Spokane Valley: (509) 926-1234

Airway Heights: (509) 503-1234

Spokane Valley:
(509) 926-1234
Airway Heights:
(509) 503-1234

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a collection of questions we get asked a lot. We’ve done our best to provide answers and advice to each of them below.

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How early should I take my child to the dentist?

Your child should see the dentist within six months of his or her first tooth erupting, or by his or her first birthday. Routine visits after that will let our doctors monitor your child’s growth.

How often should my child see the dentist?

We recommend routine dental visits for your child approximately every 6 months. This will let Dr. Blake and Dr. Ryan assess the condition of your child’s oral health and prescribe treatment if needed.

When will my child’s teeth come in?

Everybody has two sets of teeth. Our primary teeth start to erupt in the front of the mouth at around 6-8 months old. The last to come in will be the back molars, typically around 25-33 months old. Children shed primary (baby) teeth in the same order. The front will shed around 6-7 years old, and the back molars around 10-12 years old. Once we’ve lost a primary tooth, it is replaced by a permanent tooth.

What happens at our first visit?

For your child’s first visit, Dr. Blake and Dr. Ryan will take time to get to know your child and develop a relationship. Once your child feels comfortable, we will perform a thorough examination of their teeth, gums, and jaw. We will take safe digital X-rays to check on structural health and make sure everything is as it should be. All the while, we will explain what we are doing, keeping the atmosphere light and cheery.

Why is it important to keep my child’s primary teeth healthy?

If a child develops tooth decay and it is not taken care of, it will eventually burrow into the sensitive nerve endings, causing a lot of pain. Also, primary teeth pave the way for permanent teeth. So when primary teeth are healthy, it is very likely that permanent teeth will also come in healthy.

Is sedation safe for children?

We have been using sedation safely for many years at KidSmile Dental to help alleviate anxiety and keep children’s dental visits positive. Dr. Blake and Dr. Ryan would never use a form of sedation that they wouldn’t feel safe and comfortable using on their own children. Visit our Services page to read more about safe sedation!

What if I don’t have dental insurance?

We offer many different payment options at KidSmile Dental. From payment plans to Medicaid, we have a number of payment solutions for most financial situations. Visit our financial page for more info.

My child is scared to go to the dentist! What should I do?

Dr. Blake, Dr. Ryan, and the KidSmile team are fun-loving and friendly. They have lots of experience with dental anxiety and know how to calm those nerves with a gentle spirit and calm demeanor. In extreme cases, we have relaxing sedation options that can be administered.

We have more FAQs about dental emergencies here

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Schedule an appointment

We are very excited to get to know you and your child!
Call us on one of the numbers below to schedule an appointment or use the form to contact us, and we'll call you back!

Together, let’s start your child’s journey towards a healthy smile!

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