Contact
Frequently Asked Questions

Got Questions? We've Got Answers.

From your child's first visit to what to expect during treatment, we've put together answers to the questions parents ask us most.

First Visit & Choosing a Pediatric Dentist

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth erupts—whichever comes first.

Many parents are surprised to learn that the first visit is focused on prevention and education, not treatment. Early dental visits allow us to monitor your child’s oral growth and development, identify any concerns early, and provide guidance to help keep your child’s smile healthy from the very beginning.

During your child’s first visit, we will:

  • Perform a gentle examination of the teeth, gums, and oral tissues
  • Evaluate your child’s growth and dental development
  • Assess your child’s risk for cavities
  • Gently clean the teeth, when appropriate
  • Apply a fluoride varnish to help strengthen the teeth
  • Demonstrate proper brushing techniques based on your child’s age
  • Discuss nutrition, healthy snack choices, fluoride, oral habits, and cavity prevention
  • Answer any questions you may have about your child’s oral health


Every child is unique, and we tailor each visit to your child’s age, comfort level, and individual needs. Our goal is to make the first dental experiences positive, comfortable, and fun while helping parents feel informed and confident about caring for their child’s smile.

Both pediatric dentists and family dentists are trained to care for children’s teeth. However, a pediatric dentist completes an additional two to three years of specialized training after dental school focused exclusively on the oral health of infants, children, adolescents, and children with special health care needs.

During this advanced training, pediatric dentists receive extensive education in:

  • Children’s growth and dental development
  • Prevention and treatment of childhood dental disease
  • Behavior guidance and anxiety management
  • Care for children with special health care needs
  • Sedation and pain management
  • Management of dental trauma and emergencies
  • Early orthodontic evaluation and guidance


Because pediatric dentists treat children every day, they understand how to communicate with children of different ages, reduce dental anxiety, and create positive experiences that help build confidence and trust.

At Kid Friendly Dentistry, every aspect of our practice—from our office environment and equipment to our treatment techniques and communication—is designed specifically for children and their families.

Feeling nervous about visiting the dentist is completely normal, especially for young children or those who have never had a dental appointment before. At Kid Friendly Dentistry, we understand that every child is unique, and our goal is to help each child build confidence through positive, comfortable dental experiences.

Parents can help prepare their child by:

  • Speaking positively about visiting the dentist.
  • Avoiding words such as “shot,” “needle,” “hurt,” or “pain,” even if your intention is to reassure them.
  • Reading children’s books or watching age-appropriate videos about visiting the dentist.
  • Scheduling appointments earlier in the day when children are usually well rested and more cooperative.
  • Remaining calm and confident, as children often take emotional cures from their parents.

Our team is specially trained to care for children and uses gentle, age-appropriate communication to help them feel safe and comfortable. We introduce children to the dental office at their own pace, explain procedures using child-friendly language, and celebrate success—no matter how small.

For children who need additional support, we may recommend nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help them relax during treatment. Whenever possible, Dr. Mizani also uses gentle techniques that allow many fillings on baby teeth to be completed without a numbing injection, helping reduce anxiety and make treatment more comfortable.

Preventive Care

Many parent wonder why baby teeth matter since they eventually fall out. The truth is that healthy baby teeth play a critical role in your child’s overall health, growth, and development.

Children typically have 20 baby teeth, and these teeth usually begin to appear around 6 months of age. Most children start losing their baby teeth around age 6, with the last baby teeth typically falling out between 10 and 12 years of age.

Baby teeth are much more than “temporary” teeth. They help your child:

  • Chew food properly and maintain good nutrition
  • Speak clearly as speech develops
  • Smile with confidence
  • Guide the permanent teeth into their proper positions
  • Maintain the space needed for adult teeth to erupt correctly

Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases, but it’s also one of the most preventable. Developing healthy habits early can significantly reduce your child’s risk of cavities and help them maintain a healthy smile for life.

Here are some of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth:

 

Visit the Dentist Regularly

Routine dental checkups every six months allow us to detect problems early, monitor your child’s oral development, provide preventive treatments, and offer personalized guidance to keep their smile healthy.

 

Brush and Floss Every Day

Brush your child’s teeth twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste appropriate for their age. Once your child’s teeth begin touching, floss once a day to remove plaque and food particles between the teeth.

Parents should assist with brushing until children have the coordination to brush effectively on their own, typically around 7 years of age.

