Your children go to school and you go to work. You’re busy preparing dinner and they’re the ones that get to sit down and enjoy it. Parents and children do things differently, but does it makes perfect sense that they should see different dentists? Here are a few reasons why parents may prefer to send their child to a pediatric dentist vs. a dentist that mostly specializes in adults.

Kids Dentist vs. General Dentist

• Special Training For Children: Pediatric dentists have 2-3 years additional training immediately following dental school. This specialized schooling focuses on child psychology and early development of teeth and jaws. They know what to look for and can spot abnormalities in your child’s dental development quickly.
• Patients: General dentists treat patients of all ages, while pediatric dentists normally focus and specialize in children.
• Experience: Because pediatric dentists work almost exclusively with younger patients, they’re often more skilled at interacting with infants and kids with special needs. They’re also able to provide advice in the early development of children and can reinforce breaking bad habits like thumb sucking and pacifier use.

Here’s the good news, you don’t need to see 2 different dentists.

• …we treat children AND adults. Pediatric dental offices are designed with kids in mind but our dental clinic services adults too.
• …we are a family dentist so that means you and your kids can both see the same dentist which is super convenient to parents.

Wait a sec, I thought Pediatric Dental offices only dealt with children…

Normally they do, but our dental clinic is a little different. All of our dentists are qualified and specially trained to offer dental services to children of all ages. They can provide dental care for infants and special needs children as well, but in addition – we also treat adult patients as well. So if Dad needs a cleaning and Junior needs a cavity filled, no big deal – you can rest assured that both will receive outstanding dental care under one roof.

Still debating on a Kids Dentist vs a General Dentist?

Ask your child’s pediatrician for recommendations and they’ll tell you the same. Your child will feel immediately at ease with our kid-friendly staff. Our dental offices are located in Burke, Woodbridge, and Dale City. We deal with more major insurance providers and offer payment plans as well.

When scheduling a dentist visit for your child, many times your child might just need a checkup and cleaning. Occassionally, a thorough examination will involve performing a dental xray of your child’s teeth. Dentist’s use -rays for the purposes of taking images of the teeth and bones. The entire procedure is normal for adults but can seem a little scary to small children and even older kids. We wrote this article to educate parents that dental xrays performed in a dentist office are safe and provide valuable information to the dentist about the status of your child’s teeth.

X-Rays Are An Important Part Of Your Child’s Dental Health

An x-ray can appear to be intimidating and scary, especially for a child. It’s important to consider that x-rays are an integral part of dental health, and occassionally a necessary component of your child’s dental examination. We use dental x-rays to take pictures of the gums, bones, and teeth. X-rays are necessary to allow us to see teeth in a way that we can’t merely with a simple visual inspection.

What Will My Child’s Dental X-Ray’s Show?

The X-Ray enables us to see hidden cavities, check on the overall status of gum health, and ensure that your child’s jaws and teeth are developing normal. It’s for this very reason that dental xrays are such an important part of early identifying dental health issues. Childhood is an important time in the development of a child’s teeth, bones, and gums, and quite often sets the stage for their dental health as adults. This is why it’s so important that parent’s have a Pediatric Dentist detect and fix any issues as soon as they arise.

What Dental X-Rays Are And How They Work

How Safe Are My Child’s Dental Xrays?

Rest assured – our office takes every precaution to ensure that your child’s dental x-ray is 100% safe and comfortable. Here at our Burke Pediatric Dentist office, we perform digital x-rays, which are safer and faster than traditional film x-rays. The reason digital dental xrays are safer are because they use less radiation than traditional film xrays and provide computer images that can be easily edited and saved.

Is it normal to feel nervous about my child’s dental x-ray?

It’s completely normal for parents to be concerned with their child’s safety, especially during a procedure like an x-ray. Our dental x-rays are entirely safe and expose your child to 90% less radiation than a traditional film xray. Our Pediatric Dental Hygienist will also fit your child with a lead apron during their imaging to protect their body from any radiation at all. Taking the x-rays does not take long, and we make sure your child is comfortable and feels safe.

