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FAQs
We have two highly experienced anesthesiologists that provide care in our office who we have trusted for many years. We also treat patients at our local hospital. Advancement in technology and methods has made general anesthesia a choice we feel comfortable offering. If appropriate, it can be an avenue for a child to receive treatment that would otherwise be impossible.
The younger patients seem to do better in the morning, but you know your child the best. We are open 5 days a week in Bremerton and 3-4 days in Port Orchard so we can hopefully accommodate a time and day that is good for you.
Primary teeth help with speaking, chewing and guiding the permanent teeth into the correct position. An untreated cavity can cause pain, infection and early loss of a tooth. Proper care of baby teeth can enhance the overall health of your child.
There needs to be a combination of a tooth, bacteria, sugar and time. Plaque is the word used to describe the bacteria that stick to your tooth and what proper tooth brushing removes. When you eat, the sugar in your food causes the bacteria in plaque to produce acids that dissolve enamel. With time and repetitive acid delivery, the enamel will eventually break down and a hole (cavity) will form.
Bringing your child to a dentist every 6 months beginning at age 1 will help start things off on a good foot. We can provide preventative tips and evaluate the diet and effectiveness of oral hygiene. Proper brushing at home, regular dental visits and a balanced diet are the foundation of a life time of good oral health.
The age one visit, or within 6 months of the first tooth eruption is now the recommended time frame. That is when a prevention plan can be outlined and individualized for each patient and situation. Pediatric dentists are very comfortable looking at very young children and spotting potential problems early on.
We have several options for families. We have a designated dental space for adult accompaniment if desired. We also have large consult rooms that can be used for a dental evaluation with family members. Since we are very child friendly, most patients sooner or later go with our staff members independently after a consult with the caregiver. However, whether or not you stay with your child is ultimately your decision.
Typically, every 6 months for a checkup is the standard of care. There are some we see on a more frequent basis depending of need and parent desires.
The diet has a huge effect on oral health. A balanced diet is best for establishing and maintaining good oral health. Foods that are kindest to the teeth are protein, fruit and vegetables. Milk and water are the best liquid choices. Limiting sugars and carbohydrates is the other side of the coin. We can be more specific at your child’s visit.
The first teeth to erupt are the lower incisors, generally around 6 months of age. The upper two front teeth are usually next up. The remaining 18 come over the next 24 months until you get to 20. There is a wide range of timing; both early and late so don’t panic if your child is on either side of the average.
A child specialist gets and extra 2-3 years of training and has more in depth experience with infants, children adolescents and special needs patients.
Fluoride in the water has a proven very strong anti-cavity effect. Kitsap county and the peninsula has very limited water fluoridation. We can discuss fluoride options with each family and what their comfort level is as part of a prevention plan.
Grinding is very common. Typically you will hear is at night while your child is sleeping. Most children outgrow grinding at around 6-9 years old as more permanent teeth erupt. Occasionally, a night guard is made to wear while sleeping to prevent enamel wear.
We take most major insurance plans. We can also process credit cards and in some cases can work out a payment plan.
We highly recommend wearing a mouth guard when playing any sport. The over the counter variety has mixed results with comfort and bulkiness. We make a basic custom made sports guard at a reasonable cost. Sometimes, if you are wearing braces, your orthodontist can make one as well.
Nitrous oxide and oxygen combined is very safe. Most children tolerate it very easily. It has a rapid onset and can be reversed or adjusted quickly. Nitrous oxide is also non-allergenic. When breathing in, your child remains fully conscious, retaining all their natural reflexes.
We feel that nursing throughout the day is fine as long as the teeth are getting brushed on a regular basis. Nursing throughout the night gives the bacteria a chance to feed as well without being brushed off. That is a combination that can lead to decay formation.
First, try to find the tooth. Time is important. Hold it by the crown, not the root. If possible, place it back in the socket. You may wash it off with milk or saline. If you cannot replace it yourself, place it in a container of milk and get to the office as soon as possible. Getting it back in place in the first 30 minutes will make a difference.
Sealants work by filling in the crevasses on the chewing surface of the teeth. This shuts out food that might get lodged in the grooves, helping to cause cavities. The application is fairly straight forward and can protect the biting surface of back teeth for many years.
For a younger child, extra space is a good sign there will be available space for the larger permanent teeth that will erupt later in life. An orthodontic screening exam is part of our 6 month checkup so will keep caregivers apprised of potential orthodontic issues if they arise.
Sore gums are part of the normal eruptive process. A cold chew toy is a time tested item that can help in many cases. Over the counter pain medication can be used if desired. There are mixed results with rub on products or chewing tablets.
