ANXIETY-FREE PEDIATRIC DENTAL CARE
Our compassionate staff delivers high-quality dental care in a relaxed atmosphere. Everything about our practice is designed to create a comfortable and safe dental experience for your child. From our fun and relaxed office environment, with televisions at every chair, to our service-oriented staff, our goal is to exceed your expectations at every visit.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU’RE HERE
One-On-One Attention
Each child’s teeth are different. At Bluegrass Pediatric Dentistry, we emphasize one-on-one attention for each child in order to create a treatment plan that is unique to each patient’s individual dental needs.
Preventive Dentistry
At Bluegrass Pediatric Dentistry, our goal is to prevent dental issues from arising before it’s too late. We recommend scheduling a check-up appointment every 6 months to ensure your child’s teeth are growing properly with no underlying problems. However, should your child need dental work as a result of cavities, called Restorative Dentistry, we will discuss the options with you to choose what’s best for your individual child.
Tips for Cavity Prevention
- Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
- Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
- Watch what you drink.
- Avoid sticky foods.
- Make treats part of meals.
- Choose nutritious snacks.
Special Care
Our goal is to help children, adolescents and those with special needs achieve optimum oral health. We greatly appreciate the trust you place in us and care for each child as if we were treating our own.
Restorative Dentistry
Restorative dentistry is dental work required as a result of cavities. Bluegrass Pediatric Dentistry performs all types of restorative dentistry on our patients through the most appropriate method of sedation, or relaxation, for the comfort and safety of your individual child.
TYPES OF SEDATION WE OFFER
NITROUS OXIDE SEDATION
Our most popular tool for helping our patients to be more comfortable with restorative dentistry is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) says that “Nitrous oxide with oxygen is a safe, effective sedative agent used to calm a child’s fear of the dental visit and enhance effective communication.” Additionally, it works well for children whose gag reflex interferes with dental treatment.
ORAL CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Bluegrass Pediatric Dentistry offers oral conscious sedation in the office. Medications are given to the child in the office that reduces anxiety and enhances cooperation. The child is not unconscious and breathes completely on their own. We monitor their vital signs before, during, and after the procedure.
GENERAL ANESTHESIA
Bluegrass Pediatric Dentistry also offers general anesthesia as a treatment option. Sometimes children are unable to cooperate or require too much dental work to be completed in the office. These children may be treated in a hospital or surgery center setting under general anesthesia. Here, an anesthesiologist monitors and keeps the patient comfortable while one of our doctors are able to complete the needed treatment. This setting enables children who cannot cooperate in the office to have all of their dental work completed in one visit and have no recollection of the treatment. Our team is very experienced in treating children under general anesthesia.
FAQs
WHAT AGE SHOULD MY CHILD SEE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST?
The AAPD recommends that your child should be seen no later than 6 months after their first tooth erupts from the gum. Your child’s first birthday is an excellent time for their first dental visit. Little teeth need as much attention as “big teeth” to prevent decay and encourage life-long healthy habits.
How to best prepare for your first visit
Have fun preparing your child for their first visit, like you would their first hair cut or traveling for a trip. Setting the expectation that the experience will be a fun and positive one, will help ease any anxiety your child might feel and increase your chances of an enjoyable visit. Having your forms filled out in advance will help expedite the check-in process and give you more time to ensure your child is excited to meet the doctor versus apprehensive about what’s to come.
DOES PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY COST MORE?
Every parent wants the best for their children, and we do too! Our office will make every effort to provide you with the finest care and the most convenient financial options. To accomplish this, we work with you to maximize your insurance reimbursement for covered procedures. Our practice accepts most insurances, including Kentucky Medicaid and KCHIP.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD MY CHILD VISIT THE DENTIST?
Generally, your child should see the dentist every 6 months. Tracking oral habits, hygiene, and growth regularly is essential to ensuring we can prevent any arising issues before restorative actions have to be taken.
WHEN SHOULD I START BRUSHING MY CHILD’S TEETH?
Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, we recommend you clean his gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as his first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You can most likely find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore. Non-Fluoride toothpaste should be used on children under the age of 3, as fluoride can be dangerous for very young children.
Tips for toddler tooth brushing:
- Let your child pick out a few toothbrushes with his favorite characters and give him a choice of which one he wants to use each time. This will give him some feeling of control over the situation.
- Let your child brush his own teeth first, you will likely have to “help out” to ensure they are thoroughly brushed.
- Let your child read some children’s books about tooth brushing.
- Brush your teeth along with your child. Doing it together can make it more appealing.
DOES YOUR CHILD NEED BRACES?
If your child is age 7 or older, it’s time to visit an orthodontist. The earlier you can get your child in for an examination with an orthodontist, the easier it will be to ensure they start treatment at the right time to obtain the best results on the easiest path.
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