Frequently Asked Pediatric Dental Questions – Aspen Hill, MD
Helping Answer All of Your Dental Questions
Nobody hands you a how-to book on taking care of growing smiles whenever you have your child, but our team can help answer all of your questions to make you feel more confident in the care that you’re providing your little one with. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common questions that we receive from parents of our patients. If you don’t see the information you’re looking for, please feel free to reach out.
When should children first visit the dentist’s office?
The American Dental Association recommends bringing your child to a dentist regularly by the time they turn one or whenever their first tooth appears in their mouth.
What should I do if my child has a toothache?
If your child has a toothache that doesn’t go away within 24 hours, please call our pediatric dental office immediately. We’ll schedule an emergency visit for them and ensure that they receive the pain-relieving care they need. To help with their pain, you can place a cold compress on the outside of their mouth or give them an over-the-counter children’s pain medicine according to the dosage on the box.
How do I know if my teen needs braces?
The best way to learn whether your teen needs braces is to come in for a consultation. We’ll examine their mouth and X-rays to assess any bite or dental misalignment. Based on the results, we may recommend any of our orthodontic treatment options, including traditional braces, Invisalign, and Fastbraces.
My child chipped their tooth. Can you fix it?
Yes! Visit us as soon as possible. If the damage is minor, we’ll be able to use dental bonding to seamlessly repair the tooth, which is a fast, non-invasive, and cost-effective treatment.
How often should I change out my child’s toothbrush?
It’s recommended that you change out your child’s toothbrush once every three months, whenever you notice that the bristles are beginning to fray, or after they’ve gotten over any sickness. This will prevent bacteria from accumulating on the brush and transferring to their mouth.
Should I be cleaning my infant’s mouth, even if they don’t have teeth yet?
Yes! We recommend using a clean washcloth with a little warm water on it to wipe an infant’s gums after they’ve eaten. This will prevent bacteria from settling on their mouth, ultimately affecting the developing teeth beneath the gumline.