Thumb and pacifier habits are not a problem unless continued for a long period of time. Most children will stop the habit on their own. However if your child’s habit persist past 5 years old, orthodontic intervention may be needed. We can make some recommendations individually during a checkup visit.
Make an appointment as soon as possible so we can assess the situation. We may call in some medication initially to give some short term relief. We also will see patients very quickly for an evaluation appointment so don’t hesitate to call during normal business hours as that is when we can be the most efficient at seeing your child.
We favor a tooth brush over a washcloth or finger brush. We recommend brushing at the first sign that a tooth is erupting. We always give a new high quality tooth brush at each checkup visit. Generally, changing your tooth brush every 3 months is recommended by the American Dental Association.
For a child below 2, water or a non-fluoride tooth paste is generally recommended. We sometimes recommend using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste for young children if no fluoride supplements are being used and there is no water fluoridation. Brushing should be done by an adult once a day until age 8 or beyond.
There are few risks with dental x-rays. We take x-rays in accordance with our academy’s recommendation and are careful to limit the amount of radiation to which children are exposed. Lead aprons and high-speed film are used to ensure safety and minimize the amount of radiation.
If your child has a dental emergency, you can get 24-hour support through our answering service. You can call anytime if your child is experiencing things like a knocked-out tooth, broken tooth, or severe pain, and you’ll be connected to a dentist for advice or urgent care. This helps make sure your child’s dental emergency gets attention quickly, even after regular office hours.
It’s best to schedule your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after you see their first tooth come in. At this first appointment, the dentist will check your child’s gums, teeth, and overall mouth development. You’ll get advice on brushing, feeding, teething, and how to prevent cavities. The dentist will also talk about things like thumb sucking and what to expect as more teeth come in. This first visit is mostly about helping your child feel comfortable and answering any questions you have about caring for their teeth.
If your child is very anxious about dental treatment, there are several sedation options. For mild anxiety, nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) helps most kids relax and is safe to use. If your child needs more support, options like oral sedation or general anesthesia may be recommended, depending on their needs and the type of procedure. General anesthesia is provided in a safe, controlled setting by experienced pediatric anesthesiologists. The goal is always to keep your child comfortable and safe during their visit.
Tongue tie and lip tie treatments are available and often done using a state-of-the-art CO2 laser. This kind of laser procedure, called a frenectomy, is quick, usually causes less discomfort than traditional methods, and helps speed up recovery. The laser approach is safe for babies, kids, and teens, and it’s great for patients who might be nervous about dental procedures. If you have questions about whether your child might benefit from this treatment, you can ask the dentist during your visit.
We accept most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, United Concordia, MetLife, GEHA, Regence, Premera, Guardian, and Aetna. If you don’t have insurance or need extra help, we also take credit cards and offer flexible payment plans to make dental care more manageable for families.
Orthodontic evaluations are part of what we do during routine dental visits. We check how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and look for signs of bite problems or crooked teeth. If we notice anything that might need braces or other orthodontic care, we’ll talk with you about next steps. Early checks can help catch and treat these issues before they get more complicated.
Kids with sensory issues or special needs often feel anxious or overwhelmed during dental visits, so we take extra steps to make sure they feel safe and comfortable. We start by listening to both the child and their parents about what makes them most at ease. The environment is kept calm and welcoming, with staff trained to explain everything in a gentle, simple way and to go at the child’s pace. If a child needs extra support, there are options like breaks, distraction techniques, and sometimes sedation, depending on the situation. Our team uses proven behavior management techniques and adapts each visit to every child’s unique needs, so visits are less stressful and more positive overall.
If your child has a cavity, we use tooth-colored composite fillings to restore the tooth so it looks natural and works well for chewing. When a tooth is seriously damaged or decayed, we might recommend a full coverage restoration like a crown to protect it. If an extraction is needed—meaning the tooth needs to be taken out—we make the procedure as gentle as possible, and we can place a space maintainer afterward if needed so your child’s other teeth stay in the right position as they grow. These treatments are done with your child’s comfort in mind using behavior management, numbing, or sedation options as needed.
Behavior management in pediatric dentistry is all about helping kids feel comfortable and safe during their visit. Techniques include speaking to children in simple language, showing them dental tools before using them (the “tell-show-do” method), offering praise and rewards for cooperation, and letting them ask questions so they feel in control. Distraction tools like fun videos or ceiling decorations can also help. For kids who feel really anxious or have trouble staying still, options like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or, rarely, deeper sedation are available, always under the care of experienced pediatric professionals. The main goal is to build trust, explain what’s happening, and make each visit as positive as possible.
