Frequently Asked Questions

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Fax: (503) 635-0035 · Address: 18676 Willamette Dr. Ste. 301, West Linn, OR 97068

Pediatric dentists are the "pediatricians of dentistry." The pediatric dentist has an extra two to three years of specialized training and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through adolescence, including those with special health needs. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems.

All children and teenagers are unique. At The Kids' Dentist, we have no hard and fast rules — we treat children from infants to late teenagers. Our practice grows with your child and has attractions centered around our "Rainforest Treehouse": toys, books, video games, web terminals, and movies that entertain children, teens, and parents!

We also perform wisdom teeth extractions with IV sedation for teenagers and young adults right in our office.

Yes! We contract with an experienced dental surgeon who provides specialized care for in-office third molar extractions for teenagers and young adults right here at our West Linn practice. Wisdom teeth typically develop between ages 15 and 22 and often become impacted, cause crowding, damage neighboring teeth, or develop painful infections. Evaluating and removing them early—before roots are fully established—leads to smoother procedures and significantly faster recovery.

To schedule a wisdom teeth evaluation, request a consultation online or call us at (503) 697-GRIN.

Intravenous (IV) sedation—often called "twilight sleep"—delivers medication directly into the bloodstream to produce a deeply relaxed, restful state. Your teenager will experience no pain, zero anxiety, and little to no memory of the procedure.

Patient safety is our top priority: The visiting dental surgeon and surgical staff continuously monitor vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) throughout the visit. Patients must fast (no food or drink) for at least 6 to 8 hours before the procedure, and a parent or adult guardian must stay during treatment and drive them home.

We can submit insurance for you if all of the necessary information is received and verified prior to your appointment. Some plans require you to see an in-network or participating dentist — please contact us to see if we participate with your plan. With some plans we are a specialist and a referral is required from your general dentist. If you have questions, you are best served to call the customer service number on your insurance card or contact your Human Resources department.

The American Academies of Pediatric Dentistry and Pediatrics recommend that children see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than his/her first birthday. Early examination and preventative care will protect your child's smile now and in the future.

DO's:

• Schedule the first visit early in the day — young patients are more fresh and cooperative when rested, and the appointment won't conflict with mealtimes or naptime. Ask for a time that coincides with other young patients who can serve as role models.
• Dress up. Nothing will increase the expectation of a pleasant experience as much as "getting ready" in fancy clothes.
• Read some of our suggested books and play some online games with your child.

DON'Ts:

• Don't give your child instructions on how to behave (such as telling the child not to cry, sit still in the chair, or to be "good") in the office.
• Don't overdo your preparation. Tell your child about the dental visit the night before, treating it as a highlight of the next day.
• Don't use words around your child that might cause unnecessary fear or tell "scary" stories — words such as "needle," "shot," "pull," "drill," or "hurt" may cause preventable anxiety.

We make a practice of using words that are pleasant and non-frightening while explaining what we are doing in "kid-friendly" terms.

Parents are invited back to observe and interact during the initial exam and checkups. We have a designated parent chair from which you can observe treatment. During restorative treatment of cavities, parents observe from behind the child in the treatment area, allowing the doctor and staff to communicate with your child directly without distractions or safety concerns. Over time, we hope to bring your child back by themselves to establish trust and independence. During sedation and general anesthesia treatment, no parents are allowed to observe due to safety concerns.

Finally, if you expect your child to do well and enjoy their visit, chances are they will do just that!

The most important reason for an early visit is a practical prevention program. A big concern is nursing or baby bottle tooth decay: your baby risks severe decay when he or she nurses continuously from breast or bottle (milk, formula, or juice) during naps or at night. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing dental problems.

Children with healthy teeth chew food easily, learn to speak clearly, and smile with confidence. Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.

It is very important to maintain the health of the primary teeth. Neglected cavities can and frequently do lead to problems that affect developing permanent teeth. Primary teeth are important for:

• Proper chewing and eating
• Providing space for the permanent teeth and guiding them into the correct position
• Permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles

They also affect the development of speech and add to an attractive appearance. While the front 4 teeth last until 6–7 years of age, the back teeth (cuspids and molars) are not replaced until age 10–13.

Thumb and pacifier sucking habits that go on for a long period of time can create crowded, crooked teeth and bite problems. If a child is still sucking thumbs or fingers when the permanent teeth arrive, your pediatric dentist may recommend a habit appliance or other strategies. With a few proven strategies, most children can stop these habits early and on their own.

Sealants are clear or shaded plastic applied to the teeth to prevent cavities. They fill in the grooved and pitted surfaces of the teeth that are hard to clean, shutting out food particles that could get caught and cause cavities. Fast and comfortable to apply, sealants can effectively protect teeth for many years.

Children can receive fluoride by ingesting a recommended amount and/or applying fluoride topically. The answer varies based on the fluoride content in your community water and the age of your child. We would be happy to discuss fluoride with you at your visit.

Dr. Yip is particularly careful to minimize the exposure of child patients to radiation. Lead body aprons and shields protect your child, and our digital X-ray equipment requires only a fraction of the radiation energy used with traditional films. With these contemporary safeguards, the amount of radiation received in a dental X-ray is extremely small — and far outweighs the risk of undetected dental disease if images are omitted.

Crooked teeth and bite problems are common and may occur for many reasons. Orthodontic problems may be genetic or may arise from dental injuries, the early loss of primary teeth, and habits like thumb-sucking. Dr. Yip can help your child transition from oral habits that could potentially create orthodontic problems.