Frequently Asked Questions

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises parents to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jordan Jones as soon as their child’s first tooth appears, or at the latest, by your child’s first birthday. It’s important to start dental care early in order to prevent any potential problems and ensure that your child has a healthy smile. We begin seeing patients when their first tooth erupts.

Dr. Jones is a highly trained pediatric dentist and orthodontist who has completed specialized education and training in the field. He’s skilled in treating children’s dental needs specifically and has a deep understanding of childhood development and behavior. At Esteem Dental, we strive to create a welcoming and comfortable environment for our young patients. Our staff is friendly and our office is designed with children in mind to ensure every visit is comfortable, fun, and entertaining!

During your first visit to Esteem Dental, we will take the time to get to know your child and provide you with some basic information about dental care. Dr. Jones will assess the health and placement of your child’s teeth, as well as look for any potential issues with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may perform a cleaning and thorough oral exam. We’re happy to answer any questions you have about caring for your child’s teeth as they develop and will provide you with materials containing helpful tips.

To help your kiddo have a positive experience during their first visit with us, it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and avoid making negative comments. You can show your child pictures of the office and staff on the website and explain that Dr. Jones is there to help keep their teeth and gums healthy. Remember that the dental team is trained to handle any fears or anxiety your child may have and will do their best to make them feel comfortable during treatment.

We generally recommend scheduling dental checkups every six months. However, the frequency of visits may be increased depending on the specific oral health needs of your child.

Primary teeth are an important part of your child’s development and overall health. These teeth help with speaking, smiling, and chewing and also hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. If a child loses a primary tooth prematurely due to decay or injury, it can cause nearby teeth to shift into the empty space, leading to misaligned permanent teeth. Additionally, the health of a child’s teeth and gums can have an impact on their overall health and well-being. It’s important to take care of primary teeth to ensure proper development and oral health.

We recommend caring for your little one’s oral health before their first tooth even appears. After feeding, you can clean their gums with a soft, damp washcloth. Once the first tooth emerges, you can begin using a small toothbrush with soft bristles specifically designed for infants, which can usually be found at a drugstore. By establishing good oral hygiene habits early on, you can help protect your baby’s teeth and gums and set them up for a lifetime of good oral health.

When your child has a few teeth, you can begin using toothpaste on the toothbrush during their daily dental hygiene routine. Begin by only using a small amount of toothpaste, especially for young children under the age of two. For these children, it’s recommended to use toothpaste without fluoride, as too much fluoride can be harmful. It’s also important to encourage your child to rinse and spit out the toothpaste after brushing, as swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to become discolored. As your child grows and becomes more independent, they will eventually be ready to take on the responsibility of brushing their teeth on their own, usually around the age of six or seven. In the meantime, we encourage parents to continue brushing their teeth for them until they can do so effectively.

Cavities are caused by bacteria that naturally live in the mouth. When these bacteria come into contact with sugar from food that is left on the teeth, they produce acid. The acid attacks the enamel on the surface of the teeth, causing holes or cavities to form. The practice of good oral hygiene and the limit of sugary foods can help prevent the development of cavities.

To help protect your child’s teeth and keep them healthy, establish a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth. Our team may also recommend a fluoride supplement to strengthen the enamel and make it more resistant to decay. It’s also important to limit sugary foods and drinks, snack less frequently, and maintain a healthy diet. Regular dental checkups and cleanings are also crucial for monitoring the health of your child’s teeth and providing necessary treatment.

Sealants are a protective coating that can be applied to the teeth to help prevent the development of cavities, particularly in the molars which are harder to reach when brushing. Sealants cover the pits and fissures on the surface of the teeth, which are more prone to collecting plaque and can be difficult to clean thoroughly. They provide an extra layer of protection against decay and are a safe and effective way to help your child maintain good oral health. With that being said, we recommend this extra layer of protection to help keep your child’s mouth healthy and shining!

For children who are active in sports, it’s recommended to use a mouthguard to protect the teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums from injury. Mouthguards can be especially important in sports that involve contact or collisions. If your child plays sports such as baseball or soccer, it may be a good idea to consider having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to provide the best possible protection. Our office can provide more information on mouthguard options and assist with the fitting process.

It’s common for young children to have a sucking habit, such as thumb sucking or finger sucking, which usually subsides on its own by the age of four. In most cases, this habit does not cause any permanent damage to the teeth. However, if your child continues to suck their thumb or fingers aggressively after their permanent teeth have come in, let us know and schedule an appointment to assess whether the habit may be causing any dental problems. Early intervention can help prevent any potential issues from worsening.

Dental X-rays may be recommended for children around the age of two or three. The first set of X-rays typically includes simple images of the front upper and lower teeth to help familiarize your child with the process. Once the back teeth in the mouth are touching each other, we generally recommend having regular X-rays taken at least once a year. These X-rays can help us monitor the health of your child’s teeth and jaw and ensure that their teeth are properly aligned as they begin to emerge. If your child is at higher risk for dental problems, it may be necessary to have X-rays taken at an earlier age.

Cost for dental treatments can vary from person to person depending on the treatment that you may need. When we recommend a specific treatment to you, we will discuss pricing on the treatment plan and explain the different financing options that fit your needs. We offer 3rd party financing and insurance options to fit most everyone’s financial needs.

Our office gladly accepts walk-ins and emergency cases. Dental emergencies are of course unexpected and sometimes can be terrifying depending on the type of dental emergency. We treat emergencies from a persistent toothache to knocked-out tooth! If you are experiencing anything aside from a dental emergency make sure to contact 911 to seek medical treatment.

We recommend coming in for your cleanings every six-months. In a perfect world, everyone would brush and floss twice a day. Overtime, plaque builds up and this sticky like bacterial film can solidify and turn into calculus or tartar. This cement-like substance is removed by the hygienist at your regular cleaning visits and prevents future complications and periodontal disease. This helps to not only keep your mouth healthy and clean, but it also allows potential problems to be found and diagnosed earlier.

We recommend sensitivity toothpaste, which contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate are very effective in treating sensitive teeth. After a few weeks of use, you may notice a decrease in sensitivity. Highly acidic foods such as oranges, grapefruits and lemons, as well as tea and soda can increase tooth sensitivity, and work against toothpaste sensitivity. If you do not get relief by brushing gently and using desensitizing toothpaste, schedule an appointment with us so we can check-up on your oral health.