Are parents allowed in the back with their children?
Do you take adults?
Do you do Orthodontics?
What dental care plans do you accept?
I would like to switch office because I have moved, what should I do?
What should I do for a dental emergency?
What procedures require pre-authorization by Medicaid?
Can you provide a cleaning if the patient has braces?
What should I bring if dental work was provided at a different clinic than Kool Smiles?
Do you have payments plans?
My child saw another dentist recently, I was not satisfied, can he have another cleaning done by Kool Smiles now?
Do I need to bring recent x rays from a previous dentist, or will you take new ones?
I was told that my child needs to have a deep cleaning by a previous doctor, can she have a regular cleaning by Kool Smiles?
Will my child have all of the work done on their first visit?
How can a child maintain proper oral hygiene?
When should tooth brushing and flossing begin?
What is sealant?
What should I do for a toothache?
What should I do for a cut or bite on a cheek?
What should I do for a broken tooth?
What should I do if my child bleeds after losing a baby tooth?
How often should I replace a toothbrush?
What should I know about bottles, pacifiers and thumb sucking?
What if my child has a visible cavity?
What about baby teeth?
Why is Kool Smiles different than other clinics?
Are parents allowed in the back with their children?
Yes. At Kool Smiles, we welcome parents to accompany their children in the clinical environment. For some patients, the presence of a parent or guardian helps children build the confidence needed for needed oral care. For other patients, having a parent/guardian in the room where dental care is being administered may cause the child to become inattentive to the clinical staff (much like a student can be distracted by having his or her parents in the classroom). Studies have also shown that parents in the back can lead to behavioral issues in children, making it more challenging to provide the child with their needed dental care. The office manager along with the doctor and the parents/guardians will work together to identify the most beneficial solution on a case by case basis to assure everyone is treated with the highest standards possible. After all, we believe every child deserves to have positive dental experiences and working together with our parents/guardians helps to ensure that children recognize Kool Smiles as a caring, safe, and friendly place.
Do you take adults?
Most offices do accept adults Please call your nearest Kool Smiles office to ask if they are scheduling adult appointments.
Do you do Orthodontics?
No, but we can refer you to an orthodontist near our office.
What dental care plans do you accept?
Kool Smiles accepts most major insurance plans including Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP).
I would like to switch offices because I have moved, what should I do?
Make an appointment at the desired office. Please make the appointment at least one week in advance to allow us time to transfer patient records.
What should I do for a dental emergency?
- Call 911 for immediate assistance
- Take your child to the nearest emergency room
What procedures require pre-authorization by Medicaid?
- Crowns
- Braces
- Deep cleaning
- RTC
Can you provide a cleaning if the patient has braces?
Yes
What should I bring if dental work was provided at a different office than Kool Smiles?
- A copy of all x-rays
- An evaluation from the dentist who performed the dental service
Do you have payments plans?
While most of our patients have insurance, we also accept patients with no insurance who pay with cash or credit card. Unfortunately, for these latter patients, we do not have a payment plan. We recommend that an initial evaluation be performed that includes x-rays and a complete exam by the doctor. We will provide an estimate of all the dental work needed.
My child saw another dentist recently, I was not satisfied, can he have another cleaning done by Kool Smiles now?
Most insurance plans have limitations on services rendered and your child will not be covered for a cleaning until 6 months from the last one.
Do I need to bring recent x rays from a previous dentist, or will you take new ones?
Yes, bring any recent x rays. We will take additional x rays if needed, and let you know about your x ray limitation.
I was told that my child needs to have a deep cleaning by a previous doctor, can she have a regular cleaning by Kool Smiles?
If the patient was diagnosed with any type of periodontal disease they will require more than a regular cleaning. Our doctor will examine the patient to determine the best treatment.
Will my child have all of the work done on their first visit?
Many treatments are completed in one visit. If more extensive work is required, it will be completed over additional visits.
How can a child maintain proper oral hygiene?
- Routine cleanings every six months, proper brushing and flossing every day are the smart and simple ways to enjoy a lifetime of healthy smiles.
- Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits. Recent studies show that nearly half of all children have at least mild inflammation of their gum tissue by the age of two or three. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food more easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence.
When should tooth brushing and flossing begin?
- Parents should begin tooth brushing as soon as the first tooth appears in the mouth. It is also a good idea to use a clean finger or damp cloth to wipe their gums before the teeth even erupt. When brushing your child's teeth, use a soft bristled brush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- A child should begin flossing when two teeth erupt next to each other, to prevent cavities from forming in- between. Flossing is especially important for the molars, as they are generally closer to each other than the front teeth.
What is sealant?
A sealant is a plastic material that is usually applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, pre-molars and molars. This plastic resin bonds into the depressions and grooves of the chewing surfaces of back teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting enamel from plaque and acids.
What should I do for a toothache?
To help relieve your child's toothache, clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Then, rinse their mouth vigorously with warm salt water or use dental floss to dislodge trapped food or debris. Apply a cold compress to reduce any swelling. See your child's dentist as soon possible.
