Frequently Asked Dental Questions – Arlington Heights, IL
Your Pediatric Dentistry Questions Answered
If you’re new to our practice, you likely have many questions; namely, is this the right dental practice for your child? The answer is yes! We want to answer many of your questions right here so that you can feel confident in bringing your child to us and have a genuinely positive dental experience. If, however, you have other questions that you’d like to ask us, we invite you to reach out to us. We’ll happily address your concerns and schedule an appointment for your child.
When should I bring my child for their first dental visit?
Typically, we recommend coming for your child’s first visit about six months after their first tooth arrives or around their first birthday. However, if they have a tongue tie or other early issue, we can certainly see them sooner! At this appointment, in addition to performing a gentle exam to make sure their teeth are healthy, we will primarily be making sure your child has a positive introduction to our office and to dentistry.
How often do I need to bring my child in for checkups and cleanings?
To keep your child’s smile healthy, they need to come in every six months. Even kids who brush their teeth every day benefit from these regular visits. Not only can we catch dental problems while they are small and easy to treat, but we can remove hardened plaque and stop issues from developing in the future. This appointment may seem routine, but it can help you and your child save time, money, and pain in the long run.
Do you offer general anesthesia?
For more complex cases, special needs patients, or other situations, we can use general anesthesia to sedate a patient. Our experienced team will work to make sure your loved one stays safe and comfortable throughout treatment. Just let us know beforehand that you’d like to consider this sedation so we can be fully prepared for the visit.
How do you treat a tongue or lip tie?
Unlike some other offices still using traditional methods of treatment, All About Kids Dentistry utilizes state-of-the-art technology to perform frenectomies. With our soft tissue laser, your child will experience very little discomfort and little or no bleeding at all.
Are baby teeth really that important?
True, your child will lose their baby teeth at a certain age. However, baby teeth serve an essential purpose—not only do they help your child eat, but they also hold a spot for the still-developing permanent teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, it can mess up their smile’s alignment, leading to the need for more orthodontic treatment later on. It can also cause speech issues. That’s why it’s important to take care of their baby teeth as much as possible and let them come out when the time is right.
Do you treat patients with special needs?
Absolutely! As board-certified pediatric dentists, we are highly trained in working with children of all ability levels. We understand that dental visits can be especially difficult for those with mental and physical challenges, and we want to make the process easier for everyone. In addition to sedation options, our team is patient and caring, helping to put your child at ease.