Frequently asked questions
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child's first dental visit by age 1 or when the first tooth appears, whichever comes first. This first visit is brief (typically 15-20 minutes) and focused on parental education, risk assessment, and gentle exposure to the dental office — not treatment. Starting early dramatically reduces the likelihood of dental anxiety later in life.
Is Glisten Dental Studio a pediatric dental office?
We're general dentists with significant experience treating children — not specialty pediatric dentists. Pediatric dentistry is a recognized specialty requiring 2-3 additional years of residency training after dental school. For routine children's dentistry (cleanings, sealants, fillings, first visits, early orthodontic screening), general dentists like our team at Glisten are fully qualified. For complex cases requiring general anesthesia, severe special needs, or very young children needing significant treatment, we refer to a board-certified pediatric specialist.
Why should I treat cavities in my child's baby teeth if they'll fall out anyway?
Primary teeth (baby teeth) serve several important functions that make treating their cavities clinically important. They hold space for permanent teeth (premature loss causes crowding of adult teeth). They're essential for proper speech development, chewing, and nutrition. Untreated cavities in primary teeth cause pain and can progress to infection affecting the developing permanent tooth underneath. We treat primary tooth cavities — we don't wait for the tooth to fall out.
Do you use amalgam (silver) fillings for children?
No. At Glisten Dental Studio, we use only composite (tooth-colored) fillings for children. While amalgam remains FDA-approved and clinically effective, parental preference for non-metal options, along with the esthetic benefits of composite for visible teeth, makes composite our standard. We've placed thousands of composite pediatric fillings with excellent long-term outcomes.
How do you handle a scared child during a dental visit?
We go slowly, narrate everything happening at the child's level, use age-appropriate language ('counting your teeth' not 'performing an occlusal evaluation'), and never force treatment. For children with significant anxiety, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a safe, effective option — kids breathe a sweet-smelling gas, relax, and return to alert state within minutes of it being turned off. Some children need multiple acclimation visits before they're ready for a cleaning, and that's completely fine. Building trust over time prevents lifetime dental anxiety.
When should my child get dental sealants?
Dental sealants typically go on permanent molars as they erupt — first permanent molars around ages 6-7, second permanent molars around ages 11-13. Sealants are a thin protective coating that prevents bacteria from settling in the deep grooves of the chewing surface where cavities most commonly form in children. Most dental insurance covers 100% of sealants for children under 14 on permanent molars. The procedure is painless, takes 5-10 minutes per tooth, and has no drilling or anesthesia.
When should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an initial orthodontic screening at age 7 — not because most kids need braces at that age, but because early evaluation identifies the small percentage of cases where intervention between ages 7-10 (sometimes called Phase 1 treatment) significantly improves outcomes and reduces the complexity of later Phase 2 treatment. For most children, we monitor orthodontic development at routine exams and recommend an orthodontic consultation when the time is right. For straightforward teen cases, we also offer Invisalign Teen in our own office.
How often do children need dental X-rays?
X-ray frequency depends on the child's individual risk assessment — mainly their cavity history, oral hygiene quality, diet patterns, and fluoride exposure. Low-risk children may only need bitewing X-rays every 12-24 months. Higher-risk children (active cavities, poor hygiene, heavy juice/soda consumption) may need bitewings every 6-12 months. We use digital X-rays that deliver about 90% less radiation than traditional film X-rays — a full pediatric bitewing series is equivalent to just a few hours of normal background radiation.