 

Avoid Bedtime Bottles with Sugary Drinks

Never put your baby to bed with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or other sweetened beverages. During sleep, reduced saliva allows sugars to remain on the teeth longer, increasing the risk of cavities.

If your child needs a bottle at bedtime, water is the safest choice.

 

Choose Healthy Drinks

Water should be your child’s primary beverage between meals. Limit sugary drinks such as juice, soda, sports drinks, flavored milk, and sweetened beverages, as frequent exposure to sugar greatly increases the risk of tooth decay.

 

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

Offer a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and dairy products. Frequent snacking—especially on sugary or sticky foods—can increase the risk of cavities. Limiting snacks between meals helps give the teeth time to recover naturally.

 

Protect Permanent Teeth with Dental Sealants

Dental sealants are thin protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of permanent molars. They help prevent food and bacteria from collecting in the deep grooves of the teeth and have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cavities.

 

Ask about Fluoride

Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes teeth more resistant to cavities. Depending on your child’s individual risk, we may recommend fluoride varnish treatments during routine dental visits.

Yes. When used as recommended, fluoride is both safe and highly effective at preventing cavities in children. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, helps repair the early stages of tooth decay, and makes teeth more resistant to cavities.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend using a fluoride toothpaste as soon as your child’s first tooth erupts.

 

How much fluoride toothpaste should my child use?

The amount of toothpaste depends on your child’s age: 

  • Children younger than 3 years: Use a smear or rice grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Children 3 to 6 years old: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.


Parents should supervise brushing and encourage children to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it. Children should continue to receive assistance with brushing until they have the coordination to brush effectively on their own, usually around 7 to 8 years of age.

 

What if my child swallows a small amount of toothpaste?

Swallowing a small amount of fluoride toothpaste during brushing is common in young children and is generally not harmful when the recommended rice-sized or pea-sized amount is used. Parents should supervise brushing and use only the recommended amount of toothpaste for their child’s age.

Yes. Dental X-rays are very safe for children when used appropriately. At Kid Friendly Dentistry, we follow the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and take X-rays only when they are clinically necessary to diagnose conditions that cannot be detected during a visual examination alone.

Modern digital dental X-rays use extremely low levels of radiation. In fact, the amount of radiation from a routine set of dental X-rays is often comparable to—or even less than—the natural background radiation a child receives during a single day from the environment.

To further minimize exposure, we follow the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which means we use the lowest radiation dose necessary to obtain the information needed for safe and effective care. We also use appropriate protective measures, including lead aprons and thyroid collars, whenever indicated.

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings that are applied to the chewing surfaces of the permanent back teeth (molars). These teeth naturally have deep grooves and pits where food particles and bacteria can become trapped, making them more difficult to clean with a toothbrush.

Sealants act as a protective barrier by sealing these grooves and preventing food and bacteria from collecting in them, significantly reducing the risk of cavities.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend sealants for most children soon after their permanent first and second molars erupt—typically around ages 6 and 12.

Applying sealants is quick, comfortable, and completely painless. No drilling or numbing is needed.

Yes.  Most children need help brushing their teeth long after they want to do it themselves.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that parents supervise and assist with brushing until children develop the coordination and dexterity to brush effectively on their own—typically around 7 years of age. Even older children may occasionally need reminders or assistance to ensure they are brushing thoroughly.

Young children often miss important areas, especially along the gumline and the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, where cavities commonly develop.

Brush your child’s teeth twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.

  • Children younger than 3 years: Use a smear (rice grain-sized) amount of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Children 3 to 6 years old: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. For the most effective cleaning, use a gentle Modified Bass brushing technique:
    1. Hold the toothbrush at about a 45-degree angle toward the gumline.
    2. Place the bristles so they gently touch both the teeth and the gums.
    3. Using small, gentle circular or vibrating motions, clean two to three teeth at a time.
    4. Move systematically around the mouth, cleaning the outside, inside, and chewing surfaces of every tooth.
    5. For the inside surfaces of the front teeth, hold the toothbrush vertically and use gentle up-and-down strokes.
    6. Brush for at least two minutes, twice a day.


Avoid scrubbing aggressively. Gentle, thorough brushing removes plaque more effectively and helps protect the gums and tooth enamel.

Children learn by watching their parents. Make brushing a fun part of your daily routine by:

  • Brushing together as a family
  • Using a two-minute timer or playing a favorite song
  • Offering praise and encouragement
  • Allowing your child to choose their own toothbrush and toothpaste (appropriate for their age)


Consistency is the key to developing healthy lifelong habits.

