San Antonio Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

Yes, we do! 🥳💚

As pediatric dentists, we train for 2-3 years after dental school and dedicate ourselves to meet the needs of all children. The purpose of special needs dentistry is to accommodate and treat patients who require special consideration due to physical, medical, cognitive or developmental conditions.

The wires and bands on your braces may come loose 😯.

If this happens, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can check and repair your appliance 📲. If any piece of your appliance comes off, be sure to save it and bring it to the office with you.

You can temporarily fix the loose wire by using the back of a spoon or the eraser end of a pencil to carefully and gently push the wire back into place. If the loose wire is causing irritation to your lips or cheeks, put wax or a wet cotton ball over the broken wire to relieve the pain. 🦷💚

We have great news for athletes! ⛷️🏓🏀
You can still play sports even while undergoing orthodontic treatment! If you do play sports, it’s recommended that you wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and your appliance. Let your doctor know if you need help finding the right mouthguard for the best protection.
In case of a sports emergency, be sure to immediately check your mouth and appliance for damage. If you notice any loose teeth or appliance damage, please contact our office right away. You can temporarily relieve the discomfort by applying wax or rinsing your mouth with warm saltwater. 💚🦷

On behalf of the San Marcos and San Antonio dental team, we would like to wish you an excellent day! 💚🦷
"The miracle is not that we do the work, but that we are happy to do it."
— Mother Teresa

1️⃣ Brush twice every day. The most important time to brush is before bed once your child has had their last food and drink for the day. 🌤️🌄

2️⃣ Prepare the toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Your little one has little teeth, so they do not need as much toothpaste as you do. This will help prevent them from accidentally swallowing any of the toothpaste. 🦷

3️⃣ Find a comfortable position for your toddler. A step stool is a good way to make sure they are not straining to reach the mirror. 👀😷

4️⃣ The toothbrush should be positioned so that it is at a 45-degree angle toward the gum line. A gentle circular motion and back and forth motion should cover the full surface of each tooth. 💚

If you are a new parent looking for first-time tips or searching for the solution to a reluctant brusher, don't worry. Your favorite pediatric dentist from San Antonio and San Marcos is here to help! 🥳🤗💚

Brushing your teeth is a key part of good oral hygiene and a bright, happy, and healthy smile 🤩. However, that does not mean that brushing your kid’s teeth (or convincing them that it is a good idea) is always easy. 😅

Do you know what the most common childhood disease is? It’s tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by poor oral hygiene, bad brushing habits, and too few dentist visits. 😲

Brushing your teeth prevents plaque build-up, which is the cause of cavities, unhealthy gums, and gingivitis. Children should begin brushing as soon as their first tooth comes in. By brushing early, you are preventing cavities from the beginning as well as promoting life-long healthy dental habits. 🦷💚

Happy back to school! 💚🤩🥳
we wish you a positive and pleasant experience from the San Marcos and San Antonio pediatric dentist offices.💚📚📕

For both adults and children, an excellent dental experience is important to maintaining healthy teeth and a confident smile. So, finding the right fit is critical. 🤗💚
The most important aspect of practice is experience. There is a big difference between an adult or family dentist and a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentists complete years of extra schooling to understand and handle the complex needs that come with dental development. These specialized practices also foster a kid-friendly environment. 🦷👶🏼👶🏼

As your children grow 👶🏼, so do their teeth 🦷. From teething babies to teenagers with braces, their teeth grow through a lot. San Marcos & San Antonio Pediatric Dentistry explains the process of tooth development in babies through permanent teeth. ⤴️🦷
Typically babies begin teething at four to 6️⃣ months old. Teething is genetic and often depends on when the parents teethed as babies. Babies tend to cut their lower front teeth first. Signs of teething include excessive drooling, a mouth rash from drooling, a low-grade fever, chewing on hands and other objects, and fussiness. 💚
By age 3️⃣, children have all of their teeth. Children then start losing their teeth around age 6️⃣. The children’s teeth typically fall out in the order they came in. The lower front teeth first and eventually their molars.
While it is possible for children to lose their teeth before the adult tooth underneath starts to erupt, teeth typically start to loosen because of the adult teeth erupting below. As children lose their baby teeth, their adult teeth grow in but do not cause as much pain and discomfort as when they first cut teeth as a baby. 👶🏼

Sucking is a natural reflex and infants and young children may use thumbs, fingers, pacifiers and other objects on which to suck. It may make them feel secure and happy, or provide a sense of security at difficult periods. Since thumb sucking is relaxing, it may induce sleep. 😴👶🏼
Thumb sucking that persists beyond the eruption of the permanent teeth can cause problems with the proper growth of the mouth and tooth alignment. Children should cease thumb sucking by the time their permanent front teeth are ready to erupt. Usually, children stop between the ages of two and four. 😯🙌

Benefits of Using Floss! 😍👍🏻🦷

Flossing gets rid of food debris that gets caught between teeth. That debris is a breeding ground for bacteria and contributes to plaque buildup.

