Welcome, Parents!


Looking for compassionate pediatric dentist for your child? You’ve come to the right place. Dr. Kwon Pediatric Dentistry provides pediatric dental care you can trust in a fun, friendly setting.

Your child’s teeth from birth to adulthood

Your child’s teeth and jaw will undergo many changes from the time they’re born until they reach full maturity as adults. Here’s a look at the stages of dental development.

Infant/toddler:

Babies are born with 20 primary teeth situated just under their gums. These teeth, like adult teeth, vary in shape, size, and location. Their differences all work together for a purpose – to help kids chew comfortably, speak clearly, and smile happily. They also help form and shape the mouth, jaw, and face.

Baby teeth begin to erupt at around 6 months of age and sprout over the next few years until all 20 (10 upper and 10 lower) have made an appearance. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends children start going to the dentist by age 1 or within 6 months of their first tooth.

Young children:

Most often, children will begin to lose their primary teeth around age 6, but it can happen any time between the ages of 4 and 7.

Typically, the first baby teeth to fall out are the two bottom teeth, followed by the two top front teeth. These are called the lower and upper central incisors. Usually the lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars follow. Expect your child to lose their baby molars between ages 10 to 12.

Teens:

Adult molars emerge around age 13. By age 21, your adult child should have a full set of 32 permanent teeth. That’s 12 more than they were born with – 6 additional teeth on the upper jaw, and 6 more on the lower jaw. Four of those new ones are the wisdom teeth, which usually erupt between ages 17 and 21.

Before Your First Visit:

To save you time on your visit, you can fill out or update your patient information forms before your appointment. That allows us to get to your child’s dental exam quickly.

We may call or contact you before your scheduled visit to confirm the appointment time with you. To reschedule or cancel your appointment, please contact or call us at least 24 hours prior to your appointment time.

Appointment Policy

We will work with your schedule to arrange the most convenient appointment time for you and your child. We are also happy to provide your child with a school excuse if needed.

We recommend that preschool-age children or those having extensive treatment come in early in the morning. Our ability to communicate effectively and create a positive dental experience is greater when your child’s alertness and energy levels are at their peak.

Follow-Up

Following your child’s visit, focus on a healthy diet and consistent dental routine to help your child enjoy healthy smiles for life. We encourage you to monitor your child’s dental hygiene habits and guide them in brushing and flossing to help lower their risk of cavities. Scheduling regular visits can help your child maintain optimal oral health and make sure they’re growing into a strong, healthy smile.

We love hearing about conversations you have at home about your child’s smile, and we’re here to answer any questions you or your child may have about their teeth. We believe in education and prevention, both in the office and at home, and we want to make sure we’re right by your side along the way.

Financing Options and Insurance Providers

We accept PPO private insurance plans and Georgia Medicaid plans.

For your convenience, we file your dental claims directly with your carrier to estimate your expected insurance coverage prior to providing services. We will make arrangements with you for any remaining fees to be paid on the date of service. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and personal checks.

We will ask you for your insurance information when you make your child’s appointment so that we may confirm your plan coverage prior to your visit. Also, we ask that you bring your dental insurance card to your first appointment so we can make a copy for our records.

It is important to note that estimated insurance coverage is not a guarantee of payment. Our treatment and financial arrangements are an agreement between you and our practice. Please do not hesitate to ask us to review your specific financial needs if a question arises.

We are happy to contact your carrier and gather the information you need to fully understand your coverage. Contact us to schedule an appointment and to learn more about insurance and financing options.

Do You Need Form 3300 Filled Out?

Georgia Department of Public Health Form 3300 ensures each new student attending a Georgia public school for the first time is screened for any health issues. This form is a certificate of vision, hearing, dental, and nutrition screening that is required for enrollment in a Georgia public school. We’ll perform your child’s dental health exam and fill out the form for you, so you don’t have to worry.

Your First Visit

Preventative Care

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FAQ

  • When should I schedule my child’s first visit to the dentist?

    We recommend that you make an appointment to see the dentist as soon as your child gets their first tooth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children be seen by six months after their first tooth erupts, or at one year of age, whichever comes first.

  • How is a pediatric dentist different from other dentists?

    All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and others) begin by completing dental school, then continue their education with several years of additional specialized training. During training in the field of pediatric dentistry, your doctor gained extensive knowledge and experience in treating infants, children, and adolescents. Pediatric dentists enjoy working with children, and bring to each patient our expertise in childhood development and behavior. Because our office is geared toward young visitors, you'll find that our staff, office design, decorations, and activities all work together to provide an especially friendly and comfortable environment for children.

  • What happens during my child’s first visit to the dentist?