Flossing should begin as soon as two teeth touch each other. Toothbrush bristles cannot effectively clean between teeth, making flossing an important part in preventing cavities and maintaining healthy gums.

Healthy Habits

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends limiting juice and other sugary beverages because frequent exposure to sugar is one of the leading causes of tooth decay in children.

Water and plain milk are the best beverage choices for maintaining healthy teeth and supporting your child’s overall health.

While 100% fruit juice contains vitamins, it also contains natural sugars and low PH that can contribute to cavities when consumed frequently.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends:

  • Children younger than 1 year: No fruit juice.
  • Children 1–3 years: Limit juice to 4 ounces (½ cup) per day.
  • Children 4–6 years: Limit juice to 4–6 ounces per day.
  • Children 7–18 years: Limit juice to 8 ounces (1 cup) per day.


Whenever possible, offer whole fruit instead of juice. Whole fruit provides fiber and is a healthier choice.

Never put your child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup containing milk, juice, formula, or other sweetened beverages. During sleep, saliva production decreases, allowing sugars to remain on he teeth longer and significantly increasing the risk of early childhood cavities.

Pacifiers can be a helpful way to comfort infants and may even reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) during sleep in the first year of life. However, as children grow, prolonged pacifier use can begin to affect the development of the teeth and jaws.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends encouraging children to discontinue pacifier use by 2 to 3 years of age to minimize the risk of developing orthodontic problems.

Most children naturally stop using a pacifier on their own. However, prolonged use beyond the toddler years may contribute to:

  • An open bite (front teeth do not touch)
  • Increased overjet (“buck teeth”)
  • Crossbites
  • Changes in jaw development
  • Speech concerns in some children


The longer and more frequently a child uses a pacifier, the greater the likelihood of these changes occurring.

Cavity Treatment

Not necessarily. Every cavity is different, and the best treatment depends on several factors, including the size of the cavity, its location, your child’s age, symptoms, cavity risk, and whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth.

At Kid Friendly Dentistry, our goal is to recommend the least invasive treatment that will safely and effectively protect your child’s oral health.

No. Many parents are surprised to learn that Dr. Mizani does not use numbing injection for most filling on primary teeth.

Whether local anesthesia is needed depends on several factors, including:

  • Type of Treatment needed (fillings, crowns, extraction)
  • Whether the tooth is a baby tooth or a permanent tooth
  • Your child’s comfort level and ability to cooperate


At Kid Friendly Dentistry, Dr. Mizani believes in providing the least invasive treatment appropriate for each child.

For many fillings on baby teeth, Dr. Mizani is able to complete treatment without a numbing injection by combining gentle techniques with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help children feel relaxed and comfortable.

Avoiding a numbing shot whenever it is safe and appropriate can help reduce anxiety and make the dental experience much more positive for many children.

Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) is a safe, non-invasive medication that can help stop the progression of cavities without drilling. It has been used around the world for many years and is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) as an effective treatment option for managing cavities in selected patients.

SDF works by:

  • Stopping the progression of active tooth decay
  • Strengthening weakened tooth structure
  • Reducing cavity-causing bacteria
  • Helping delay or avoid more invasive treatment in appropriate cases

 


Who is a good candidate for SDF?

SDF may be recommended for:

  • Young children who have difficulty tolerating dental treatment
  • Children with early or moderate cavities in baby teeth
  • Children with special health care needs
  • Patients with a high risk of developing cavities
  • Situations where delaying restorative treatment is appropriate


Every child is different, and Dr. Mizani will determine whether SDF is the best treatment option based on your child’s individual needs.

 

Is SDF a permanent solution?

Not always. While SDF is very effective at stopping many cavities from progressing, some teeth may still require a filling or crown in the future, depending on the size, location, and severity of the cavity.

Regular dental examinations are important to monitor the treated tooth and determine whether additional treatment is needed.

Comfort & Sedation

Yes. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is one of the safest and most commonly used methods of helping children relax during dental treatment. It has been used safely in pediatric dentistry for decades and is endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) when used appropriately.

Nitrous oxide does not put your child to sleep. Instead, it helps children feel calm, comfortable, and less anxious while remaining awake and able to communicate throughout the procedure.

 

Is nitrous oxide safe?

Yes. Nitrous oxide has an excellent safety record when administered by trained dental professionals. Because nitrous oxide is not metabolized by the body, its effects wear off quickly, and most children return to their normal activities shortly after leaving the office.

