Most comprehensive pediatric dental practice

As soon as your baby is born, gently clean your baby’s gums after each feedings with a soft, damp washcloth. Make this a part of your routine and help your little ones build a lifetime of good oral habits.

Take your child to the dentist as soon as you welcome your baby’s first milk tooth or by his or her first birthday. This way, your child’s dentist gets a better chance of preventing any dental problems.

Morning appointments are best for your child’s first visit. Coming from a good night’s sleep, your child is more rested and much more cooperative in the morning. Also, morning appointments will not pose conflicts on your child’s mealtimes or naps.
Children who enjoy their first trip to their dentists (and their sunny, colorful rooms with fancy paintings on the walls) suggest a promising attitude towards their dental care, health and habits.

First visit

The first dental visit is as important as his or her first steps and equally as momentous as his or her first words. Your child’s teeth and gums will be checked for signs of tooth decay or other problems. To evaluate whether the facial bones and teeth are developing properly, or if there are hidden decay, X-rays may be taken. Your baby’s teeth may also be cleaned and his oral habits, like thumb-sucking, may be assessed.

It’s important that parents talk about the first appointment in a positive way. Do not use dental visits as punishments. Just the same, never let anyone tell your child scary stories about seeing the dentist.
Do not bribe your child into going for his first visit. Make your child understand that having his teeth and gums checked is good for him or her. Bribes may appear to children as ways of making them do something that may hurt or disadvantage them.

Dental care for your baby

Teeth start to develop while the child is in the womb. Most babies begin growing teeth by the third and six months of pregnancy, others may develop faster or slower than usual.

At birth, a complete set of 20 primary teeth are grown hidden within the gums. Primary teeth are also known as milk teeth, deciduous teeth or baby teeth. The first tooth generally erupts at about six months of age. 'Eruption' refers to the tooth breaking or cutting through the gums. For babies, this is more commonly called as 'teething'.

When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?

Good oral hygiene should begin even before your baby's first tooth comes in. Get into the habit of wiping your baby's gums with a clean, soft washcloth after each feedings and before you put him to sleep. There's no need for toothpaste just yet. Simply wrap the cloth around your finger and gently rub it along his lower and upper gums. Getting him used to having his gums cleaned is a good way of preparing him for toothbrushing later on.

Do I need to get him fluoridated toothpaste? Am I giving my baby just the right amount of toothpaste?

Start using a toothbrush as soon as his first tooth erupts. Use a soft bristled toothbrush and commercially available toothpaste made especially for young children. Teething generally starts at about six months and it causes irritability and discomfort for most babies. Brush his tongue gently to avoid build-up of bacteria that cause infections and bad breath. Replace toothbrushes every two to three months.

Pediatric Dentistry FAQ

• Is it necessary for my child to have dental x-rays taken?

  What will my first visit cost?

  At OurDental, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don't have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options.

  What insurance plans do you accept?

  Almost all of the major insurance carriers’ plans are accepted.

  Do I need insurance to be a patient?

  We welcome patients without insurance (self-pay) patients – in fact, many of our patients do not have insurance. Our rates are 25-50 percent lower than area private practices which makes us a great fit for self-pay patients. We can also help you set up payment plans. More information on insurance and billing.

• Does my child need sealants?

  What will my first visit cost?

  At OurDental, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don't have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options.

  What insurance plans do you accept?

  Almost all of the major insurance carriers’ plans are accepted.

  Do I need insurance to be a patient?

  We welcome patients without insurance (self-pay) patients – in fact, many of our patients do not have insurance. Our rates are 25-50 percent lower than area private practices which makes us a great fit for self-pay patients. We can also help you set up payment plans. More information on insurance and billing.

  Are x-rays necessary?

  Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone.

  What can I expect as a patient?

  In many ways, we function just like a normal dental office, and you can expect to receive excellent dental care. However, we are a teaching facility, so dentists-in-training work with experienced dentists to provide your care. This means that our patients receive an exceptionally high level of care, but it takes longer than a normal private practice. As a dental school, we also have lower rates  and provide comprehensive care.

  Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

  Yes, all Our Dental Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed in the state of Texas.

