FAQs

What is pediatric dentistry?

A pediatric dentist is a dentist that specializes in dentistry for children! Pediatric dentistry is an age–defined specialty that provides primary, comprehensive, preventive and therapeutic oral health care for infants and children through adolescence, including those with special health care needs. Pediatric dentists have specialized training, and, like Dr. Steinmetz, enjoy working with children. Our office is always current on the latest diagnostic and treatment procedures for young people. Our goal for each child is to create an experience that will leave them looking forward to their next dental visit.

When should I bring in my child to see Dr. Steinmetz?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatrics, a child should make their first trip to a dental office by age one. At this age your child will have an exam to evaluate the health and development of their teeth. Most children at this age are not quite ready to have their teeth cleaned; however, this will change with routine dental care. This exam will give you an understanding of your childs dental development and tips for hygiene care.

Why visit the dentist twice a year when my child has never had a cavity?

Tooth decay is not the only reason for a dental visit. Regular cleaning visits help your child stay cavity–free as well as remove plaque and tarter that build up on teeth and irritate the gums. Fluoride treatments strengthen the teeth and prevent cavities. Hygiene instructions improve your child's brushing and flossing skills, leading to cleaner teeth and healthier gums. Dr. Steinmetz provides an ongoing assessment of changes in your child's oral health. To maintain your child's beautiful smile, Dr. Steinmetz may identify the need for orthodontic treatment to guide his or her teeth as they emerge.

How do I choose the right toothbrush for my Child?

Young children have smaller mouths and hands, so brushes made for the childs age are the best way to go. Soft bristles are good, and smaller brush heads can help them get the brush in their mouths. A lot of companies are making brushes with animals, cartoon characters, bright colors, fun shapes, or even music, which is great encouragement to get your child excited about brushing. Some of the new electronic toothbrushes do a good job too, such as the Sonicare and the Oral-B spin brush. Feel free to ask us about specifics on them during your next visit. (We do sell Sonicare toothbrushes in our office!) Remember that young children need help brushing even if they use an electric tooth brush. We recommend that you allow your child to brush first, and then that you go over it to ensure a thorough job!

Is flossing really necessary for Children?

Flossing is very important, even for children. Some children may have larger spaces between their teeth, but a large space does not always keep food from getting stuck. Children typically cannot floss their own teeth until age 8 so it is very important to help your child floss. Children are rarely eager to have their teeth flossed so we recommend buying floss that your child likes the taste of. The loop method of flossing is sometimes easier for children. Take a piece of floss and tie it into a circle. Then, putting all of your fingers in the loop, use your index finger to guide floss through the bottom teeth and your thumbs for the top. Or a floss holder may be a good option too (they come in exciting shapes and colors). It will give your child something to hold on to while flossing.

My Children snack all day long - is that a problem with regard to their teeth?

Plaque is essentially caused by food in the mouth, so the more frequently food is eaten, the more plaque and the more likely your child is to get cavities. The best route is to try to limit snacks to two or three times daily and instead focus on full, well–balanced meals at regular meal times. However, that can be difficult for fast–growing kids, so another thing to keep in mind is that some foods are worse than others in terms of their ability to cause decay. Give your children cheese, fruits or vegetables as a snack and try to avoid sugars and starches. Give your child milk or water at snack time and stay away from juice or soda. We also recommend that children brush their teeth after a snack as well as the meals they eat.

What do I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?

If the tooth is a permanent tooth it will require emergency attention. If you can, put the tooth back into the hole it was knocked out or put it in a containing your childs saliva, milk or water. Don't touch the root (the part that would normally be below the gum line) and get to the dentist as quickly as possible. The sooner that the tooth is put back in place, the more likely it is to be saved.

Are dental x–rays safe?

Thanks to modern technology and the safeguards that we employ at the Children's Dental Health Center, there are few if any risks. At the same time, x–rays are a critical tool that we use to uncover potentially destructive dental problems, which is why we strongly recommend periodic x–rays. We now use digital x–ray systems so the amount of radiation exposure is at a minimum (70—90% less than traditional x–rays). In fact, there is more radiation exposure in a couple hours of sunlight.

What should I know about general anesthesia?

General anesthesia is an option given to families with a young child, a special needs child, a child with a high level of dental anxiety, and a child who has large amounts of decay to treat dental related needs. While your child is under general anesthesia (asleep), Dr. Steinmetz and his staff can provide quality treatment quickly and affectively without any consequence to the child. General anesthesia is offered at the Bozeman Deaconess Hospital as an outpatient procedure. General anesthesia has risks any time it is performed, but we remain confident that these risks are minimal and that the benefit of proper treatment outweighs them, but we'd like to talk to you in more detail about the procedures and alternative options that are best suited for your child.

My child is Terrified of the dentist—what do I do?