Flossing is an important step in preventing cavities, bad breath and most importantly gum disease. If plaque isn’t removed, it not only affects the teeth but the gum tissue itself, which can lead to big problems down the road.

We are looking for a Front Desk Coordinator to join our family!

https://sanmarcospd.bamboohr.com/hiring/jobs/27 #:~:text=https%3A//sanmarcospd.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php%3Fid%3D27%26source%3DaWQ9Mw%253D%253D

Login – San Antonio|San Marcos Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics

What is considered a dental emergency?😟🚑

A dental emergency, just like ER visits, are a parent’s nightmare. When your child is experiencing a dental problem, your first call should be your dentist. However, sometimes the dentist is closed, like for holidays or the weekend. In these cases, you have to visit the ER or an emergency dentist. But what is considered a dental emergency? Most problems can wait until regular office hours. But if your child is experiencing severe dental pain, excessive bleeding, or major tooth damage, it’s time to call your emergency dentist. ‼️💢

Protecting Your Little One’s Teeth ✅

The best way to avoid dental emergencies in your household is to stay proactive in your child’s preventative care! Healthy teeth and good oral hygiene will fight off more than bad breath. It also means that your children will avoid severe complications like advanced decay or weak enamel. In addition to dental care, it’s also important to make sure that everyone in the family wears appropriate protective gear when playing sports like football, skateboarding, wrestling, and more. Protecting smiles today also helps protect them tomorrow! 🦷

Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of good oral hygiene. Besides keeping your teeth and gums healthy, a regular dental cleaning allows your dentist to get a look at what’s going on with your teeth so that issues like cavities or gingivitis can be treated early. 💚🦷

Here are the 4 benefits of dental cleaning:
1️⃣ Cavities are prevented.
2️⃣ Bad breath is reduced.
3️⃣ It brightens your smile.
4️⃣ Your overall health is boosted.

At San Marcos and San Antonio Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we recommend that patients do a dental visit at least every 6 months for a dental cleaning. 💚👩🏻‍⚕️👨🏻‍⚕️

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What is Early Treatment? 🧐🤓
Early treatment—also known as Phase I—typically begins between ages 7-9, while Phase II will begin around age eleven or older.
During your visit the doctor will evaluate your child’s growth and development and provide you with a detailed plan for your child’s treatment.
The goal of early treatment is to develop the jaws to allow the most ideal dental development and create the best foundation for your child’s future bite and smile. Phase 1 is limited treatment to assist in the growth of the jaw, correcting any habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, or crossbites. Getting an early start depends on several different factors but we try to keep this orthodontic treatment under 12 months. This is to help decrease an aggressive lengthy time in orthodontic treatment later.

Our journey to a better smile starts here! 😷😁
• Step 1️⃣
Complimentary Evaluation
Come in for a free exam where we will determine your child’s specific orthodontic needs.
• Step 2️⃣
Treatment Plan
We'll customize a treatment plan specific to your child's unique needs so you can get started with confidence.
• Step 3️⃣
Your New Smile
With a little time and work, it'll be time to unveil your child's new masterpiece smile. Ta-daah!

Opinions! 🤗👍
We're always working hard to make sure that visits go smoothly. Our goal is a positive experience for all involved so we are happy that we were able to provide that to your family. - SAPD Family -🦷💚

Why Invisalign? 🦷🤔

Invisalign are clear aligners, a clear alternative to braces. Invisalign is flexible to your daily lifestyle because the trays are removable to be able to eat and drink. This can make brushing and flossing much easier as well. At your orthodontic consultation, we can weigh the options and discuss if this is the best fit for you and your child.
Orthodontic treatment can seem overwhelming but we have it down to a science. We will make sure you and your child are comfortable every step of the way. During the first appointment, we will answer any questions and give you a thorough rundown of what to expect.

What causes crooked teeth? 🦷🤔
Crowded teeth, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, facial injuries and premature loss of baby teeth can all contribute to poor tooth positioning. Hereditary and genetics such as tooth shape and tooth size, jaw size, missing teeth and malocclusions can also contribute to crooked teeth. An orthodontist will evaluate to determine what is the cause and the best way and time to address it.