• Is thumbsucking harmful for my child's teeth?

  What will my first visit cost?

  At OurDental, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don't have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options.

  What insurance plans do you accept?

  Almost all of the major insurance carriers’ plans are accepted.

  Do I need insurance to be a patient?

  We welcome patients without insurance (self-pay) patients – in fact, many of our patients do not have insurance. Our rates are 25-50 percent lower than area private practices which makes us a great fit for self-pay patients. We can also help you set up payment plans. More information on insurance and billing.

  Are x-rays necessary?

  Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone.

  What can I expect as a patient?

  In many ways, we function just like a normal dental office, and you can expect to receive excellent dental care. However, we are a teaching facility, so dentists-in-training work with experienced dentists to provide your care. This means that our patients receive an exceptionally high level of care, but it takes longer than a normal private practice. As a dental school, we also have lower rates  and provide comprehensive care.

  Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

  Yes, all Our Dental Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed in the state of Texas.

• Thumbsucking is common among children. It is a natural urge for babies to soothe themselves whenever they feel hungry, restless or sleepy. It is best to put a stop to thumbsucking before the permanent teeth come in. This may not only trigger problems with proper chewing and swallowing, it may also cause may cause teeth to grow out of alignment (malocclusion) and position.

  What will my first visit cost?

  At OurDental, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don't have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options.

  What insurance plans do you accept?

  Almost all of the major insurance carriers’ plans are accepted.

  Do I need insurance to be a patient?

  We welcome patients without insurance (self-pay) patients – in fact, many of our patients do not have insurance. Our rates are 25-50 percent lower than area private practices which makes us a great fit for self-pay patients. We can also help you set up payment plans. More information on insurance and billing.

  Are x-rays necessary?

  Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone.

  What can I expect as a patient?

  In many ways, we function just like a normal dental office, and you can expect to receive excellent dental care. However, we are a teaching facility, so dentists-in-training work with experienced dentists to provide your care. This means that our patients receive an exceptionally high level of care, but it takes longer than a normal private practice. As a dental school, we also have lower rates  and provide comprehensive care.

  Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

  Yes, all Our Dental Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed in the state of Texas.

• Are baby teeth really important to my child?

  What will my first visit cost?

  At OurDental, our doctors and staff believe in making dental care affordable and accessible for everyone. If you don't have insurance, there will be no charge for your first visit for a comprehensive exam and x-rays with recommended treatment. The doctor will perform the exam and recommend a course of treatment. The office manager will provide pricing information and discuss payment options.

  What insurance plans do you accept?

  Almost all of the major insurance carriers’ plans are accepted.

  Do I need insurance to be a patient?

  We welcome patients without insurance (self-pay) patients – in fact, many of our patients do not have insurance. Our rates are 25-50 percent lower than area private practices which makes us a great fit for self-pay patients. We can also help you set up payment plans. More information on insurance and billing.

  Are x-rays necessary?

  Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone.

  What can I expect as a patient?

  In many ways, we function just like a normal dental office, and you can expect to receive excellent dental care. However, we are a teaching facility, so dentists-in-training work with experienced dentists to provide your care. This means that our patients receive an exceptionally high level of care, but it takes longer than a normal private practice. As a dental school, we also have lower rates  and provide comprehensive care.

  Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

  Yes, all Our Dental Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed in the state of Texas.

• How do I clean my baby's teeth and gums?

  Are x-rays necessary?

  Absolutely. It is impossible to see directly between the teeth or under the gums or bone without the use of a dental radiograph. Many diseases and conditions can only be detected with the use of dental x-rays. X-rays allow dentists to detect disease and other conditions much sooner than the clinical examination alone.

  What can I expect as a patient?

  In many ways, we function just like a normal dental office, and you can expect to receive excellent dental care. However, we are a teaching facility, so dentists-in-training work with experienced dentists to provide your care. This means that our patients receive an exceptionally high level of care, but it takes longer than a normal private practice. As a dental school, we also have lower rates  and provide comprehensive care.

  Are all Dentists certified and licensed?

  Yes, all Our Dental Dentists and Dental Assistants are certified and fully licensed in the state of Texas.