Digital X-rays Vs. Traditional Film X-rays

Traditional x-rays use film to capture images of the teeth, and have the same shortcomings as film cameras. Images takes longer to develop, they aren’t always very high-quality, and must be manually be scanned into a computer. Digital x-rays have all the high-tech benefits of using a digital camera. They instantly produce high-resolution digital pictures of your child’s teeth that we can edit and manipulate using our computer software. The images are instantly available on the screen, and we can zoom in or alter the exposure to show us even the smallest problem. Another additional bonus is that we can easily save the images to your electronic patient file. With digital technology, there’s no longer any risk of losing your child’s dental records.

When your child comes in for their digital x-ray, we’ll take a few moments to explain everything that we’re doing in kid-friendly terms. Your child may even enjoy seeing the pictures of their teeth displayed up on the screen!

It’s normal for parents to have questions for their child’s dentist. An adult can ask the dentist important questions during their dental examination but a child doesn’t necessarily have those abilities to communicate during their visit. Frequently the questions parents ask pediatric dentists the most have to do with oral hygiene, how to prevent cavities, or whether it’s time for braces.

It’s Normal For Parents To Ask The Dentist Questions

Communication between doctor and patient is vital. As your child’s care provider it’s important that you know the right questions to ask during their dental exam. Over the years we’ve answered countless questions. We’ve comprised a list of the most frequently asked questions our Pediatric Dental Office has been asked.

Top Questions Pediatric Dentists Get Asked

1. When should my child first see a dentist? This is probably the most popular question pediatric dentists get asked on a day-to-day basis. The most common time to bring a child for their first dental visit is when their first tooth erupts. It’s important to create regular dental habits as early as possible.
2. What should I expect from my child’s first dental visit? Typically, on your child’s first visit to the dentist, the dentist will perform a brief examination of the teeth, gums, jaws, and then apply a fluoride varnish. The dentist will also work on getting your child to feel safe & comfortable sitting in the dentist’s chair.
3. Do baby teeth matter if they’re only going to fall out anyway? This question we hear alot. What’s the reason for putting so much effort into taking care of baby teeth when they’re only going to fall out? Baby teeth matter just as much as adult teeth because they pave the way for how teeth will form in adulthood. How you care for your child’s baby teeth can have a long-lasting impact on their adult teeth.
4. Should my child get braces? It seems like many children these days have braces, and if yours doesn’t, you’re probably wondering whether or not there is some sort of requirement. Luckily enough, it’s not required that you get braces for your child. However, if you’re concerned that their teeth aren’t growing in correctly, it might be time for an orthodontic consultation.
5. Should you brush your child’s teeth? In short, yes! As explained in the previous question, baby teeth are important and taking care of them encourages good dental habits in your child’s life that will last a lifetime.
6. Are x-rays safe for my child? X-rays are a routine part of dental visits for adults, but with exposing a child to radiation, this makes it a valid question a completely normal concern for parents. Rest assured, the risks associated with this very small amount of radiation are non-existent. Our office uses digital xrays which are safer than traditional xrays.
7. How do you change your child’s diet to conform to good oral health? The way that we eat greatly impacts our oral health, and the same holds true for our children. To encourage the right dental habits, make certain your child eats a healthy, balanced diet. Limit their intake of sugary drinks and snacks, as these substances most commonly promote tooth decay.
8. Should you consider sedation dentistry for your child? Occasionally children are very anxious and terrified of going to the dentist. We’ve seen this kind of dental phobia or anxiety, even many adults suffer from it. Sedation dentistry is an option to consider in order to calm your child’s nerves. Consult with your dentist first if you feel this may be a factor in your child’s care.
9. What should you do if your child has a toothache? Children rough house and play. If your child is school age, they’ll frequently get bumps and bruises, that don’t require seeing a doctor. However, if your child complains of a toothache, you should try to set up an appointment with a dentist as soon as possible. For pain management until you can see a dentist, give your child acetaminophen. You should also rinse the area with warm salt water.
10. How can parents prevent tooth decay? As parents, we all want what’s best for our children, so we understand that you want advice on the best way to take care of your child’s teeth. One of the best things you can do is to demonstrate regular, healthy dental habits, and promote the example setting the standard. And, off course, don’t forget to schedule regular dental appointments for cleanings and checkups.

