Trusted total care for the youngest members of your family!
FAQs about children’s dentistry
At the dental office of Stephen Huber, DDS, we offer comprehensive care for the entire family. Since we have so many services and capabilities under our roof in Leawood, Kansas, all members of your family can be treated here. We see children as young as 18 to 24 months of age. On the opposite end of the age spectrum, we see the grandparents and great-grandparents of these children. We have the services, expertise, and experience to safely and appropriately care for the needs of pediatric patients, seniors, and everyone in between!
My baby doesn’t have any teeth yet. Should we still visit the dentist?
The above age range is just a general guide for the first visit. But if you have any concerns about how their teeth are developing, we encourage you to contact us right away to schedule an appointment. We want to stay ahead of problems, not respond to them. And we can accomplish this with proactive visits and care.
When do the permanent teeth come in?
Children begin losing their teeth around the age of six. At this point, the permanent teeth start to break through. Usually, the front teeth are the first visible in the smile. The process continues for the other teeth until around 12 or 13.
What about “wisdom teeth”?
Wisdom teeth don’t start to break through the gums until very late, usually around one’s late teens or early 20s, a phase when your child is transitioning to adulthood and “gaining wisdom.” They are often associated with complications, so they are usually removed. By the time they erupt, there is little room in the mouth for them. These teeth become trapped in the jawbone (a painful condition) and can even threaten neighboring teeth and structures.
If the baby’s teeth will fall out anyway, why does it matter how we care for them?
Just because they are temporary does not mean they are unimportant. These teeth hold space for the future eruption of the permanent teeth. If a baby’s tooth decays or is removed prematurely, it can lead to a loss of the necessary space for permanent teeth to grow in. Then, the space can only be regained through orthodontic treatment. Also, infected baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to develop improperly. These teeth may be pitted, stained, and breakage-prone.
How can I help to keep my child’s teeth healthy?
Especially early on, be sure to monitor how your children are brushing their teeth. Set a good example. Demonstrate and use consistently good and diligent brushing and flossing techniques. It’s generally advised that when children can dress themselves and tie their own shoes, they are ready to brush without supervision. Of course, by keeping check-ups at intervals, as recommended by Dr. Huber, we can provide specific, tooth-friendly tips for your child.
It’s also good to monitor for potentially harmful behaviors, such as prolonged thumb-sucking. If this habit persists past the age of four, normal bone growth can be impeded, and the teeth may have moderate to severe movement. During these routine appointments, we are also happy to discuss professional preventative services, such as custom-fit sports mouthguards to protect your student-athletes smiles.
Schedule your child’s appointment at the office of Stephen Huber, DDS. Call our Leawood, KS team at (913) 349-9795 today.
