Posted on 12/15/2020

As a parent, it can feel intimidating to plan all of the important check ups and milestones for their first years of life, and making sure you time things right is a primary concern. You might also be wondering what questions to ask when you take your child to see the dentist for the first time, and how to ensure that they are comfortable, and receive the proper care. Our team at Pedadontics, P.C. works with patients of all ages, and has some tips and ideas for tackling your child’s first dentist appointment.

When is My Child Old Enough to Go to the Dentist

It is recommended that every child receive their first dental checkup when they are one year old, or at least within six months of their first tooth appearing. It is very important to start your child’s dental journey at this time, because this way the dentist can get an idea of how the teeth will come in, what to look out for, and begin to predict whether any specific treatment will be required down the road.

You and Your Child Can Get Comfortable

Going to the dentist can feel scary sometimes, especially for children. That is why we work so hard at Pedadontics, P.C. to ensure that you and your child feel at home in our office, and we work to develop a strong and trusting relationship. Your child’s first dental appointment is not only an opportunity to get that first, baseline checkup, it is also a chance to spend some time with a new or already trusted doctor, introducing your child, and familiarizing yourself with their approach. It is important to make sure that you and your child feel comfortable and cared for.

Choose a Dentist That Specializes in Pediatric Care

Making an appointment with a dentist that specializes in pediatric, or early, dentistry, ensures that you will be meeting with someone who knows how to speak to, and care for children, so that you can relax and know they are in good hands.

Pedodontics, P.C. is completely committed to caring for children from their first year of life all the way to early adulthood. We understand what an environment needs to make a child feel safe, at home, and excited to go to the dentist and receive the crucial dental care that they need. We help patients in Omaha, NE and surrounding areas achieve brilliant smiles to last lifetime, and cannot wait to meet you. Request an appointment or contact us today!

Posted on 11/19/2021

Finding a pediatric dentist can be tough for any parent. We all want our child to be healthy, and that includes your child’s oral health. By starting early, you’ll be able to prevent your child’s teeth from decaying and becoming infected. But what if your child doesn’t have a pediatric dentist to go to? How do you look for one? At Pedodontics, P.C., we have 6 tips to help parents find the right pediatric dentist for their kids. Whether you’re a new parent, just moved, or just looking for a new one, learn how to find the best dentists for your child.

How to Choose a Dentist For Your Child

• Welcoming, Comfortable (and Fun!) Environment– Choosing a pediatric dentist who is welcoming and fun is always the best. You also want to make sure that they provide your child with a comfortable setting for them! It’s also important for the staff to be accommodating and friendly. A dental office doesn’t have to be a scary place for your little one; your child’s dental home should be inviting, exciting, clean, and fun!
• Qualified & Certified– In addition to dental school, a pediatric dentist is trained in children’s behavior, including dental anxiety and special needs. These unique qualifications make them qualified to handle children patients. You’ll also want to find one that is board-certified. This means that the dentist has gone through the necessary steps to become a specialist. By being certified, they are able to demonstrate expertise and knowledge. They also should have a license that permits them to practice their profession in your state. It is a good choice to find out if the kids’ dentist is licensed to practice in your local area.
• Accepts Insurance– For many parents, a big factor when choosing a dentist is to consider if your child’s dentist office accepts your insurance coverage or not. This can offset the cost. However, not every dental office accepts every kind of insurance plan. Talk with the office manager to see what treatments are covered through your insurance.
• Accessible Location– When looking for the best pediatric dentist near you, take into consideration how close the office is to your home. This means you physically can get to their office quickly and efficiently. You’ll want a dentist that is within a reasonable distance in the case of an emergency.
• Diverse Services– You’ll want to find a kid-friendly dentist that offers the widest range of services possible. This can include specialty dentistry options like orthodontics, whitening, wisdom teeth removal, or oral surgery. Also, see if they also treat teens and adolescents as well, since your child will be growing. Even if you don’t need these types of services at the moment, your child may in the future and it’s nice to know you won’t have to search outside for extra services.
• Quality Service– A good way to find a dentist is to get references from friends or family members. Ask them any questions or concerns you have to get a feel if the dental practice is a good match for your child. A simple conversation can be a great indicator of their office atmosphere. Such information will help you make a sensible choice for your kids.

Need a Pediatric Dentist? Come See Us at Pedodontics, P.C.

Does your child need to see a dentist? Schedule their first consultation today at Pedodontics, P.C. today! Our highly qualified doctors and staff provide a comfortable, welcoming environment for both children and teens! Our Omaha, NE office is the go-to place to get both dental and orthodontic care in one place. If you have any questions or concerns, contact us today! We are excited to work with your family!

Posted on 10/05/2021

Many parents are curious as to what age they should let their children start orthodontic treatment? Is it necessary? If your child has crooked teeth, chances are they’ll need braces at some point. But the truth is, there is no set age that is the best. Every child is different, and at Pedodontics, P.C., we can make a customized treatment plan just for your child. Our early treatment plan can help your child’s teeth shift as they grow, giving them straight teeth by the time they’re an adult. If you’re a parent that is curious about having your child get braces, here’s what you need to know.

Factors to Consider

• What Problems Do They Have?– The American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist at around the age of 7, or when their dentist recommends. An orthodontist can evaluate a child’s bite, oral habits, and jaw structure to determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary. Some early warning signs of orthodontic problems include:
  • – Trouble chewing or biting
  • – Mouth breathing
  • – Finger sucking
  • – Crowding or misplaced teeth
  • – Difficulty speaking
  • – Cheek biting or biting into the roof of the mouth
  • – Protruding teeth
  • – Teeth grinding or clenching

  If an orthodontist identifies a tooth problem, this will require early treatment, which is when a child receives braces. Overall, most kids get braces when they are between 9 and 14 years old.