For more answers to questions and topics about Children’s Dental Health & Pediatric Dentistry, visit our pediatric dentistry blog>.

Dental Sealants for Children

If you’ve been wondering whether you should get dental sealants for your child, the answer is emphatically – yes! Sealants are a fast and efficient method of protecting your child’s teeth. The applied sealant acts as a barrier to prevent cavities from forming on vulnerable areas of the tooth. A Pediatric Dentist will often dental sealant to the chewing surfaces of a child’s back teeth. The sealant will form a cover over the deep pits and grooves of the child’s teeth. Children with baby teeth as well as permanent adult teeth can benefit from having a dental sealant applied.

Brushing Can’t Reach Everything

Even if your child is practicing good brushing and flossing habits the toothbrush bristles cannot reach all the way into those deep pits and grooves to extract food and plaque. Sealants help protect these vulnerable areas where plaque and food settle in and form cavities.

How Are Dental Sealants Applied?

A dental sealants is easy for one of our pediatric dentists to apply. The dentist brushes the sealant onto the tooth enamel, where it quickly bonds to the tooth and hardens. This plastic sealant resin bonds onto the depressions and grooves (fissures and pits) of the teeth’s chewing surface. The sealant acts as a barrier and protects tooth enamel from plaque and acids.  During your regular dental visits, your pediatric dentist will check the condition of the sealants and reapply them when necessary.

The likelihood of developing fissure and pit decay begins early in life, so children and teenagers are prime candidates. Adults can benefit from sealants as well.

Are Sealants Safe For My Child?

They are 100% safe (unless your child has some sort of allergy). In regards to questions about BPA, the amount in dental sealants is less than 0.0001% which is less than touching a receipt or household dust.

How Long Do Sealants Last?

As long as the sealant remains intact, the tooth surface will be protected from decay. Sealants hold up well under the force of normal chewing and may last several years before a reapplication is needed.

Do Dental Sealants Hurt?

No, getting dental sealants doesn’t hurt for the patient. In fact, it’s a quick and painless process. Your child’s Pediatric dentist will clean and dry their teeth before placing an acidic gel on their teeth. This gel serves to roughen the tooth surface so that a strong bond may form between the teeth and the sealant. The dentist will then rinse off the gel n before applying the sealant onto the grooves of the teeth. Your dentist will then use a special blue light which hardens the sealant.

Are Dental Sealants Expensive?

They are inexpensive in comparison to other restorative procedures such as fixing a cavity, performing a root canal or putting on a crown. Many insurance companies cover sealant procedures as they are looked at as preventative treatment. They are a low cost alternative to costly dental treatments due to decay and will help better protect your child’s teeth from cavities.

Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics provides expert baby dental care for children of all ages, including newborns, infants, and toddlers. We’ve written this informative article on Baby Dental Care to educate new parents on their babies dental needs. We answer many questions new parents have concerning how to provide dental care for their baby.

How Do I Care For My Babies Teeth?

Caring for Baby’s Gums

You may begin caring for baby’s gums right away. In the beginning, the baby dental care you provide won’t involve a toothbrush and toothpaste yet. Instead, take the following steps:

• Use a soft, lightly moistened washcloth or hand towel to gently wipe your baby’s gums at least twice a day.
• Remember to especially wipe your baby’s gums after feedings and right before bedtime.

