Q: When should my child’s first dental visit be?
A: We recommend that your child’s first dental visit be between the ages of 1-2, when he/she has around eight teeth.

Q: What will happen at my child’s first dental visit?
A: On your child’s first dental visit, you will fill out new patient paperwork. This paperwork includes a health history form, a behavior technique consent and a HIPAA (privacy policy) form. Once paperwork is complete, your child’s chart will go to the clinical area. Dependent on age, one of our dental assistants or our hygienist will then call your child to the clinical area and attempt X-rays. Once X-rays are complete, you will be called to the clinical area to be present while Dr. Brandt does a comprehensive exam. If your child does not need additional treatment and dependent on our hygienist’s schedule, your child may be able to have a cleaning and fluoride treatment. Your child will then proceed to the check-out area, where one of our financial/scheduling coordinators will give you an estimate for your child’s treatment or set up an appointment for your child’s next routine visit.

Q: At what age do you start taking radiographs (X-rays)?
A: We normally start taking X-rays at the age of 3. However, depending on your child’s temperament, we may be able to take them earlier or we may attempt to take them later.

Q: Does my child need a fluoride supplement?
A: The tap water in the Killeen area has fluoride already present. If your child does not drink tap water and only drinks bottled water, we recommend that you discuss this at your child’s visit with Dr. Brandt.

Q: What causes tooth decay (cavities)?
A: Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacteria called plaque. Plaque bacteria use sugar and starch in food as a source of energy. The bacteria convert the sugar and starch into harmful acids that attack tooth enamel for as long as 20 minutes or more. Repeated attacks may cause the enamel to break down, resulting in cavities.

Q: What types of food/drinks should my child avoid in order to prevent cavities?
A: Foods high in sugar, such as candy, cookies, ice cream, gummy snacks (fruit gushers, fruit roll-ups, etc.) should be avoided. Drinks that are high in sugar, such as juice (even natural juice), Capri-Suns, Gatorade, chocolate and strawberry milk and soda should be avoided. The above listed food/drinks may still be enjoyed at mealtimes, but not in between.

Q: What types of snacks/drinks will not cause cavities?
A: Any snack/drink that contains an artificial sweetener will not cause cavities. Sugar-free candy, sugar-free cookies and sugar-free ice cream are all made with an artificial sweetener. Drinks that are made with an artificial sweetener include diet soda, Crystal Light and Sugar-free Kool-Aid. Nestle Quik makes a sugar-free chocolate milk mix.

Q: What are sealants and what is their purpose?
A: A sealant is a plastic material that is applied to the chewing surface of the permanent molars. The plastic resin bonds to the depressions and grooves (pits and fissures) of the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids, therefore, preventing dental cavities. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and usually last several years before reapplication is needed.

Q: My child grinds his/her teeth, what can be done?
A: Bruxism (grinding of teeth) is common in young children under the age of 6. Baby teeth are flat and slide easily across one another and, therefore, children tend to slide their teeth, which becomes a habit. The elasticity of the jaw joint enables the child to move their jaws more freely than an adult can. As joint matures and permanent teeth erupt, grinding tends to decline.

Q: My child sucks his/her thumb, what can be done?
A: Depending on the age of your child, there are several approaches that can be taken. Normally, you must wait until the child matures enough to understand that sucking their thumb is an inappropriate behavior. At the age of 4, if the habit is not stopped, an appliance can be inserted to stop the habit and correct any narrowing of the jaw that may have occurred due to the thumb habit.

Q: When will my child get his/her first tooth?
A: The first tooth (lower central incisor) normally erupts around 6-10 months.

Q: When will my child loose his/her first tooth?
A: The first tooth (usually the lower central incisor) that is lost is normally between the ages of 6-7.

Q: How often should my child brush his/her teeth?
A: We recommend that you supervise your child’s brushing until the age of 10. Brushing should be done at least twice daily (morning and night). Flossing should be done once daily and should be started when permanent teeth begin erupting.