Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Many parents have anxiety about dentistry and that can carry over to their children. The truth is that dentistry today has advanced significantly and is friendlier, more comfortable, and less invasive than ever. With the right preventive care, you can help keep your child free from complex treatment from preventable conditions.

That is why it is important to properly prepare your child for their dental visit so that it can be stress-free and productive.

Avoid scary language – Avoid sharing your anxiety with your child. Don’t use scary words such as “needle,” "shot," "drill," and “hurt.” Instead, create a positive tone when it comes to their dental appointment and let them know that everything will be ok. Our team is extremely gentle and compassionate. We are certain your child will enjoy their time with us.

Use positive language – Tell them that the dentist and his team are there to help! Let them know that we will explain procedures and answer any questions. Use gentle terms such as “brush” and “count” when it comes to their teeth.

Tell them about their appointment – Using positive language, tell them about their dental appointment. Help get them excited about all the fun things we have in store for them at our office. We have iPads, a play area, games, toys, and a television at each treatment chair to help them stay entertained and relaxed during treatment.

We know your child’s first dental visit might be more stressful for you than your child! We are here to help explain procedures and put your mind at ease by providing your little ones with the very best dental care possible. We always make appointments fun and enjoyable for our patients.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child visit the dentist for the first time by their first birthday. By the age of one, your child will likely have multiple teeth. As soon as a tooth erupts from the gums, it can be susceptible to decay and gum disease.

Bringing your child into our Burleson, TX dental office by their first birthday allows us to accomplish a number of important steps toward a healthy smile:

Familiarity – Helping your child become familiar with our dental office at an early age will help to eliminate unnecessary anxiety and fear surrounding their appointments. 

Early diagnosis – The earlier we perform a full exam on your child’s existing teeth, the earlier we can diagnose conditions such as decay, gum disease, and growth issues, making immediate treatment possible. This can protect your child from potential dental problems in the future.

Patient and parent education – We know that parents are the first line of defense against decay, the most common preventable childhood health condition. That is why we work closely with you on home care education and what to expect in the coming years.

If your child is over one year of age, don’t worry! We will help your little one get and stay on track for a healthy, happy smile. Give us a call today and one of our helpful and friendly team members can help get you started.

You might think it’s no big deal if your child prematurely loses a baby tooth, also known as a primary tooth. After all, they have plenty of other teeth for chewing, right? In addition to chewing and speaking, baby teeth serve another important purpose. They hold the space for your child’s permanent tooth until it emerges.

When a baby tooth has untreated decay or infection, it can spread to their permanent tooth below.

Typically, children do not lose their baby teeth until their permanent teeth are ready to erupt through the gums. As the permanent tooth grows up through the gums, the baby tooth becomes more unstable and eventually falls out on its own. Sometimes, wiggling and playing with the loose tooth can expedite the process. 

Your child’s baby tooth keeps space in the jaw for your child’s permanent tooth to emerge in the proper location. When trauma or deep decay requires the removal of a baby tooth, the permanent tooth no longer has it as a guide. While it is often possible that your child will still have no problems with their permanent teeth, sometimes they can grow in incorrectly or misaligned.

Preventing decay with brushing, flossing, and routine dental hygiene appointments will help ensure your child’s smile is healthy and functional. If your child has an accident and loses a baby tooth, give us a call. 

Children have unique needs that require a special type of attention. From the language we use to the kid-sized equipment in our office, we are prepared to give your child the specialized care they deserve.

Pediatric dentists spend additional time in dental school to learn the skills and methods to effectively treat young patients. Because kids are still growing, they encounter unique challenges that adults don’t have to face. Pediatric dentists possess a knowledge base about growth anomalies and children's oral health issues that general dentists often are not aware of. Dr. Walton chose to work with kids because he truly cares. He treats each of our patients like he would want his own children to be treated.

In addition to the treatment differences between a pediatric dentist and family dentist, our office is designed just for kids! It is modern, brightly colored, and has a TV at every chair location. To keep your kids entertained, we have toys, games, iPads, and a fun interactive style. We encourage curiosity because we understand that children’s brains are always absorbing information.

Dr. Walton is extremely gentle and will make sure that your child receives the personalized treatment he or she needs based on their own individual oral health needs. We go at your child’s pace and monitor their attention spans so that each experience is a positive one.

We all know that sugary snacks and sodas can cause cavities. But did you know that sports drinks, cereals, crackers, gummy vitamins, and juice can all contribute to dental caries, also known as decay?

Starting your child young with good oral hygiene habits is the best way to prevent cavities. When your child is an infant, you can rub their gums with a damp, soft cloth to remove any bacteria on the gums. As your child’s teeth grow in, you can brush using a specially designed toothbrush just for kids.

When your child is under 3, use only a smear or pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste since your little one will likely swallow it. Daily flossing will also ward off decay as well as prevent gum disease.

One of the most important things you can do to prevent dental cavities is to bring your child in for an exam and cleaning at least every six months. This gives Dr. Walton an opportunity to monitor the oral health of your child and provide preventive or restorative treatment options, when necessary.

We also offer preventive treatments such as fluoride and dental sealants when your little one needs added protection from decay. We can discuss prevention when you bring in your child for a dental exam.

Dr. Walton is passionate about dental care and prevention for kids. He loves working with children and helping their experience be a positive one. In fact, when he designed our office, he really had kids in mind! The layout and decor is kid-friendly, the equipment is child-sized, and we make special accommodations for kids to help them learn, discover, and get comfortable. Each chair has a TV to help keep your little one still and entertained during their procedure. Our waiting area is equipped with toys, games, and iPads to play with while they wait. Parents find that their kids actually enjoy coming to our office and don't want to leave!

We believe in educating both our patients and their parents. Having the right knowledge about how to care for your child’s teeth is the first step to success. We will work with you on your child's home care, what to expect as they grow, and how to help them stop certain habits like eating sweets and thumb sucking. When we work together as a team to protect your little one's smile, your child can enjoy the benefits of good oral health.

Call us today if you have more questions about bringing your child to our office. We are always happy to help so that we can put a smile on your child’s face.