8 More Questions Every Parent Has About Kids’ Dental Needs

We’re back with answers to more of your most popular questions about kids’ oral health!

Have you read our first post but you’re eager to learn even more about your kids’ dental care needs? Check out these answers to 8 of the more frequently asked questions we get from parents.

1. Should I be worried about my child getting dental work?

As a parent, it’s completely natural to feel worried about your child getting dental work done. That being said, pediatric dental care is highly advanced and the Must Love Kids dentists do everything possible to ensure your child is comfortable, safe, and happy.

Our dentists and staff are highly trained in advanced sedation dentistry practices as well as working with kids who have special needs and severe dental anxiety. Our dentists will also go over treatment procedures with you in detail before anything happens to ensure you’re just as confident and comfortable as your child.

2. What can I do to help my child be less afraid of the dentist?

As much as we love seeing our young patients, we know that sometimes this feeling isn’t always reciprocated when kids have dental anxiety! Dental anxiety or fear is very common in kids and can range from mild nervousness to outright fear. Our staff specialize in comfort dentistry care and offer sedation options to help nervous kids relax.

Parents can also help by maintaining a positive mindset when talking about the dentist, encouraging their kids to share their worries, and offering support in whatever manner best suits their child’s personality.

3. When will my child’s wisdom teeth come in?

Wisdom teeth, or the third molars, begin developing under the gums when your child is between 7 and 10 years of age. They will finally begin to erupt from the gums between 17 and 21 years of age. Your teen may even notice some soreness earlier than 17 as the tooth begins to move upward to the surface of the gums.

Though rare, some kids may be naturally missing wisdom teeth or not have any wisdom teeth at all!

4. Do wisdom teeth really have to be removed?

Wisdom teeth don’t always need to be removed, but in many cases they are. If your dentist finds that your child’s wisdom teeth are impacted, crooked, or your child won’t have the jaw space to support extra teeth, it’s highly recommended they are removed.

If your child’s wisdom teeth are straight, healthy, and they have the jaw space, you can speak with your child’s dentist about leaving them in place.

5. When should my child be evaluated for orthodontics?

The ideal time for an orthodontic evaluation is by age 7. By the time your child is 7 years old, they should have their first adult molars in. These molars establish your child’s back bite and give their dentist or orthodontist a more accurate look at their teeth alignment. Early signs of spacing issues or teeth crowding will also be appearing at this age.

At Must Love Kids we’ll be checking for these things during your kids’ normal dental check-ups to ensure we catch any signs of trouble as early as we possibly can.

6. How do I know what kind of braces are best for my child?

There are a number of different orthodontic treatment options for your child including traditional metal braces, ceramic braces, and even kid-friendly clear aligner systems. It’s impossible to tell which option is right for your child without an orthodontic evaluation and the expert advice of an orthodontist.

If you’re interested in braces for your child, let us know and we can discuss the best course of action and recommend you to a fantastic pediatric orthodontist.

7. Are baby teeth really that important when they’ll be lost anyway?

They sure are! Baby teeth may be temporary but the premature loss of them through tooth decay and similar problems can lead to future issues with bite alignment as well as affect their speech and chewing ability. Doing everything possible to care for your child’s baby teeth so they stay until they are naturally shed ensures their adult teeth are able to come into place with minimal issues.

8. What should I do if my child accidentally knocks out or injures a tooth?

First things first, if your child experiences any sort of dental emergency, call our office immediately. If the dental emergency is severe, such as intense pain, bleeding, or the loss of an adult tooth, please visit the nearest ER.

In the event of a knocked out baby tooth, there isn’t much that can be done and most kids do just fine. We still recommend a phone call and sometimes even an appointment just to check on things. If an adult tooth is knocked out it’s vital you find the tooth, place it back in the socket or in a glass of milk, and get to our office or a local emergency dentist as quickly as possible.

The Must Love Kids team is always ready to help with your questions and concerns.

If you still have more questions or you’re ready to book your child’s next appointment, give our office a call.

If our office is closed or you simply prefer the convenience of the internet, fill out our online appointment request form to book a visit right from your phone or computer. Feel free to also leave us a message on our office line for non-urgent questions!