- Do you use amalgam/silver fillings in your practice?
Even though dental amalgam is still widely used and has been proven to be a safe dental material we choose not to use that material in our office. For all of our dental fillings we use composite resin; a white dental filling material that possesses good strength and esthetics.
- What is the cause of bad breath/halitosis?
The most common factor of bad breath/halitosis in children is bacteria. People have millions of bacteria throughout their mouth and many of those bacteria emit a foul smell when they over populate. To help reduce the amount of the bacteria it is important to brush the tongue, floss, and try to incorporate a mouthwash into the daily routine.
- Can I have my child's teeth bleached?
Bleaching is usually not crucial in children and often bi-annual cleanings will correct surface staining. Some children, however, have extremely discolored teeth that can contribute to a negative self image. In these children, bleaching may be indicated after a thorough examination by Dr. Thiel. This is usually done once all the permanent teeth have erupted and no baby teeth are present. Agents include whitening strips or custom plastic trays and a gel based peroxide that is used while sleeping.
- What happens if my child breaks part of their tooth?
Fractured or chipped teeth are fairly common occurrences. Fractures/chips often occur as a result of trauma or due to weakness in the tooth. If your child fractures their tooth, you should contact us for an appointment to evaluate the extent of the injury. When fractured, most teeth can be restored using a white filling material. If a tooth is fractured exposing the nerve, we sometimes place a medicine over the exposed area to help promote the recovery and healing of the nerve tissue.
- My child grinds their teeth at night — is that normal?
Night bruxism/grinding is very common in children, especially prior to the eruption of the permanent first molars. Some children will show signs of this wear on their teeth but usually there is very little sensitivity with these teeth. We do not typically create night-guards to wear for grinding since the habit will most likely depart within a couple of years.
- How does diet effect my child's teeth?
Diet is a very important aspect in dental health. Children with high sugar or carbohydrate diets are at greater risk for developing cavities. In addition frequent eating or snacking throughout the day will increase the risk for cavities as well. Help your child choose healthy low sugar natural snacks and set up a daily routine for their meals and snacks. This will help provide you the good defense against developing dental decay.
- Why should I have fluoride treatments or use fluoride?
The use of fluoride, both in systemic dosages and topical applications, is recommended by the American Dental Association, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatric Medicine, the National Institutes of Health and every dental school in the United States. Fluoride combats tooth decay in two ways. It is incorporated into the structure of developing teeth when it is ingested and also works when it comes in contact with the surface of the teeth. Fluoride prevents the acid produced by the bacteria in plaque from dissolving, or demineralizing, tooth enamel, the hard and shiny substance that protects the teeth. Fluoride also allows teeth damaged by acid to repair, or remineralize, themselves. Fluoride cannot repair cavities, but it can reverse low levels of tooth decay and thus prevent new cavities from forming. If your child is not getting enough fluoride internally through water (especially if the fluoride level is deficient or if your child drinks bottled water without fluoride), then fluoride supplements might need to be prescribed.
- What are your office hours and what should I do in case of an after hour emergency?
Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
In case of an after hour emergency, please call (512) 892-0013 for instructions concerning the on-call dentist.
- Where is your office located?
4701 West Gate Blvd.
Suite B-201
Austin, TX 78745
Please see the Directions page for more information on how to locate us.
- Do you accept insurance?
Thiel Pediatric Dentistry accepts assignment from most insurance companies. We are contracted with several insurance companies but we also file out of network claims for your convenience. Many insurance companies provide the same coverage for out of network dentists depending upon the particular treatment provided. Our staff has years of experience working with children's dental insurance and will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Our
Financial Policy form also provides additional information.
- What happens if my child has a loose tooth?
At some point every child will experience having a loose tooth. Primary teeth usually exfoliate (fall out) between the ages of 5 to 13. When a primary (baby) tooth becomes loose due to the normal eruption of the permanent molar we like to encourage our patients to "wiggle" on those baby teeth. Wiggling helps with the loss of the tooth while the gum tissue is healthy and many times causes the tooth to fall out with minimal bleeding or discomfort. If the tooth is loose due to an injury please contact our office so we can evaluate the loose tooth.
- When is it appropriate to go and visit the orthodontist?
Every child is different when it comes to the development of their jaw and the spacing or crowding that can develop within the teeth. Dr. Thiel will discuss the best time for each patient to see an orthodontist at their appointment after a thorough exam.
- At what age should I take my child to the dentist? What ages are seen at this practice?
Thiel Pediatric Dentistry sees children from birth through college age as well as special needs patients of all ages. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a child is seen for a routine examination as soon as they have their first tooth or around 1 year of age, whichever occurs first. This examination may reveal developmental problems or dental disease, which should be treated early.
- Do you treat special needs patients?
Dr. Thiel's education as a specialist included care for special needs. Mild sedation may benefit your special child as some children need more support than a gentle, caring manner to feel comfortable during dental treatment. Some special patients are very susceptible to tooth decay, gum disease or oral trauma. If a child needs extensive treatment, Dr. Thiel may provide care at a local hospital. Dr. Thiel received comprehensive education in behavior management, sedation and anesthesia techniques. He will select a technique based on the specific health needs of your child, and then discuss the benefits, limits and risks of that technique with you.
- What should I expect when my child is teething?
Teething is a natural process where primary (baby) teeth grow through the gum tissue into the mouth. Many times this process is preceded by discomfort, fever, drooling, and the child chewing on anything within reach. Once the teeth push through the gum tissue the discomfort usually subsides. Treat with
Ambesol®/
Orajel®; or if a low grade fever persists use
Children's Tylenol®.
- My child sucks his/her thumb — is this okay?
Thumb sucking is a normal developmental process for infants and young children. The habit many times will stop without help, but sometimes it is a difficult habit to break. We will be able to discuss different options available to help your child with this habit.
- When will my child get their teeth?
Tooth eruption is the process where a developed tooth grows into the mouth. Tooth erruption can occur as early as 3 or 4 months of age. This development is usually associated with a low grade fever, discomfort, excess drooling, and many children will constantly place their hands in their mouths for comfort. It usually takes a few weeks for a tooth to erupt and using
Children's Tylenol® or
Motrin® can help ease discomfort.
- What are wisdom teeth and when do they form?
Wisdom teeth are the final set of molars that form in the jaw. We typically see wisdom teeth in radiographs (x-rays) and they are usually removed between the ages of 15-18. Most wisdom teeth are impacted; caused by the tooth having an improper position that does not allow for eruption. Impaction can be a very painful issue and should be addressed by the dentist as soon as possible.