This will prevent bacteria from clinging to gums which can leave a sticky plaque behind that damages infant teeth as they come in.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

Brushing Baby’s Teeth

When your babies first teeth start to pop up, you can graduate to a toothbrush. Until that happens we recommend that you use one with a:

• large handle
• soft brush
• small head

Just wet the toothbrush at first. When you notice teeth begin to erupt, you should start using toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice). You can increase to pea-sized amounts of fluoride toothpaste when your child is around 3 years of age. Gently brush all around your babies teeth — front and back.

It’s recommend that you brush your baby’s teeth until they are old enough to hold the toothbrush. Continue to supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without help. That usually happens at around age 5 or 6.

The best form of baby dental care is to keep a vigilant lookout for signs of baby tooth decay — brown or white spots or pits on the teeth. If you notice any problems, take your child to a pediatric dentist for an exam.

When Should I Take My Baby To The Dentist?

Experts all agree that you should take your baby to the dentist by their 1st birthday and certainly before their 2nd birthday. The general rule of thumb is that when you notice teeth begin to erupt, your baby should see a dentist. Our Burke Pediatric Dentist office sees children of all ages from infant all the way through adolesence.

What To Do When Your Baby Starts Teething

These tips can help relieve your baby’s discomfort.

• Give your baby a cold teething ring or a cold cloth to chew or suck on.
• Rub your finger on your baby’s gums.
• Ask your Pediatrician if your baby can have infant acetaminophen (Tylenol). NOT aspirin.
• Ask your doctor before using teething gels or tablets.

Preventing Cavities In Baby Teeth

You should avoid giving your child fruit juices, sodas, or sugary drinks. Also avoid putting anything sweet — such as sugar or honey — on your baby’s pacifier. Sweet drinks — even milk — can settle on the teeth. This can lead to baby tooth decay — also known as “bottle rot”. Bacteria feed on the sugar from sweet drinks and produce acid, which attacks baby’s teeth.  Experts are also saying that you should avoid kissing your child on the lips until their teeth are formed.

Visit our offices:

• Burke Pediatric Dentist
• Woodbridge Pediatric Dentist

Parents never want to see their children suffering from dental pain or discomfort. When a pediatric dental emergency happens, parents may ask themselves, “Where can I find an emergency pediatric dentist near me?” Luckily, the help you need is just a phone call away to our children’s emergency dentist office located in Burke, VA.

Where to Find An Emergency Pediatric Dentist

If your child is experiencing a dental emergency, it’s critical that you find treatment as fast as possible. Delaying care can lead to unnecessary complications and may lead to a more extensive dental procedure. Our emergency pediatric dentists provide compassionate children’s dental care in a welcoming atmosphere. We realize that lots of children are anxious when visiting the dentist, so it’s our goal to make every child feel safe and comfortable during the treatment process. If you think that your child is suffering from dental pain or some type of dental emergency, please don’t hesitate to contact our emergency children’s dentist office and schedule treatment.

What Types of Children’s Emergency Dental Services Do You Provide?

Pediatric dentist emergency care encompasses any urgent dental services that immediately relieve a child’s dental pain. These emergency dental services can also repair structural damage to teeth or address immediate issues that could worsen if left untreated. Our skilled emergency pediatric dentists also offer restorations and pain management aftercare, if required. Please call our office if your child requires the following services:

• Treatment for dental pain & severe tooth aches
• Emergency tooth extraction
• Emergency repair of chipped, fractured, or avulsed teeth
• Pain management for wisdom teeth pain
• Repair of missing tooth fillings or crowns
• Orthodontic pain caused by loose brackets or wires in braces
• Treatment for dental infections

When Should I Call For Pediatric Dentist Emergency Care?

I’m not certain if my child’s symptoms require pediatric dental emergency care. When should I look for emergency pediatric dentists?

If your child is has any of the following conditions or symptoms, they may require urgent dental care. We recommend that you get in touch with our emergency dental office if you notice any of the following.