At Kid Friendly Dentistry:

  • Your child receives a carefully controlled mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen.
  • Your child’s breathing and comfort are continuously monitored throughout treatment.
  • At the end of the appointment, your child breathes 100% oxygen for several minutes to help eliminate the nitrous oxide from the body.

Dental Emergencies

Dental injuries are common during sports, playground activities, and everyday accidents. While they can be frightening, staying calm and acting quickly can make a significant difference in the outcome. 

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends contacting your dentist as soon as possible after any dental injury, especially if your child has:

  • A broken or chipped tooth
  • A loose or displaced tooth
  • A tooth that has been knocked out
  • Bleeding that doesn’t stop
  • Swelling of the face or gums
  • Significant pain


Until your child can be seen:

  • Apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling.
  • Have your child bite gently on clean gauze is there is bleeding.
  • Keep your child as comfortable as possible.
  • Contact our office immediately for instructions.

 

What if a permanent tooth is knocked out?

To improve the chances of saving the tooth:

  • Pick up the tooth only by the crown (the chewing surface). Never touch the root.
  • If the tooth is dirty, gently rinse it with milk or saline for a few seconds. Do not scrub the tooth or remove any attached tissue.
  • If possible, gently place the tooth back into the socket and have your child bite on clean gauze to hold it in place.
  • If you cannot reinsert the tooth, keep it moist by placing it in:
    • Milk (preferred)
    • Saline solution
    • A tooth preservation solution (if available)


Seek emergency dental care immediately. The best chance of saving the tooth is when it is replanted within 30 to 60 minutes.

 

What if a baby tooth is knocked out?

Unlike permanent teeth, baby teeth should generally not be replanted. Attempting to place a baby tooth back into the socket may damage the developing permanent tooth underneath.

Even though the tooth should not be replanted, it is still important to contact our office promptly so we can evaluate your child for additional injuries and determine whether any treatment or follow-up care is needed.

 

Can dental injuries be prevented?

While not every accident can be avoided, many dental injuries can be prevented by:

  • Wearing a properly fitted mouthguard during sports and recreational activities
  • Using helmets when appropriate
  • Following recommended car seat and seatbelt guidelines
  • Childproofing the home for young children

Lip & Tongue Tie ( Frenotomy)

A tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when the band of tissue connecting the tongue to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum) is unusually short, thick, or tight. This may restrict tongue movement and, in some children, affecting feeding, speech, oral hygiene, or other oral functions.

Not every tongue tie requires treatment. We recommend treatment only when the restriction is causing functional concerns.

A lip tie occurs when the tissue connecting the upper lip to the gums (the labial frenulum) is unusually tight or restrictive. In some infants, a lip tie may contribute to feeding difficulties, while in older children it may affect oral hygiene or contribute to spacing concerns.

Treatment is based on your child’s symptoms and function—not simply on the appearance of the tissue.

Signs and symptoms vary depending on your child’s age.

Infants may experience:

  • Difficulty latching during breastfeeding
  • Frequent loss of latch
  • Clicking sounds while feeding
  • Prolonged feeding sessions
  • Poor weight gain
  • Maternal nipple pain during breastfeeding


Other children may experience:

  • Difficulty sticking out the tongue
  • Limited tongue movement
  • Speech concerns
  • Difficulty licking an ice cream cone or playing certain wind instruments


Not all of these symptoms are caused by a tongue tie. A comprehensive evaluation is important to determine whether treatment is appropriate.

No. Not every tongue tie requires treatment.

Many infants, children, and even adults have a tongue tie that does not cause any problems with feeding, speech, oral hygiene, or tongue function. In these cases, treatment may not be necessary.

At Kid Friendly Dentistry, we believe treatment decisions should be based on function—not simply the appearance of the frenulum.

 

When is treatment recommended?

A frenotomy may be recommended when a tongue tie is causing functional problems, such as:

  • Difficulty breastfeeding or bottle feeding
  • Poor latch or prolonged feeding sessions
  • Maternal nipple pain during breastfeeding
  • Poor weight gain related to feeding difficulties
  • Restricted tongue movement
  • Difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene
  • Functional speech concerns (when appropriate)
  • Difficulty eating certain foods or performing normal tongue movements


Every child is different, and the presence of a tongue tie alone does not automatically mean treatment is needed.

Dr. Mizani performs a comprehensive evaluation that includes your child’s medical history, symptoms, tongue function, and oral examination. When appropriate, he may also recommend evaluation or collaboration with your child’s pediatrician, lactation consultant, or speech-language pathologist to ensure the best treatment decision.