When should I bring my child in for their first appointment?

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend bringing your child for the first dental visit by their first birthday.  However, sometimes there can be a concern at an even younger age. We are happy to see children at any age.

At what age should I expect my child to start losing teeth?

The average age children start to lose their primary, or baby teeth, is between the ages of 6 and 7. You can expect them to lose 8 teeth during this time. Between the ages of 10 and 12, you can expect your child to lose the 12 remaining primary teeth.

Why is important to treat primary/baby teeth?

The most common cause of treatment on primary teeth is due to dental caries, or cavities. Our hope is that your child may never have a cavity. However, if they do, and it is left untreated, it will lead to pain and infection, which can lead to difficulty eating and even speaking properly.

Dental Insurance Coverage

Our office is committed to helping you maximize your insurance benefits. We accept most insurance plans. Because insurance policies vary, we can only estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee coverage due to the complexities of insurance contracts. Your estimated patient portion must be paid at the time of service. As a service to our patients, we will bill insurance companies for services and allow them 45 days to render payment. After 60 days, you are responsible for the entire balance, paid-in-full. If you have any questions, our courteous staff is always available to answer them.

What do I do in case of a dental emergency?

Call our office as soon as possible at 423-610-0556, 24 hours a day.

Helpful tips during a dental emergency:

Broken Tooth

Rinse the area with warm water. Put a cold compress over the facial area of the injury. Recover any broken tooth fragments. Call us at 423-610-0556 to get immediate dental attention.

Bleeding After a Baby Tooth Falls Out

Fold a piece of gauze and place it (tightly) over the bleeding area. Bite down on the gauze for 15 minutes; if bleeding continues, call us to see a dentist.

Knocked Out Permanent Tooth

Recover the tooth, making sure to hold it by the crown (top) and not the root end. Rinse, but do not clean or handle the tooth more than necessary. Reinsert the tooth in the socket and hold it in place using a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be reinserted, carry it in a cup containing milk or water. Because time is essential, call us to see a dentist immediately.