Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/564986
www.FredParent.NET • 21 Sponsored Material Join us September 10 for the live conversation on Have questions you want to ask Dr. Williams? He will be hosting Ask The Expert live, on our Facebook Page, September 10 th, at 8 pm. Come join the conversation! facebook.com/FredericksburgParent a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: At what age should I make orthodon- tic consultations if I'm concerned that my child may need braces? In our office, orthodontic consultations begin around age 9 unless there is some severe crowding or a skeletal crossbite issue that needs to be cor- rected at an earlier age. Q: Let's talk Invisalign. Is it a good option for teens? Does the process take longer than standard braces? Invisalign is a great option for teens. It gives them the benefits of braces without having to have brackets that can be difficult to keep clean. The process can sometimes be faster than tra- ditional braces, but as with every orthodontic case, it is case specific. Q: At what age should kids get sealants? Is this something adults should get? Sealants are performed on permanent molars and pre-molars when the child's first perma- nent molar erupts (usually at age 6). Adults do not need sealants because they should have proper oral hygiene, however if an adult wants them they can have them. Children need seal- ants because they are still learning how to properly care for their teeth. The sealants are there to prevent any unnecessary cavities. Q: Do pacifiers really cause problems with tooth alignment? Yes, they do. Once the child starts to get their teeth, the force from the suction of the pacifier can cause the child's jaws to become misshapen. Instead of the natural U-shaped arch, the arch becomes more like the shape of a "V" and the teeth are already pre-programmed for the arch to have a "U" shape. This change in arch shape is what leads to the overwhelming amount of crooked, crowded and severe over- bite cases seen in children who have used a pacifier and or who have sucked their thumbs. Q: At what age should kids be allowed to brush their teeth with- out help from an adult? Most children don't develop the fine motor skill and manual dexterity to properly brush their teeth until age 12. However, as a par- ent of four, I have learned that with kids you always want to go behind to check and see how good of a job the child is doing with brushing their teeth. Q: What is the best way to treat coffee stains on teeth? Dental bleaching products are the best way to get rid of any unwanted coffee stains. Depending on how severe the coffee stain is, a patient could either use over-the-counter bleaching products or schedule an appointment for an in-office teeth-whitening session. Q: How does Family First Dental handle children or adults who are scared of the dentist? I am sympathetic to the fears and anxiety that people have at the dentist. I still remember a traumatic occurrence with the dentist when I was 5 years old. I am now in my 30s and still have a vivid memory of that day. This allows me to understand a person's fear and not dismiss it as other doctors may. I take my time to get to know all of my patients (children and adult) so that my staff and I may build trust with them. I have had many parents bring their anxious and nervous child into our office for routine cleanings and some- times all we do is sit, talk and play. It is my philoso- phy that once I have proven my trust to each patient, they will feel confident in the work that I perform causing their fears to subside. However, there are times when an individual's fear requires a medicinal approach and in those instances we offer conscious sedation. Conscious sedation involves a technique of using proven medicine to diminish an adult's fear and anxiety. During sedation I am able to perform the required treatment that is necessary. Family First Dental proudly serves Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the surrounding areas with general and cosmetic dentistry, featuring top-of-the-line equipment and procedures. To make an appointment, please call (540) 786-1212, or log on at yourfamilyfirstdental.com Quality dentistry for the entire family.