• Broken or Fractured Teeth
• Knocked-Out (Avulsed) Teeth
• Severe Toothache Pain and Pressure
• Tooth Sensitivity
• Dental Decay (Cavities)
• Dental Abscess
• Lost and Loose Fillings
• Orthodontic Pain and Injuries
• Worn Tooth Enamel

What To Do For Your Child In A Dental Emergency

I think my child’s dental health problem is serious. Should I search for emergency pediatric dentists or visit an area hospital?

At our pediatric emergency dentist office, we are focused on helping your child achieve optimal dental health. However, some dental emergencies require more intensive treatment than a pediatric dentist emergency care office can offer. Call 911 or visit your local hospital if your child experiences any of the following:

• Severe swelling around the face and gums
• Uncontrollable oral bleeding
• A sudden, painful injury to the teeth, jaw, face, or head

How Much Does a Visit to a Pediatric Emergency Dentist Office Cost?

One of the most common questions we get asked is, “What is the cost when visiting an emergency pediatric dentist?” Your charges will depend on what treatments are needed to alleviate your child’s symptoms, and what your insurance policy covers. At our dental group, we understand that unplanned emergency dental procedure can put a strain on your family’s finances. Even without insurance, the cost of children’s emergency dental care can be affordable with our dental financing options. Please give our children’s emergency dentist office a call for more details about pricing and payment.

Our Burke Pediatric Dentists Give a Brief Explaination of The Services We Provide

A Pediatric dentist or Pedodontist treats infants and children throughout adolescence. There are nine fields of dental specialties and Pediatric Dentistry is one of them. Dentists in this field provide a wide range of treatments.

Pediatric Dentists undertake an additional two or three years of child-specific training after fulfilling dental school requirement. They also train in child psychology in addition to receiving dental training, which enables them to better communicate with children.

Should My Child See a Pediatric Dentist?

Parents should take their child to see a pediatric dentist for the following reasons:

1. So they may ask the dentist questions about new or ongoing oral health issues with their child.
2. To find out whether the child is at risk for developing cavities.
3. To get information about stopping unhealthy orabl habits (thumb sucking).
4. For preventative treatments (fluorides and sealants).
5. In order to receive reports about how the child’s teeth and jaws are growing and developing.

Random Fun Dental Fact:

Tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the human body; because it’s so durable, healthy tooth enamel protects teeth from cavity-causing oral bacteria. The enamel in your teeth is actually stronger than steel, but is much more brittle.

How Our Burke Pediatric Dental Office Is Different Than Other Dental Offices

Golden Pediatric Dentistry Office in Burke, VA is colorful, fun, and child-friendly. We feel that it is essential that your child feel comfortable, safe, and trusts their dentist from the outset. Our pediatric dentists focuses on several different forms of oral care.

What’s The Difference Between a Pediatric Dentist and a Regular Dentist?

Diagnosis & Examinations
Dental Exams, X-rays, and computer imaging allow our pediatric dentists to predict and correct future oral problems in your child. Examples include overbites, underbites, teeth grinding, and jaw irregularities. In some cases, it’s best to correct these issues early in childhood. Our Burke Pediatric Dental office provides expert diagnosis and preventitive treatment.

Dental Treatment
In addition to preventative treatments (fluoride and sealant applications), a Pediatric Dentist also performs pulp therapy and treats oral trauma. If primary teeth are lost too soon, a pedodontist will provide space maintainers to ensure that your childs teeth do not become misaligned.

Oral Education
Teaching good oral hygiene is a major part of any pediatric dentist’s duties. Not only can your child’s dentist help him or her understand the importance of daily oral care, but will provide parents with information on which tooth paste to use, proper diet, how to stop thumb-sucking, and a wide range of related topics.