Any unfamiliar place can be scary to a young child, so it is important to speak with your child about how wonderful the visit will be. Talk to your child about all the fun things they will get to do at their visit, pick out a new toothbrush, get stickers, prizes, and count their teeth. Stay away from words like ‘hurt’, ‘drill’, and ‘needle’ and focus on positives. It is also recommended that you make your childs first dental appointment earlier in the day when your child is fresh and alert. Maintaining regular dental check–ups every six months will help your child build trust and comfort in the dental office. We care for children as individuals and are prepared for an apprehensive child. We make it our duty to ensure that your child has the best experience as possible each time they come in.

What is valium? Risks? Side Affects?

Valium is a type of drug called a Benzodiazepine. The Children's Dental Health Center P.C. uses valium to help relieve anxieties that many children have coming into a dental office for treatment. Appointments that we use valium for are longer appointments that would be very uncomfortable for any child that is anxious about their visit. Valium will often cause a child to be weary and maybe even sleep through their visit and best of all valium offers some amnesia which will protect your child from remembering the details of their appointment. We use Valium at the Children's Dental Health Center P.C. because it has very few risks. Risks are higher in those with serious medical conditions. When your child takes the valium, be sure to watch him/her closely, your child will be drowsy and may be a little off balance. The effects of valium vary from child to child. The valium usually wears off in four to six hours, but we recommend that your child stay away from physical activity the day that it is given.

My Child has been up all night with tooth pain, what do I do?

Tooth pain is typically a sign of infection. Check your childs mouth for any other signs of infection such as swelling, redness, bumps or an area of discomfort. Call our office and set up an appointment. We would like to see your child right away in this situation as a child that is not eating or sleeping deserves immediate attention.

My Child has a tooth coming in behind a baby tooth that is not even loose, what do I do?

Make an appointment for us to look at it. We may want to remove the tooth depending on the severity of its position in your childs mouth. It is very common for lower permanent incisors (bottom front teeth) to come in this way. If the baby tooth is loose keep trying to wiggle it out. After a few weeks if the tooth is not getting any looser, or if you have any questions, call our office.

My Child fell and bumped their mouth but nothing appears to be wrong, should I bring them in?

If you would like your child to be seen we would love to see your child. If your child is under the age of five we would like for you to make an appointment. Otherwise watch your childs teeth for color change, redness and swelling around the tooth, or a little bump above the tooth. If any changes occur contact us right away.

Why should I fix my childs baby teeth if they will lose them eventually anyway?

Baby teeth are an important part of dental development. A baby tooth holds the place for a permanent tooth, helps the bone grow appropriately and it is needed for chewing. Children loose their front teeth between the ages of six and eight but will not loose all of their back teeth until they are between ten and thirteen. A cavity in the baby tooth can lead to infection which can be very painful, and may spread into the developing permanent tooth. In some situations if the child will be losing the tooth soon we may opt to watch the tooth and let it come out on its own.

Should I put my child on a fluoride supplement?

Initially it was believed that ingested fluoride would assist in the development of the permanent teeth. Studies have recently shown this is not the case. Fluoride is only helpful topically. We do not recommend supplements, however, a topical fluoride (fluoridated toothpaste, gels, rinses, and varnishes) do help reverse cavities which are just beginning to form.

What type of toothpaste should I buy for my child?

First of all find a toothpaste brand that your child likes. There are many types of toothpaste on the market from sparkly fun bubble gum to baking soda and tarter control. Many parents now prefer to use natural toothpastes, which work well. Crest, Colgate, and Aqua fresh toothpaste are all fine too. Some toothpastes, both natural and otherwise come with fluoride, which helps reverse early stages of cavities, but it is a personal preference. The most important ways to prevent cavities and maintain a healthy mouth is to brush at least two times a day, floss once, drink water, limit snacks and eat healthy meals.

I have a lot of cavities, so will my child be more prone?

Cavities are not genetic, however, the bacteria which cause cavities is typically passed from parent to child (usually by sharing utensils). Someone with multiple cavities is likely to have a larger amount of bacteria in their mouth. Therefore a parent with many cavities and bacteria is more likely to transfer those bacteria to their child, which in turn will make the child more prone to decay. It is very important that parents take care of their own teeth as well as their childs.

What is Gingivitis?

Gingivitis is a localized infection of the gums. Typically the infected gums are red, sore and will often bleed. Gingivitis can be prevented by proper, regular brushing and flossing. People of all ages are capable of contracting gingivitis if they are unaware of proper dental care. At your childs cleaning appointment we go over proper brushing and flossing to eliminate and prevent this infection.

My child grinds his/her teeth at night, what should I do?

Mild grinding of baby teeth, before the permanent teeth erupt is normal. Excessive grinding which wears the teeth down is a sign of jaw and teeth alignment problems. If your child is wearing their teeth down with excessive grinding make an appointment and Dr. Steinmetz will evaluate your childs jaw position in relation to the teeth, and then help you come up with the appropriate treatment for your child.