Losing the first tooth can be an overwhelming feeling for a child.
It is hard to think back that far, but losing your first tooth may have been a very anxious time in your young life. Although it may be made easier by the promise of a visit from the Tooth Fairy, losing a first tooth can be an overwhelming feeling.
I have been going here for 30 years and the extra care they take is outstanding.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and longtime support! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback and are grateful for the trust placed in our team over the years.
It was thorough professional and informative. I was satisfied with consultation and look forward to having my dental needs addressed
Response from the owner:Thank you for your 5-star review! We appreciate your kind words and are grateful you took the time to share your feedback. Thank you for your support!
Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your feedback and kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our clinical team. We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continually strive to provide the best possible care and experience for every family.
I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place. I have a had severe dental trauma my entire life. Until now, they are all fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful our team could help provide a comfortable experience and appreciate your trust in us.
When your child is about to lose a tooth, it can become very sensitive, and any anxiety they have about it falling out may increase. That is why being communicative and supportive is so important in creating a positive experience.
Losing the First Tooth
Most children lose their first tooth by the age of six, although every child is different. Typically, all of their baby teeth are gone around the age of 13. Of course, every child goes through it on their own time frame. Although most parents think that it’s the end of the story once the tooth is gone, if it’s not anticipated or treated correctly, the tooth loss can cause problems. If your child has lost their first tooth, it is important not just to make sure that the Tooth Fairy leaves them a little surprise but that you care properly for the socket that is left.
Make sure to wipe their gums – When your child loses their tooth, there is going to be a gaping socket where the tooth once stood. To ensure that an infection doesn’t set in, make sure to wipe the socket with a sterile gauze pad. You will also want to have them rinse their mouth with a mixture of salt water to prevent any inflammation or infection and to soothe your child’s mouth. If they are having a hard time with pain, then you can place a cool tea bag on the open socket or give them Motrin or Tylenol just to take the sting away.
Don’t brush the missing tooth space – You want to encourage your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day, but once they lose that first tooth you need to make sure that they skip over the sore and empty socket. If they brush it, it will further irritate and hurt the area. The socket is going to be tender for a day or two, so just make sure that they gloss over the area where the tooth is missing.
Consider mouthwash – To ensure that the socket doesn’t become infected, consider using mouthwash. Mouthwashes have antibacterial ingredients that are excellent for your child’s first tooth loss. Since you want them to not brush the area, mouthwash can ensure that no bacteria sets in or add inflammation to the injury of the tooth loss.
There are all sorts of milestones that parents and children get to go through. Your child’s first tooth loss is exciting, and if you handle it right, it can be a positive experience for you both.
Pediatric Dentistry in St. Louis
Your child’s initial oral examination will include a visual examination, charting, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.
Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!