Other Treatments
Pediatric dentists treat a range of oral health issues in children. Other common services Pediatric Dentists provide are: filling cavities, removing teeth, fixing broken teeth and treating sensitive teeth. They administer anesthetics for certain procedures and are able to write prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medications. A Pediatric Dentist can also identify instances in which orthodontic or surgical work is necessary or advisable. For instance, pediatric dentists identify when teeth need to be straightened and refer patients for orthodontics, another service we offer under the same roof at Golden Pediatrid Dentistry & Orthodontics.

Reports & Updates
Pediatric dentists are experts about the latest advances in the field of child dentistry. For example, Xylitol (a popular natural sugar substitute) has recently been shown to protect young teeth against cavities, harmful bacteria, and tooth decay. Children who don’t normally see a dentist regularly can miss out on beneficial information and the latest advancements in dental procedures.

Children are born with 20 primary teeth; with these they learn to chew and speak. Eventually their jaw accommodates for the permanent adult teeth that will appear several years later. During these formative years children are especially susceptible to decay, which can cause pain and tooth loss. These are both serious problems that could interfere later in life with their oral development as adults. There are a number of things that parents can do to ensure to prevent tooth decay in children.

Our Woodbridge and Burke Pediatric Dentists Want To Educate Parent’s On Preventing Tooth Decay

Our Woodbridge and Burke Pediatric Dentists are committed to helping parent’s take proactive steps to keep their child’s teeth as healthy as possible. This article is informative for parent’s of children of all ages, even if your child is a baby – it’s never to early to be proactive about your child’s oral health. Our Pediatric Dentist office in Woodbridge and Burke, VA has written an article to help educate parent’s in the local area that there is a dentist near by that genuinely cares about their child’s oral health sight unseen and want’s to help them make a difference.

5 TIPS TO PREVENT TOOTH DECAY IN CHILDREN

1. Establish a tooth brushing routine with your children. Routines are great ways to teach children. Once they get in the habit of brushing everyday, that will continue into adolescence and adulthood. Children may be reluctant at first, but most will make it a habit if the parent set’s the example with consistent reinforcement and demonstrating their own routine of good dental care.
2. It’s advisable to help children eight years old and younger with brushing their teeth, and still supervise their routine until age 11. Eight years old seems appropriate in most instances, but until children is able to tie their shoes, they don’t really have the necessary skills to brush their teeth on their own. By giving them a hand, parents can make certain that no food is left behind, which often leads to cavities. Experts say, even after children are able to brush on their own, parents should still check their routine every so often to ensure their child is doing a good job of brushing their own teeth.
3. Make sure your child sees a pediatric dentist regularly. A child’s dentist appointment is just as important as an adult’s – they’ll demonstrate that good oral hygeine is a critical part of their overall health, as well as look for early signs of any tooth decay. Your child’s dentist will also offer strategies for their daily oral care, and advise on any issues like recent dental trauma or maintaining braces.
4. Watch your child’s sugar intake. Quite often, there is alot of sugar in the juices and drinks that children consume. This has quietly led to a rise in tooth decay among pre-adolescents. There is a great resource we can recommend on how to limit your child’s sugar consumption. As always, your child’s pediatrician is the best source to consult with in regards to their nutrition.
5. Demonstrate your own good dental habits. Kid’s learn by example! If they that their parent values good dental health and makes it a priority in their own life, so will they. Make brushing your teeth a family moment – have everyone brush their teeth together in the morning and then together again at night before bedtime.

You Can Help Your Child Avoid Living With Tooth Decay

Spare your child alot of painful sleepless nights by following the above six tips. You’ll help them prevent tooth decay, avoid infection, the loss of a tooth and or other serious oral issues. The best advice to ensuring your child always has a smile they can be proud of is to make sure they see they dentist regularly, especially if you know they are suffering some sort of dental issue.

