Madison Smile Solutions partnered with us because they believe you can’t have a healthy body without a healthy mouth.  They are an awesome dental office that loves kids, and enjoy meeting and helping local families stay in excellent oral health.  Parents often get conflicting messages about their children’s oral health. Here are some of the questions that parents ask them on a regular basis.

When should my child have their first dentist appointment?

You can bring your children in for a FREE exam as early as 6 to 18 months.  At the very latest, they need to visit a dentist before starting preschool.  Dr. Kaveh evaluates the teeth, looks for cavities, addresses airway and facial growth concerns.  We often can do cleanings on kids as little as 12-14 months too which helps get the plaque off that may cause a cavity.

What should I do if my child has a toothache?

Having something stuck is a leading cause of toothaches among children since it is harder for them to tell why their tooth hurts. Get out the floss and if that doesn’t help or their tooth still hurts, call and schedule a dental appointment.  They may have a cavity or infection that needs to be treated.

Since it is going to fall out, does my kid really need a filling in a baby tooth? 

Cavities are so common in kids that the CDC has acknowledged this as the number one health issue that children deal with.  We realize each child is on their own schedule for getting and losing teeth.  So depending on which tooth and the age of the child – we can evaluate if it’s best to fill it or wait until it falls out.  What a lot of parents don’t realize is that if your child has a cavity on a back tooth at age 6 or 7- they may not lose that tooth until age 12!  To prevent cavities, children need to brush twice a day, for two minutes ideally with fluoride toothpaste, along with the use of a waterpik or flossing daily.

My child’s tooth got knocked out while playing. What should we do?

Bring them in as soon as possible. We will make sure that the area is cleaned so that there isn’t a risk of an infection developing, and if the area is still bleeding we can help to stop it.  If the tooth was a baby tooth, they will need to wait for the replacement tooth to grow in. If it was a permanent tooth and you can find it, bring it in.  Place it is a cup of milk for the ride, and we may be able to save it.

Does my child need a mouth guard?

The correct answer is yes!  It can be tricky as kids are teeth are constantly changing and as soon as you make one then it may not fit soon after due to losing another tooth.  It is best to have them wear a mouth guard while playing sports.  Use your Tri 4 Schools coupon to get $5 off.

Please call for an appointment, consultation, or questions.  We love meeting new families.  We are a local, “mom and pop” dental shop.  We have a 5 and 3 year old ourselves.  We strive to make sure the children are comfortable and have as much fun as possible at their dental appointments plus we have really great treasures in the treasure box!  Call 608-227-7000 or  visit www.MadSmiles.com.   We’ll see you at the Mud Run!