Eating with braces 🦷🤓

Hard foods can do damage by bending wires, loosening the bands or breaking brackets away for teeth. Broken brackets can result in inconvenient repair appointments and an overall longer treatment time.

❌ Foods to avoid:

- Crunchy foods: popcorn, hard chips, crunchy granola bars. 🥜
- Hard foods: nuts, ice, hard rolls or pizza crust 🍕
- Sticky foods: gum, carmel, starburst. 🍬🍭
- Foods that require biting into: apples, corn on the cob, carrots. 🍎
- Non-Edible: pens, pencils, fingernails. 🖍️✏️
- Highly acidic foods: lemons and limes. 🍈
Let’s not forget drinks that contain sugar and high acidity too. Be careful with any kind of soda, coffee, gatorade and sweet tea too. After drinking these, rinsing with water can reduce the acid or sugar on your teeth until you can brush. 🦷👅

Visiting the dentist is FUN! 🥳🦷💚

We want to make visiting the dentist to be comfortable and enjoyable for our patients. We have equipped our office with learning games and activities for children. We have also included a playground in the waiting room to make their visit as fun as possible. As pediatric dentists, we’re trained to provide efficient, playful, and comfortable treatment for children and teenagers.💚🧒🏽👶🏻👧🏿👦🏼

We take care of the oral health of your children!
With different backgrounds and skills, we come together to be one well-rounded and inclusive family. We are all on one team with the mission to serve our community and our patients each and every day.
With a goal to provide exceptional service, everyone on our team has advanced training and the certifications necessary to deliver expert dental and orthodontic care for your family.

How do teeth move? 😷💚

Tooth movement is a natural response to light pressure over a period of time. Pressure is applied by using a variety of orthodontic appliances. The most common orthodontic hardwear are braces or brackets attached to the teeth and connected by an arch wire. Periodically changing these arch wires puts pressure on the teeth. At different stages of treatment your child may wear headgear, elastics, a positioner or a retainer. Most orthodontic appointments are scheduled 4 to 6 weeks apart to give the teeth time to move.

Why is it important to have orthodontic treatment at a young age? 🦷🤔
Research has shown that serious orthodontic problems can be more easily corrected when the patient’s skeleton is still growing and flexible.
We can prepare the mouth for the eventual eruption of the permanent teeth by correcting the skeletal problems at a younger age.
If the permanent teeth have adequate space to erupt they will come in fairly straight. If the teeth erupt fairly straight, their tendency to get crooked again after the braces come off is diminished significantly.

Why are sealants recommended?🤔🦷
A sealant is a thin coating that covers and protects the chewing surfaces of teeth with deep grooves, pits or fissures, usually molars and premolars. This coating protects teeth from acidic food, plaque, and bacteria that cause cavities.

Why choose a pediatric dentist? 🤔

We believe that children deserve a dental experience that is built for them and only them. 🦷💚

We are specifically trained to work with little ones-everything from comprehensive dental needs to our chairside manner. We work hard to make them feel happy and relaxed. 👶🏻👧🏻

The result? Empowered kids and parents dedicated to their dental health.

Customized Finances for Your Needs! 🦷💚

Our goal is to eliminate all barriers from your child receiving dental treatment. We will work with you and your family to determine payment plans that work best for your particular situation. 👏🏻🙌🏻

We also accept most common insurance providers. If you have questions about your particular insurance, call our office. 👶🏻👇🏻
We’ll be happy to answer your questions prior to your appointment. 💚🙋🏻‍♀️

FAQ 💚🦷

Can I be in the room with my child during their dental visit? 🤔👧🏻
Absolutely! We encourage our parents to be there too. We believe that parents need to be involved in the oral health of their children. We want to hear your concerns and for you to feel comfortable with our team.💚🦷

For the dental health of our patients, we feel that our team, our patients and their parents together form the optimal dental partnership. We appreciate the involvement of our parents.🙌🏻👏🏻

Pediatric crowns, also known as “caps”, are prefabricated full coverage restorations cemented to the prepared tooth. There are many types of dental crowns ranging from stainless steel (metal), partial metal and resin, ceramic /porcelain (white) crowns. 😎🦷

One of the best dental restorative is Zirconia crowns, as they seamlessly blend in with your child’s other teeth. Because they are constructed of a solid monolithic zirconia ceramic, they do not chip, discolor, or breakdown over time. 👏🏻🤗

This does not affect the eruption of permanent teeth. 👶🏻🦷