Pro Advice: Turn Tooth Brushing Into A Game

• Brush teeth during commercial breaks during their favorite TV show. During each 30-60 second commercial break, is the perfect time to get them to spot brush their teeth just because! Make it a game to see if they can finish before their show starts again.
• Set an egg timer to see if they can brush their teeth the entire time. Challenge your child to keep brushing their teeth until all the sand has run out. You can also buy your child a toothbrush that blinks led lights or plays music for two minutes.
• Play their favorite song while they brush their teeth. There is a free app called Brush DJ that will plays music in your library for two minutes and as an added bonus it lets you set reminders for your child to brush, floss and visit the dentist.

Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is the leading provider of pediatric dental and orthodontic services in Burke, Virginia. Our state-of-the-art facility is designed to provide the highest quality care for our patients. We offer a wide range of services, including preventive care, routine cleanings, and treatment for cavities and gum disease. We also offer a variety of specialty services, such as orthodontics, sedation dentistry, and dental implants.

Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals is dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients. We take the time to get to know each patient and their family so that we can provide personalized care that meets their individual needs. We believe that every child deserves to have a healthy and beautiful smile, and we are committed to helping our patients achieve that goal.

If you are looking for a pediatric dentist in Burke, Virginia, we invite you to visit us at Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics. We look forward to meeting you and your family!

Our Pediatric Dentists in Burke, VA Works With Children Of All Ages

It prides us to say that we offer the best Pediatric Dental Care in Burke, Virginia and that the level of care our patients receive is unmatched in the local area. Our staff of compassionate Dentists work with children of all ages. We’re ready to be your family dentist for years to come. Stop by and visit our Burke, Virginia office located at 5200 Lyngate Ct, Burke, VA 22015.

Servicing the local area of Burke, West Springfield, North Springfield, Springfield, Kings Park, Fairfax, Annandale, Falls Church, Merrifield, Vienna, Fairfax Station, Oakton, Clifton, Centreville, Ft. Belvoir, and Lorton Franconia.

Pediatric Dental Services We Provide

Recent Patient Reviews from Pediatric Dental in Burke, VA:

We had the best orthodontic experience with Dr Hennigh. He and his staff made us feel welcome after a cross country move. They were knowledgeable of our sons rare situation and walked us through what would be next with confidence and professionalism. Highly recommend Dr Hennigh!

Great dentist, great dental assistants. They are always happy and professional. We have been going here for many years. Lonnie is the best!

I’ve taken my 3 kids here for 14 years now and haven’t had one bad experience with them. And we go A LOT. All 3 in Ortho too. The entire staff is amazing, so great that I actually miss them when we don’t go for a few months. We never have to wait long and I always trust they are doing the right thing for my kids’ mouths. Highest recommendations!!!

There are numerous causes your child may have a toothache, we as adults are often able to pin point the cause and seek treatment when necessary. Children, on the other hand don’t have that luxury, and a toothache can become a constant source of pain they are unable to handle or explain exactly what hurts. Toothaches can occur when decay or erosion penetrates the pulp chamber of the tooth. The pulp chamber contains extremely sensitive blood vessels and nerves. A common source for toothaches is often diet-related, such as drinking too many sweet beverages or soda, or eating high sugar foods like candy.

Is your child suffering from a toothache? Our Woodbridge and Burke Pediatric Dentistry office is close by at 5200 Lyngate Ct, Burke, VA 22015. We’d be happy to help treat them and make the pain go away! Our expert Dentists and staff are ready to treat your child and can even provide emergency treatment if the pain is excruciating don’t hesitate to make an appointment!

My Child Appears To Have A Toothache, What Should I Do?

If your child appears to be suffering from a toothache, try using warm salt water (NOT hot or cold) to help relieve the tenderness. Have your child rinse their mouth out with the salty water solution (1 teaspoon per 8 oz.) whenever they begin to feel pain or sensitivity. Use a cold pack or cold compress against their cheek to help reduce painful inflammation to the area. A cautionary word involving over-the-counter pain relievers; they are often ineffective involving toothaches.

