Pediatric Dentistry

The AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) recommends that children visit a dental office at the age of 1 year, or whenever they get their first tooth. If you’re a new parent or are preparing to take your child to the dentist for the first time, you may not be sure what to expect. 

In this blog from Enamel Dentistry, we’ll discuss what will happen at your child’s first dental appointment, and how to prepare them for their first visit to our office.

Your Infant’s First Appointment At The Dentist

Very young children (1-2 years old) will get a lap exam at Enamel Dentistry. You will sit on the dentist’s chair and hold your child in your lap, and your dentist will examine their mouth, clean their gums and teeth gently, and answer any questions you may have about their oral health and development. This is a great time to ask your dentist questions about teething, oral hygiene for infants and toddlers, and other such topics. 

First Appointments For Older Children – What To Expect 

Kids who are between 2-3 years old and have most or all of their baby teeth will get a comprehensive oral exam and teeth cleaning, just like an adult. A dental hygienist at Enamel Dentistry will clean plaque away from their teeth, buff and polish their teeth, and floss to remove any remaining food particles. 

Then, your child’s dentist will examine their mouth and look for any signs of tooth decay, developmental issues, and more. X-rays may be recommended if we deem them to be necessary and you approve them. 

Tips For Preparing Kids For Dental Appointments

Not sure how to get your child ready for their first dental appointment? Here are a few suggestions and tips from Enamel Dentistry

• Get an early morning appointment – A well-rested child is more likely to behave and won’t be as cranky or fussy, so we highly recommend early morning appointments for first-time visitors to Enamel Dentistry.
  
• Maintain a good attitude – Your children can sense your emotions, even at a very young age. If you’re tense, nervous, or anxious about their appointment, they’ll notice. And they’ll be more likely to feel the same way. Do your best to remain positive.
  
• Use positive language – Don’t use negative terms like “shot” “hurt” “needle” or other threatening words that may make your child feel nervous. Use positive language to describe your child’s visit so that they don’t get nervous or anxious.
  
• Teach your kids more about dentistry – Teaching kids about dentistry can help them learn more about why it’s important, and can help with anxiety. Check out a few children’s books on dentistry, or watch some YouTube videos together so that they can learn about the basics.
  
• Explore sedation options – We offer sedation options such as nitrous sedation, which is appropriate for kids of all ages, and can be very useful for kids who are nervous about a procedure like a filling or a dental crown.

Come To Enamel Dentistry – Child-Friendly Dentistry For Kids Of All Ages! ‍

If you need to find a family dentist in Austin for your kids, Enamel Dentistry is the best choice. With our team of experienced dentists and staff, we serve children of all ages with professional, caring, and patient-focused dental treatment. Contact us online to learn more and get started.

If you don’t have any pain or sensitivity in your teeth, you may think it’s unecessary to visit the dentist. We’re sorry to break it to you, but that’s not the case! You’d be surprised at how often patients need a filling, root canal, or other procedure to address an issue they didn’t even know was there.

Regular Visits to the Dentist: It’s All About Prevention

Just like visits to your primary care doctor for annual exams, regular visits to the dentist are all about preventive care. Routine exams allow us to be proactive with your dental health and address minor issues before they have the chance to become a more serious—and expensive—problem. In some cases, addressing a cavity early on could actually save your tooth! And we all want to have happy, healthy, natural smiles, right?

If you wait to go to the dentist until you’re having pain, chances are the damage to your tooth will be greater than if you had been keeping up with your regular check-ups. Tooth decay and gum disease aren’t necessarily painful at first, and if we can treat them early, you won’t have to worry about more invasive or costly procedures in the future. 

For example, a cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by bacteria that eats away at the enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth. Patients rarely feel pain from cavities until they get worse, and the hole makes its way down to the tooth’s nerve. When this nerve is exposed, it’s painful—and it means you’ll need a root canal to save the tooth. However, if we detect the cavity early on, all you’ll need is a simple filling.

Dental Anxiety & Cost: Two Reasons Patients Put Off Dental Care

Think back to how dentists have been portrayed in the media (Little Shop of Horrors, anyone?). Often, dental care has been portrayed as scary or painful. The good news is that modern dentistry has come a long way, even within the last 10 years. Beyond providing excellent care for your teeth and gums, our primary focus is on your comfort. 