    The first visit is usually short and simple. In most cases, we focus on getting to know your child and giving you some basic information about dental care. The doctor will check your child’s teeth for placement and health, and will look for any potential problems with the gums and jaw. If necessary, we may do a bit of cleaning. We will also answer any questions you have about how to care for your child’s teeth as they develop and provide you with materials containing helpful tips that you can refer to at home.

  • How can I prepare for my child’s first dental appointment?

    The best preparation for your child’s first visit to our office is maintaining a positive attitude. Children pick up on adults’ apprehensions, and if you make negative comments about trips to the dentist you can be sure that your child will fear an unpleasant experience and act accordingly. Let your child know that it’s important to keep their teeth and gums healthy, and that the doctor will help them do that. Remember that your dentist is specially trained to handle fears and anxiety, and our staff excels at putting children at ease during treatment.

  • How often should my child visit the dentist?

    We generally recommend scheduling checkups every six months. Depending on the circumstances of your child’s oral health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

  • Baby teeth aren’t permanent. Why do they need special care?

    Although they don’t last as long as permanent teeth, your child’s first teeth play an important role in his or her development. While they’re in place, these primary teeth help your little one speak, smile, and chew properly. They also hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. If a child loses a tooth too early due to damage or decay, nearby teeth may encroach on that space, which can result in crooked or misplaced permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health is affected by the oral health of the teeth and gums.

  • What’s the best way to clean my baby’s teeth?

    Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, we recommend you clean their gums after feedings with a damp, soft washcloth. As soon as the first tooth appears, you can start using a toothbrush. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head. You most likely can find a toothbrush designed for infants at your local drugstore.

  • At what age is it appropriate to use toothpaste to clean my child’s teeth?

    Once your child has a few teeth, you can start using toothpaste on the brush. Use only a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) for each cleaning. Always have your child rinse and spit out toothpaste after brushing. Children naturally want to swallow toothpaste after brushing, and swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause teeth to stain. You should brush your child’s teeth for them until they are ready to take on that responsibility, which usually happens by age six or seven.

  • What causes cavities?

    Certain types of bacteria live in our mouths. When these bacteria come into contact with sugary foods left behind on our teeth after eating, acids are produced. These acids attack the enamel on the exterior of the teeth, eventually eating through the enamel and creating holes in the teeth, which we call cavities.

  • How can I help my child avoid cavities?

    Be sure that your child brushes their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Flossing daily is also important, because flossing can reach spots between the teeth that brushing can’t. Check with your pediatric dentist about a fluoride supplement, which helps tooth enamel become harder and more resistant to decay. Avoid sugary foods and drinks, limit snacking, and maintain a healthy diet. And finally, make regular appointments so that we can check the health of your child’s teeth and provide professional cleanings.

  • Does my child need dental sealants?

    Sealants cover the pits and fissures in teeth that are difficult to brush and therefore susceptible to decay. We recommend sealants as a safe, simple way to help your child avoid cavities, especially for molars, which are hardest to reach.

  • My child plays sports. How can I protect their teeth?

    Even children’s sports involve contact, and we recommend mouthguards for children active in sports. If your little one plays baseball, soccer, or other sports, ask us about having a custom-fitted mouthguard made to protect their teeth, lips, cheeks, and gums.

  • When should my child have dental X-rays taken?

    We recommend taking X-rays around the age of two or three. The first set consists of simple pictures of the front upper and lower teeth, which familiarizes your child with the process. Once the baby teeth in back are touching one another, then regular (at least yearly) X-rays are recommended. Permanent teeth start coming in around age six, and X-rays help us make sure your child’s teeth and jaw are healthy and properly aligned. If your child is at a high risk of dental problems, we may suggest having X-rays taken at an earlier age.

  • Can I stay with my child during treatment?

    You’re welcome to stick around for your child’s regular exam, but your child will better focus on doctor’s directions if you’re not in the room during a more involved treatment. Always check directly with the practice manager or doctor for your particular situation.

  • I want to video-record the procedure. May I?

    To comply with Federal HIPAA regulations, we do not allow the use of cell phones or recording devices in the clinical area of our offices.

  • How long is a typical visit?

    A dental cleaning typically takes about 30 minutes, but may be longer or shorter based on the patient's age, behavior, and hygiene. Appliances such as braces can also lengthen the amount of time for the appointment. Other types of appointments may be longer or shorter, depending on what treatment is being completed. We work on kid time and never want to rush a patient into compliance.

  • Can I get a medical note for my child’s absence from school?

    Yes, we are happy to provide a school note for the day a patient is seen in our office. Procedures completed in our offices generally do not require extended absences from school.

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