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*How
do I find your office?
Glad
you asked! A map and general directions can be found in
our about us section. view now
*Can I fill out your paperwork online?
Absolutely! We currently offer our Registration Forms and
Payment Plans in both English and Spanish and our Records Release in
printable form. They can be faxed to (847)223-1478 or mailed to:
160 Commerce Drive, Suite 100
Grayslake, IL 60030
Click here for a list of available forms.
We also provide an online version in English here.
What
to do in an emergency?
Knowing
what to do in a dental emergency is very important. Find
helpful tips on exactly what to do if a emergency happens
in your family. view
now
Can
I learn more about the Staff?
Sure,
Kids Dentist Staff information and photographs are part
of this site. view now
Which Insurance Plans will you accept?
Kids Dentist can submit insurance for you if all of the necessary information is
received and verified prior to your appointment. Some plans require you to see
an in-network or participating dentist; if this is the case, your insurance will not
pay for appointments here. We do participate with some plans (Delta Dental
Premier and BlueCross BlueShield FEP).
With some other plans we are a specialist and a referral is required from your
general dentist (First Commonwealth and DeltaCare). If you have questions, you
are best served to call the customer service number on your insurance card or
contact your Human Resources department at the place of employment.
WHEN
SHOULD MY CHILD FIRST SEE A DENTIST? Your
child should visit a pediatric dentist by 2 to 2 ½ years
of age. Early examination and preventative care will protect
your child's smile now and in the future. Some children
benefit from an even earlier examination if they have
been on the bottle past one year of age.
WHAT
DENTAL PROBLEMS COULD A BABY HAVE? The
most important reason for an earlier visit is a practical
prevention program. A big concern is nursing or baby bottle
tooth decay. Your baby risks severe decay when he or she
nurses continuously from the breast or from a bottle of
milk, formula or juice during naps or at night. The earlier
the dental visit, the better the chance of preventing
dental problems. Children with healthy teeth chew food
easily, learn to speak clearly and smile with confidence.
Start your child now on a lifetime of good dental habits.
HOW
CAN I PREVENT TOOTH DECAY FROM NURSING OR A BOTTLE?
Don't nurse your child to sleep or put her to bed with
a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquid.
While a child sleeps, any unswallowed liquid in the mouth
supports bacteria that produce acids and attack the teeth.
Protect your child from severe tooth decay by putting
him/her to bed with nothing more than a pacifier or bottle
of water.
HOW
DO I MAKE MY CHILD'S DIET SAFE FOR HIS TEETH? First,
be sure he has a balanced diet. Then, check how frequently
he eats foods with sugar or starch in them. Foods with
starch include breads, crackers, pasta and such snacks
as pretzels and potato chips. When checking for sugar,
look beyond the sugar bowl and candy dish. A variety of
foods contain one or more types of sugar and all types
of sugars can promote dental decay. Fruits, a few vegetables
and most milk products have at least one type of sugar.
Sugar can be found in many processed foods, even some
that do not taste sweet. For example, a peanut butter
and jelly sandwich no only has sugar in the jelly, but
may have sugar added to the peanut butter. Sugar is also
added to such condiments as catsup and salad dressings.
SHOULD
MY CHILD GIVE UP ALL FOODS WITH SUGAR OR STARCH? Certainly
not! Many provide nutrients your child needs. You simply
need to select and serve them wisely. A food with sugar
or starch is safer for teeth if it's eaten with a meal,
not as a snack. Sticky foods, such as dried fruit or toffee,
are not easily washed away from the teeth by saliva, water
or milk. So, they have more cavity-causing potential than
foods more rapidly cleared from the teeth.
WHEN
SHOULD I START CLEANING MY BABY'S TEETH? The
sooner the better! Starting at birth, clean your baby's
gums with a clean damp washcloth. Use a tiny dab of fluoride
toothpaste if your pediatric dentist advises fluoride
protection. Later, brush your child's teeth with fluoride
toothpaste and a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Remember
that most small children do not have the dexterity to
brush their teeth effectively.
ANY
ADVICE ON TEETHING?
From six months to age 3, your child may have sore gums
when teeth erupt. Many babies like a clean teething ring,
cool spoon or cold wet washcloth. Some parents swear by
a chilled teething ring; others simply rub the baby's
gums with a clean finger.
SHOULD
I WORRY ABOUT THUMB OR FINGER SUCKING? Thumb
sucking is perfectly normal for infants; most stop by
age 2. If your child doesn't, discourage it after age
4. Prolonged thumb sucking can create crowded crooked
teeth or bite problems. Your pediatric dentist will be
glad to suggest ways to address a prolonged thumb-sucking
habit.
CAN
ALL CHILDREN GROW UP CAVITY-FREE? Ten
years ago, we might have said no, but today's research
and new, easy-to-follow professional advice indeed make
it possible for almost every child to grow up cavity-free.
WHAT
GUIDELINES WILL HELP CHILDREN REMAIN CAVITY-FREE? The
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises: Brush
with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day. Floss children's
teeth once a day until they are able to do it themselves-around
age 10. Get enough fluoride through drinking water, fluoride
products and, when indicated, through fluoride supplements.
Have sealants applied to the chewing surface of permanent
back teeth or molars soon after they come in. Snack moderately-no
more than twice a day.
WHAT
ARE DENTAL SEALANTS?
Dental sealants protect the chewing surfaces of back teeth
where most cavities in children are found. Made of clear
or shaded plastic, sealants are painted onto the tiny
grooves and depressions in the molars. By "sealing out"
food and plaque, sealants reduce the risk of decay. They
are quickly and painlessly applied to any permanent teeth
that, in the dentist's opinion, are likely to develop
decay on the biting surface. Sealants must be checked
periodically and replaced when necessary, though they
generally last for several years. |