 

• What to Expect During Treatment– Early orthodontic treatment helps prevent oral problems from happening and corrects issues that cannot be addressed once a child’s face and jaw stop growing. Once your orthodontist decides they need treatment, you and your child will decide what type of braces or appliance they need. Once your orthodontist decides that they need treatment, you and your child will decide what type of braces or appliance they need. Oftentimes, kids will get traditional metal braces. In other cases, kids may qualify for clear removable braces or other orthodontic devices. An orthodontist may also recommend that your child have one or more teeth removed to create additional space in the mouth.
• Side Effects– With regular checkups and consultations, your orthodontist will take every precaution to ensure side effects are taken into consideration. While rare, potential side effects of braces can include: tooth decay, relapse (teeth reverting to original position), allergic reactions, and other issues.

Get Your Child Braces Today!

If you want your child to start early orthodontic treatment, contact Pedodontics, P.C. today! Our Omaha office offers pediatric dental and orthodontic services in one place! Whether your child needs braces or just a simple cleaning, our doctors and staff provide a comfortable environment to visit. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us. We are excited to help your child get started!

Posted on 06/17/2021

At Pedodontics, P.C., we are celebrating that summer is here! The season is unique this year because the pandemic is slowly coming to a close and everything is opening back up! Now that more people are itching to meet up with loved ones in person, schedules are changing. For lots of children, that means that summer break is here! And with everything from barbecues to state fairs, there are indulgences everywhere during the summer season. In our office, we strive to educate all of our patients in the Omaha community about oral health and maintenance. Here are some tips to keep you and your family’s oral health strong this year.

Summer Oral Health Tips

Here are some tips to keep you healthy this Summer:

• See your dentist this summer– Before you dive deep into summer, make sure to make an appointment with your dentist and orthodontist. Dental issues are a cumulative problem, so before you start enjoying those sugary treats/drinks, make sure your teeth are cleaned and checked.
• Keep a healthy diet– While it’s great to indulge during the summer, make sure to do so in moderation. Sugar can cause cavities, so it’s important to choose healthier options, such as fruit, yogurt, and dark chocolate. Overall, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet regularly.
• Sip through a straw– If you are drinking something sugary and acidic, drinking through a straw. This helps minimize the beverage’s contact with teeth, resulting in fewer stains and reduces the risk for cavities. To be eco-friendly, use a reusable or paper straw. Also, rinse with water after drinking to wash away the sugar and acid.
• Keep a travel set– If you are making travel plans, make sure to keep a teeth-cleaning travel set. Pack a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss to keep handy for vacations, sleep-overs, and road trips.
• Avoid ice– It’s easy to chew on the ice during hot days, however, it’s hard on your teeth. Use ice to chill drinks . . . not as something to eat.
• Wear a mouthguard– If you are planning to play any contact sports, wear a mouthguard. A properly fitting mouth guard can reduce the chance of dental injuries by up to 60 times.
• Protect your lips– Part of caring for your oral health is making sure your lips are protected. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your lips. This helps to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays and reduces the risk of skin cancer.

Visit Your Local Dentist & Orthodontist This Summer!

At Pedodontics, P.C., we strive to provide high-quality orthodontic and dental treatment to children and teenagers in Omaha, Nebraska. Our doctors and staff are equipped and prepared to help our patients achieve their best-looking smiles. Contact us today if you’re thinking about a starting treatment or in need of a check-up! We are here to answer any questions or concerns you have. This summer is the perfect time to get your child on a path to better oral health!

Posted on 10/15/2020

Early treatment refers to orthodontic intervention when primary or “baby” teeth are still present. Our team at Pedodontics, P.C. wants to address orthodontic problems early, making treatment plans easier and more cost-effective for children and their families. The goal of early treatment is to minimize or eliminate the need for a secondary stage of orthodontics. Our Omaha, NE orthodontists can improve smiles at any age, but early attention can often prevent future obstacles. Pedodontics, P.C. will gladly help any patient make an informed decision concerning the optimal time for his or her treatment and when Omaha braces may be necessary.

Orthodontics for Children

The American Academy of Orthodontists recommends that your child have an orthodontic examination by age seven — for two very good reasons:

• There’s a wide disparity in tooth development at age seven. Our Omaha orthodontist will be able to tell if your child has an orthodontic problem or not. By this time, they can determine whether or not there will be adequate room in the mouth to accommodate the permanent teeth.
• There are many conditions far easier to treat if they’re caught at an early stage when a child’s natural growth is in full swing. For example, a palatal expander appliance can effectively treat a child’s crossbite because their jaw is still growing rapidly.

There are other problems commonly seen in childhood that may also benefit from orthodontic treatment. These include the early or late loss of baby teeth, persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may be time to visit our office. But keep in mind that early screening doesn’t mean treatment has to start right away. In fact, most kids do not begin active orthodontic treatment until they’re 9-14 years old. At this time, you can discuss braces in Omaha, NE with our orthodontic team.

Advantages of Early Treatment in Omaha

While early orthodontic treatment for kids can be used to fix many different bite problems, it can also provide many other benefits:

• It can reduce the complexity of later orthodontic treatment.
• It will save you and your child time and money in the long run – orthodontic problems that are left alone will likely get worse over time.
• It can create facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth.
• It will reduce the need for tooth extraction.
• It may even give your child a boost of self-esteem!

Contact Pedodontics, P.C. for Early Orthodontic Treatment Today!

If you are interested in early orthodontic treatment or braces in Omaha, NE, contact Pedodontics, P.C. today! Our orthodontic team will be happy to schedule an appointment for you and your child and walk you through the initial steps of orthodontic treatment. We hope to see you soon!