Home Remedies Provide Only Temporary Relief of Toothache

Please note, temporary remedies like the one suggested above will only be able to provide temporary relief for the pain, and a trip to the dentist might be necessary anyway. If you can’t recall your child’s last dental visit, we’d recommend you schedule one especially if they are currently in pain.

If your child has a chipped or cracked tooth, they made need a cap or filling, especially if it’s on of their permanent teeth. One of our Pediatric Dentists can perform this care on your child in office. If one of their emerging teeth is found to be abutting against an existing tooth, it may be necessary to have to one removed – it all depends on the level the pain your child is in.

Why Your Child May Have A Toothache

A major toothache may be a symptom of any of the following dental problems:

• Tooth erosion and/or decay
• Emerging teeth
• Loose and/or missing fillings
• Chipped teeth/cracked enamel

Poor Dental Hygiene May Cause Tooth Decay

Food that get’s accidentally stuck between the teeth might even become painful. As food wedges between the teeth it can separate one tooth away from another which irritates the roots as well as the gumline. If you notice poor habits or inconsistency in your child when it comes to brushing their teeth, this might be a fair indicator that there may be some tooth decay.

Not to worry if that is the case, you can schedule an appointment with our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dental office, and we’ll be more than happy to examine your child. As is the case with all dental-based problems, the earlier we see your child the easier it will be to eliminate the cause of their toothache.

If it’s a serious toothache, perhaps due to a chip or cavity, don’t hesitate to visit our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dentist Even if your child has never been a patient in our office or has never seen a dentist, we want to make the pain go away and provide your child with the best possible care. We strive to make every child feel safe and comfortable during their visit – and can handle dental any dental emergency that your child may be experiencing.

5 Things You Can Do When Your Child Has A Toothache

#1 – ASK YOUR CHILD WHERE THE PAIN IS
The easiest thing you may want to try, provided your child is old enough, is to simply ask them to point to or describe the pain they are in. If you have a younger child, try to look for swelling, or redness around the gums and cheek, tooth discoloration or broken teeth. If you find a loose tooth, or discolored or broken tooth than odds are you’ve likely found the cause.

#2 – TRY TO HELP YOUR CHILD FLOSS
You can try to help your child remove any food particles that may become lodged between their teeth. Try to be careful and gentle when helping them floss, because your child’s gums might be irritated. If your child has trouble with flossing or has braces, consider buying them a Waterpik Water Flosser to make it easier for them to clear trapped food from their teeth.

#3 – RINSE YOUR CHILD’S MOUTH OUT WITH WARM SALT WATER
Make your child a salt water solution. Mix about a teaspoon of table salt per 8 oz. of warm water and have your child rinse their mouth with the solution for about 30 seconds and then spit the salt water out. This will help kill bacteria in or around the affected area and helps to promote faster healing.

#4 – MAKE YOUR CHILD A COLD COMPRESS
You can apply a cold pack to your child’s outer cheek wherever the pain is. If you do not have a cold pack you can make a cold compress of your own by wrapping ice in a small towel or cloth. Try icing the affected area for 15 minutes at a time.

#5 – WHEN TO USE PAIN MEDICATION
If your child’s pain persists after trying all other methods your child can take anti-inflammatory medication like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Remember to make sure that any medicine you give them the child’s recommended dosage and it’s advisable to first check with your child’s pediatrician before administering anything they’ve never taken before – even over the counter medicines.

Dental Infections Are a Common Cause of Toothaches in Children

If your child’s toothache fails to subside within 24-36 hours, we’d encourage you to book an appointment with our Woodbridge and Burke pediatric dentistry office as soon as possible. Children are at a higher risk for dental infections than adults. If your child’s toothache is not going away, or if their toothache persists for over 24 hours you should call our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Even if the pain subsides for a while, there is still a reason they were in pain to begin with. They may have a cavity which can develop into a painful abscess. If you have any doubts whatsoever, please call us or schedule an appointment online.