FAQs

A pediatric dentist works exclusively with patients under the age of 18. This includes patients as young as toddlers as their teeth first come in. Being a pediatric dentist requires having an additional certification beyond the base doctorate of dentistry that allows them to specialize in the unique aspects of oral development specific to kids versus adult patients. If you are looking for an experienced kids dentist who understands these developmental milestones, finding a team that specializes in early childhood oral care makes all the difference. At Crisp & Associates Pediatric Dentistry, our entire clinic is purposefully designed to make dental visits comfortable, engaging, and entirely stress-free for growing smiles. By establishing a positive relationship with a specialized practitioner early on, you set your child up for a lifetime of excellent oral health habits.

This might seem alarming but is actually fairly common. Usually this happens when the adult tooth decides it's time to come in but the baby tooth hasn't gotten loose enough to fall out on its own. Typically, baby teeth fall out in about 2 months of wiggling, but if it lasts longer than that and the adult tooth is trying to come in, we can remove the tooth for your child to prevent alignment issues. This specialized structural oversight is a core reason why establishing a routine relationship with a pediatric dentist is so critical for your child's developing smile. Routine checkups allow a professional to monitor these transitions closely and intervene before minor spacing bottlenecks turn into severe, long-term orthodontic complications. Furthermore, proactive clinical visits help combat early decay trends, which remains a widespread issue for growing families across the country. According to the CDC, nearly 17% of children aged six to nine have cavities in their permanent teeth.

Most of the time a baby will start getting their first set of teeth at 6-8 months of age. By the time your child is 3 years old, he or she will probably have 20 primary teeth. Adult (permanent) teeth can start coming in as early as age 6 and progress to age 21. Monitoring this lifelong dental timeline requires the specialized expertise of a dedicated kids dentist who knows exactly how to handle shifting dental development. A professional can help track these emerging milestones, ensuring that both primary and permanent teeth have the space they need to grow properly. Scheduling regular preventative cleanings during these formative years will ultimately set your child up for a healthy, confident smile that lasts well into adulthood.

Usually the answer to this depends on the child's age. If they're at a point where that tooth is likely to fall out soon and be replaced by the adult tooth in that spot, it can be simpler to let that happen (or to remove the baby tooth). If the child is young enough that leaving it alone could lead to infection, or that extracting the tooth could leave an empty spot for a long time before the adult tooth takes its place, we may opt to fill the cavity. If you suspect your child has a cavity on a baby tooth, call one of our offices to schedule a visit to plan the best next steps. Consulting with a specialized pediatric dentist ensures that your child receives an accurate diagnostic evaluation tailored specifically to their developing primary dentition. A professional can carefully evaluate the root structure of the baby tooth using digital imaging to see exactly how close the underlying adult tooth is to emerging. Making this strategic clinical distinction is essential for preserving proper jaw spacing and protecting your child from unnecessary discomfort.

Sticky food is one of the most common culprits of damaged fillings. Chewing these foods can pull on the filling and cause it to become loose over time. Eventually that can cause it to fall out. Though fillings are meant to restore the chewing surface of the tooth and prevent further decay, the filling material isn't as strong as the tooth's original enamel. When a restoration fails or dislodges, scheduling a prompt visit with a qualified kids dentist is essential to protect the exposed inner layers of the tooth from fresh bacterial growth. A specialized practitioner can gently evaluate the area, remove any debris, and place a durable new restoration to keep your child's smile healthy and pain-free. Educating your child about avoiding extremely sticky candies after a procedure is a great way to ensure their dental work stays secure for years to come.