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Frequently Asked Questions

How often should my child visit?

We recommend bringing your child in for a routine check-up and cleaning in order to determine their needs. While most children benefit from a dental visit every six months, every child is different. Come to Smile Squad and we will create an individual plan for your child.

Prolonged habits past 18 months can lead to misaligned bites and changes in the shape of the mouth. This often affects the adult teeth as they come in as well. Call to make an appointment so we can assess your child’s development and develop effective strategies with you to help break the habit.

While they are a convenient way to sneak in nutrients, they act exactly like candy — sticking to the grooves of the teeth and wearing down protective enamel. Gummy vitamins often have added sugar. Dr. Oparaeke recommends liquid or chalky vitamins (like the classic Flintstones) in order to avoid a sticky situation.

We generally introduce routine x-rays at age four. For children with healthy oral hygiene, these are usually only necessary once a year to monitor their development and catch any early dental disease.

Begin flossing as soon as your child has two teeth that touch each other. This often happens around age 4. Parents typically need to do the flossing for their children until they have the hand coordination to do it themselves, usually around age seven or eight.

Baby teeth help children to chew, smile, talk, and feel confident. While these teeth do fall out, untreated decay can cause severe pain, lead to infections, and even damage the adult tooth growing underneath. At Smile Squad Pediatric Dentistry, we have various options to help maintain a healthy smile.

Severe tooth pain, a cracked or fractured tooth, facial swelling near the jaw, cheek or gums, and a knocked out tooth are all dental emergencies. If your child experiences any of these, call our office immediately for prompt care.

Sealants are a thin, protective layer that is applied to the chewing surfaces of the back molars. They seal out food and bacteria from deep grooves, reducing the risk of cavities. This process is quick and does not require numbing or drilling.

SDF is a conservative way to manage decay. The silver acts as an antimicrobial agent to get rid of the bacteria causing decay while the fluoride helps to strengthen and remineralize the tooth. Give us a call to schedule an evaluation and see if your child is a good candidate for SDF treatment.

We accept all PPO plans! Give us a call and we can discuss your plan’s benefits.