediatric dentist to save the tooth, so time is of the essence. Placing the tooth back in its socket is best to transport it if possible, or use milk to keep it moist and carry it safely to your dentist.

Even if you're unsure that your child is experiencing an actual emergency, contact your pediatric dentist for further instruction.