Fredericksburg Parent

www.FredericksburgParent.NET 13 Sponsored Material Q: How did you become interested in dentistry? Dr. Kato: I was exposed to dentistry at an early age as my father is a den- tist. I got to see the impact he had on our community, which is something I've always loved. A smile is so important—you take it with you everywhere you go. I love working with children so I always knew when I decided on dentistry that pediatrics would be my interest. I believe if you can shape a child's dental experience to be a positive one, those effects will be life-long and continuous and ultimately result in great overall oral health and care. Q: At what age should children first see a dentist? Dr. Kato: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends chil- dren see a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by age 1. Although this may seem young, it's an important time to start delivering oral hygiene instructions, oral health examinations and preventa- tive care. In addition, developing a relationship with a "dental home," or a consistent provider of comprehensive dental care, is extremely beneficial and important. Q: Any tips for how to prepare little ones to visit the dentist? Dr. Kato: Yes! I recommend showing them cartoons, videos or books fea- turing their favorite characters visiting the dentist's office. While brushing at home, practice opening and closing on command and explain how the toothbrush may tickle and clean their teeth. We try to use fun phrases to keep the kids excited about the visit! Q: What are the most common problems you encounter with young patients? Dr. Kato: The most common problem can be the belief that baby teeth are not important and will "fall out on their own." While that is true, a child doesn't lose their last tooth until the age of 12, so it's very important we still are diligent with taking care of the baby teeth just like the perma- nent teeth. Losing teeth early can lead to space loss in the future, the need for corrective orthodontics and can impact your child's ability to eat comfortably. Q: Let's Smile offers dental and orthodontic services, correct? Can you explain the role a pediatric dentist plays in helping parents understand when their child may need an orthodontic consult? Dr. Kato: Yes! We offer both Orthodontic and Pediatric services; our patients are closely monitored to determine when they are ready for an orthodontic consult. This typically happens around the age of 8-9 years old when they have both permanent and baby teeth present. The consultation is free and will tell you if and when the timing of treatment should start. Q: What's a tip for parents who want to encourage better dental health in their kids? Dr. Kato: My best tip would be to keep brushing and make it fun for the kids. Try incentives and rewards for constantly brushing and remind them that it is not necessarily a bad thing if you have to make a trip to the dentist. We are here to help! To learn more, visit letssmile.com. • Locally based practice started by a longtime orthodontist who saw the need for families to have more convenient options for dental specialties. • Eight offices throughout the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia areas. • Offering pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and oral surgery. • Family-friendly payment plans for orthodontics, with low down payments and interest-free financing. • Pediatric dentists make early childhood dental visits easy and fun. • Having orthodontics under the same roof ensures access to important early interventions. • Specialists regularly confer and offer second opinions to ensure the best treatment plan for every patient. • Care team is carefully selected for expertise in their specialty and a drive to constantly improve and provide the best patient care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth, or by age 1. The American Academy of Pediatric The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children see a dentist within six months We accept the following insurance companies: Aetna PPO Anthem PPO Ameritas PPO CareFirst BCBS Delta Dental PPO/Premiere Dominion National PPO Dominion National PPO Guardian PPO GEHA Humana PPO Humana Federal Advantage PPO Liberty Dental Lincoln Financial MetLife PPO SunLife Financial United Concordia United Healthcare VA Medicaid Smiles Children (under 21) 10 Chatham Heights Fredericksburg, VA (540) 785-4494 infofbg@letssmile.com *$99 comprehensive new patient pediatric exam Includes x-rays and cleaning *For patients with no dental insurance. Expires 3/1/23 $250 off for new orthodontic patients Braces & Invisalign ® Expires 3/1/23

• Cover