39 E Colorado Ave, Frankfort, IL 60423 - (708) 789-9289 6305 W 95th St, 2nd Floor, Oak Lawn, IL 60453 - (708) 424-1300 9111 W. 151st St., Orland Park, IL 60462 - (708) 590-4422
There are so many questions and we hope we can do our best to answer all of them. Read below for more info. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Give us a call and we will be happy to help!
We start as early as age 1! First birthday, first dental visit. We believe starting early can help introduce your child to the dental environment, establish a relationship with your dentist, and help establish early habits for a successful, healthy oral future!
It is normal to be anxious about how your child will anticipate a visit to the dentist. At Bite Size Pediatric Dentistry, working with kids is what we do best-we are ready to step up to the plate! We will discuss options to help my your little one comfortable and do our best to ease them into the visit. Call us today to discuss what to expect!
Pediatric dentists have successfully completed dental training and an extensive 2-3 year “extra” training in the development, anatomy, conditions, etc. that are specific to infants, children, adolescents (including children with special needs). At a pediatric dental office, everything is geared towards the child’s senses, in hopes of creating a positive, stress free experience.
One the first tooth has come in! Yes, it may seem early, but it is important to establish a routine early. A soft-bristled toothbrush can do the trick! At age one, introducing fluoride toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) can also help eliminate the risk of dental decay.
In accordance with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, fluoride toothpaste can be used as early as age one. The parents should apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush and ensure that it mimics the size of a grain of rice.
Tooth grinding is a natural, normal phenomenon in children. Often children will grind as new teeth come in and they find their spot. It can be hard to listen to, but rest assured, most children will outgrow it. Mouth guard fabrication is difficult at this age due to growing/changing nature of the child.
Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, serve the same function as permanent teeth. They help us chew, speak, smile, talk, etc. Keeping them healthy will help eliminate any pain/discomfort that your child may experience. They also serve as place holders for permanent teeth. Some baby teeth do not come out until 12-13 years old, therefore keeping them healthy is very important!
A dental emergency can consist of knocked out teeth, teeth shifted out of place, cracked teeth due to a fall/injury, or severe swelling. If you’re child has severe swelling, a visit to the emergency room may be necessary. Please call us if your child is in distress due to a dental emergency.
Many infants soothe themselves with use of a pacifier or thumb/finger. It can be a hard habit to break-finding the right time to break the habit can be difficult for most parents. We recommend that children attempt to break the habit by age 3. Prolonged use of pacifiers/finger habits will affect the shape, crowding, and alignment of a child's teeth. Positive reinforcement (sticker charts, rewards) can be a great approach to breaking the habit. Pacifiers can be thrown out, the nipple can be cut down, or traded in to the “binky fairy”-thumbs unfortunately, are a little harder to let go of.
Of course! At Bite Size Pediatric Dentistry, we encourage parents to accompany the child in the room during their visit. We enjoy meeting the whole family and creating a positive experience for your little one!
It is recommended that your child visit the dentist every six months. Routine care and check ups allows for early detection of any problems and allows our team to work with your child in improving their oral health and establishing a positive relationship with them. Children whom may be at risk for developing dental decay may require more frequent visits.
Flossing should take place when two teeth are touching and “tight” together. Often times, the back “baby molars” can be found touching. Flossing, at least once a day, is important in children to eliminate cavities that form “in-between” the teeth.
Dental sealants are a tooth-colored protective coating that “seals” the grooves of teeth (usually molars) that are susceptible to dental decay. Dental sealants are a great preventive measure to reducing the chance of dental decay. Ur pediatric dentist will evaluate if your child is a candidate for dental sealants and will happily discuss them further with you!
With children of all ages involved in all kinds of sports, injuries are inevitable. Luckily, injuries to teeth are easily avoidable with the use of a mouth guard. There are many options available for mouth guards. We will discuss those options with you and help you choose a mouth guard that best protects your child.
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