What should I do for a cut or bite on a cheek?
If your child cuts or bites their cheek, tongue or lips, apply ice to the bruised area immediately. Apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. If the bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or cannot be controlled by simple pressure, you may need to consult an emergency room physician.
What should I do for a broken tooth?
- A broken tooth requires immediate dental attention. Rinse any dirt away from the injured area. Locate and save any tooth fragments and seek emergency dental care as soon as possible.
- If your child knocks out a permanent tooth, immediately try to find the tooth. Rinse the tooth in cold water but be careful not to touch the root. Try to re-insert the tooth into the socket, and hold it in place by having your child bite down on a clean piece of gauze or cloth. If the tooth cannot be in-inserted, take the tooth to the dentist in a cup of cold water or milk. Time is a critical factor in saving the tooth, so be sure to see your dentist within 30 minutes.
- One of the biggest concerns about injury to primary teeth is the possibility that they will be pushed into the gum and cause damage to developing permanent teeth. If you suspect that this type of injury has occurred, please bring your child for dental x-rays as soon as possible.
What should I do if my child bleeds after losing a baby tooth?
If your child bleeds after losing a baby tooth, fold and pack a clean piece of gauze over the bleeding area. Have the child bite on the gauze with pressure for 15 minutes. If bleeding persists, consult your Kool Smiles Dentist.
How often should I replace a toothbrush?
- Dentists and hygienists recommend that you replace your child's toothbrush approximately every three to four months or when the bristles appear worn. A worn toothbrush may not clean your child's teeth effectively and could harm their gums.
- Even before you can see them, baby teeth are developing under the gums of your infant. Though they eventually fall out, taking care of your child's baby teeth is important because they reserve space in the jaw for permanent teeth.
What should I know about bottles, pacifiers and thumb sucking?
To promote optimal oral health, parents are encouraged to wean infants from a bottle, pacifier, thumb and/or nursing during the eruption of the first baby molars. For most infants, the eruption of the first baby molars occurs at approximately age 14 - 18 months. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that weaning a child at this approximate age is an effective way to prevent many forms of baby tooth decay.
What if my child has a visible cavity?
- It is never a good idea to ignore tooth decay - even in primary (baby) teeth. Primary teeth serve many functions, and most children have their primary teeth for nearly 12 years. Untreated decay will spread into the other teeth and greatly impair your child's ability to eat and speak properly.
- It is important to take good care of primary teeth, as they maintain the proper spacing for your child's permanent teeth. In order to save a primary tooth with extreme tooth decay, your dentist might suggest a baby root canal or pulpatomy as an alternative to extraction. Baby root canals are much easier and quicker than root canals performed on permanent teeth.
- The outer enamel layer of primary teeth is much thinner than on permanent teeth. Once the second layer of the tooth, known as dentin, is exposed, it is much easier for decay to spread to other primary teeth. Make sure you take care of your child's primary teeth; he or she will have them for nearly 12 years.
What about baby teeth?
- Patterns of primary or baby tooth eruption vary from child to child. However, there are usually 8 front teeth present by the first year, by three years of age, all 20 of the primary teeth are usually present.
- Children usually lose their primary teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. The usual sequence for losing primary teeth begins with the lower front teeth, followed by the upper front teeth. Eventually, all 20 primary teeth will be lost.
- There are many differences between primary and permanent teeth. Primary teeth are smaller, whiter, and have a more rounded profile than permanent teeth. Primary molars have more cusps than pre-molars and sometimes resemble tiny flower buds! Permanent molars eventually erupt behind the primary molars and are substantially larger than any of the other teeth.
- A baby tooth usually stays in until a permanent tooth underneath pushes it out and takes its place. Unfortunately, some children lose their baby teeth too soon. A tooth might be knocked out accidentally or removed because of dental disease. When a tooth is lost too early, your dentist may recommend a space maintainer to prevent future space loss and dental problems.
- If a baby tooth is lost too soon, the teeth beside it may move into the empty space, creating a lack of space in the jaw for the permanent tooth. Space maintainers preserve the room created by a lost tooth. They are small and unobtrusive in appearance, and most children easily adjust to them after the first few days. It's more affordable and easier on your child to keep teeth in normal positions with a space maintainer than to move them back in place with orthodontic treatment.
Why is Kool Smiles different than other offices?
- Kool Smiles offices are specially designed for children and adults. For children they are equipped with smaller dental chairs, smaller instruments for little mouths and fun décor. We want your child's visit to our office to be as enjoyable as possible. For adults, our staff is trained to offer the same great care we provide to children for adults too. The caring environment is open to adults, with a full range of services including permanent crowns, root canals, and bridges/partial dentures.
- Following a program of good oral care can greatly contribute to a person's overall nutrition and general well-being. Individuals will be able to chew more easily, digest food better, and enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods. By practicing daily oral hygiene at home, eating nutritious meals, and making regular dental visits, you will help ensure that your mouth stays healthy. A bright healthy smile will make your child and you feel and look better.