It may sound strange, but patients often have dental anxiety because they haven’t visited the dentist enough—so they’re not sure exactly what to expect. Or, they may need more extensive procedures because their visits have been far and few between. The more often you visit us, the more comfortable you’ll be with the whole experience; we’ll also be able to be more proactive with your oral health. We understand that dental anxiety can be a real roadblock to dental care, which is why we offer three levels of dental sedation to help you have stress-free visits. If you have dental anxiety, don’t hesitate to let us know! 

Dental anxiety is a common reason why many people put off going to the dentist. Another reason? The cost. Here’s the thing to keep in mind: if you stick to a regular schedule for your dental exams, and practice good oral hygiene, you’re far less likely to need more invasive (and costly) procedures. Even better, the cost of visiting the dentist will be much more predictable! Waiting until you need more intensive treatment may also make it difficult to afford the care you need. 

Schedule an Exam at Enamel Dentistry Today!

Hopefully, this has given you a better understanding of why regular exams and teeth cleanings are so important—even if your teeth or gums feel perfectly fine. We want to help you keep them pain-free and prevent the need for more invasive and expensive procedures. If you’ve been putting off your dental care, don’t wait! Schedule an appointment with us today at one of our convenient locations. When you arrive, you’ll be given a comfort menu filled with amenities that will make you feel right at home. Sit back, relax, and let our team take care of you!

Dental emergencies can cause a lot of pain and discomfort; they can even potentially lead to long-term complications. But how do you define a dental emergency? When should you rush to the dentist, and when it is reasonable to wait until your next scheduled appointment? 

For your health and comfort, it’s important to understand the difference between an urgent issue that should be seen right away, and a non-urgent dental concern that can wait. Here are some tips to help you recognize when you need immediate attention. 

[Breakout section in its own block: If you’re having a dental emergency, we’re here to help. Call or visit your closest Enamel Dentistry location or contact us after hours at (512) 710-1045.]

Identifying Urgent Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies are surprisingly common; according to American Family Physician, approximately 22% of Americans reported having oral pain within the past 6 months. 

However, not every dental concern demands urgent attention. We consider a dental emergency to be any issue that needs immediate treatment to stop bleeding and pain, save a tooth, or clear up an infection. Here are some examples of common dental emergencies that should be seen right away:

• Persistent or severe toothaches
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Swollen mouth or jaw
• Exposed nerves
• Knocked-out or partially dislodged tooth 
• Loose teeth
• Dental infections 
• Abscesses

If you’re having trouble deciding whether your concern would be considered a dental emergency, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the pain severe?
• Are you experiencing a fair amount of bleeding?
• Did you lose a tooth?
• Are your teeth loose?
• Are you having difficulty speaking or eating due to the issue? 
• Is there significant swelling in your face, jaw, or around the affected area? 
• Have you noticed any unusual discharge or pus around your gums or teeth? 
• Have you sustained a recent injury to your mouth or face? 
• Are you feeling generally unwell or experiencing fever along with the dental problem? 
• Have you recently undergone dental surgery or treatment that could be related to the current issue?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you should receive emergency attention. If you're still uncertain about the severity of a dental situation, give us a call or stop by the office, and we can provide guidance on which steps to take next. 

Examples of Non-Urgent Dental Concerns

Non-urgent dental concerns should still be dealt with as soon as possible, but they don’t necessarily require immediate treatment; they can generally be seen the next day during normal office hours. Some examples of non-urgent dental emergencies include:

• Dull toothaches
• A lost filling, crown, or bridge
• Food lodged between the teeth 
• Broken or cracked teeth without severe pain
• Chipped teeth 
• Mild gum discomfort

Why is it Important to Get Prompt Treatment for Dental Emergencies?

Addressing dental emergencies promptly is important for several reasons. Many dental emergencies are painful; seeking immediate treatment helps us alleviate your pain as soon as possible and prevent it from getting worse. 

Beyond pain relief, receiving immediate care is essential for preserving your overall oral health. Left unaddressed for too long, some issues can lead to further damage, potential complications, or infections. In instances where a tooth is knocked out or dislodged, immediate treatment significantly increases the chances of successfully saving it. 

At Enamel Dentistry, your oral health and comfort are our top priorities. Whether you have a dental emergency or a non-urgent concern, our experienced dentists are committed to providing high-quality dental care in any situation.