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You already know that Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry recommends you come in for a checkup and cleaning at least every six months, but do you know what your child’s dental needs are? From the time children are babies and growing in their first teeth, their oral health care needs may be different from adults. It’s important to know what they need, and when, to help them grow strong, healthy teeth.

When to See Our Team at Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry

While dental care (at home) can begin as soon as your baby starts to show signs of that first tooth, most experts do not recommend you see a dentist until your child is at least one year old. The child will likely be too young at this point to have a full dental exam, but we can take a look at your baby’s teeth and give you tips for brushing and flossing properly.

By the time your child has all of his or her baby teeth—usually around 24 to 30 months of age—we can begin scheduling regular checkups and cleanings.

What to Expect on the First Visits

The first visit to our Charleston office for a full exam will mostly involve getting to know Drs. Don and Mindy and staff members, and making your child feel comfortable. Let us know if you would like to sit in the exam room during the appointment, but keep in mind that it may be beneficial to leave your child alone with Drs. Don and Mindy for a portion of the appointment so we can start building trust with your child.

Our team at Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry will likely do some or all of the following during your child's visit:

• Look for signs of decay or other tooth or gum problems
• Examine your child’s bite, checking for misalignment that could lead to problems in the future
• Clean the teeth, and apply fluoride if your child is old enough
• Talk to you about proper oral health care for your children
• Answer any questions you may have about caring for your child’s teeth, which may include topics like fluoride needs, nutrition and diet, teething, and the frequency of future checkups

In most cases, we will recommend that you bring your child in every six months for regular checkups, the same as your recommended frequency.

Understanding your child’s unique dental needs is important for providing the best possible care when it becomes necessary. We look forward to building a good relationship with your child so coming to the dentist is a fun, rewarding experience and not a frightening one.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, checkups at Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry are recommended for all children two times a year. Children should be evaluated for cavities and other emerging dental issues every six months, because these problems can lead to more serious dental problems and health issues if left untreated.

While it is always good to follow the official guideline mentioned above, it is also important to understand that each child is unique and his or her dental needs are equally unique. If your child shows signs of dental or orthodontic problems, Drs. Don and Mindy might recommend more frequent visits.

One way to help your son or daughter maintain good oral health between pediatric dental visits is to monitor brushing and oral care habits, especially if the child is still very young. Children who are two to five years of age will usually still require at least some degree of monitoring during their dental care routine.

The Checkup Visit

During your child’s regular dental care checkups, Drs. Don and Mindy will evaluate the current state of oral health and will be able to recognize any issues. The twice-yearly checkup visits are typically the time at which problems like cavities, irregular growth patterns of the teeth, and oral decay are discovered. Thus, making these appointments for your child, and following through with them, is extremely important.

Learning and Maintaining Good Oral Health

Drs. Don and Mindy and our Charleston staff are your partners in terms of your child’s health care. Even when your child is an infant and a toddler, good brushing and other oral care habits can be taught. We will help you to educate your child about how to care for teeth in the most effective way, and you can carry those lessons home and help your child to follow them for the ultimate in oral health.

Greetings from Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry. We’ve officially made it to September! The changes of the season are upon us and we are starting to notice the crisp air in the morning and the changing color of leaves. When the seasons change, it also brings us a chance for renewal: maybe starting a new hobby or exercise routine, trying a new recipe, enjoying the outdoors and different plants more, trying a new seasonal fruit (fall is great for lots of different apple varieties). Life is still different during the pandemic and we will sure miss attending football games with fall.

We are celebrating Dr. Don's birthday this month! He will celebrate at home with his family. His wife Nancy has promised to cook some of his favorites for dinner: chicken piccata and Texas sheet cake. We’ve gone ahead and shared the recipe with you so you can try it for your next dinner! Like the name suggests it’s quick pan-fried chicken breasts smothered in a simple pan sauce made with capers, butter, and lemon juice. So much yum!

Ingredient Checklist

-4 eaches skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
-1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
-1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
-¼ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 tablespoon capers, drained
-¼ cup fresh lemon juice
-¼ cup water
-3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut in 1/4-inch slices
-2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Instructions

-Place chicken breasts between 2 layers of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/2-inch thick.
-Season both sides of chicken breasts with cayenne, salt, and black pepper; dredge lightly in flour and shake off any excess.
-Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken in the pan, reduce heat to medium, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side; remove to a plate.
-Cook capers in reserved oil, smashing them lightly to release brine, until warmed through, about 30 seconds.
-Scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
-Stir lemon juice, water, and butter into the reduced mixture; cook and stir continuously to form a thick sauce, about 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low and stir parsley through the sauce.
-Return chicken breasts to the pan, cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with sauce spooned over the top.
Since we’ve reopened with our new safety procedures our office has run very smoothly and efficiently. We continue to keep up with the latest CDC, ADA, and WVDA guidance for appropriate PPE. Our patients have shared with us that they greatly appreciate the care we have taken to keep both them and our team safe during this pandemic. They have also been so helpful in following our recommendations for safety in the office such as mask-wearing, pre-screening questions, temperature checks, and limiting the number of people. Thank you to everyone who helps make this all easier!
COVID has been in the center of everyone's thoughts and actions for several months now. We finally feel comfortable with our new normal and can again begin to concentrate on the positives of what our team loves to deliver: making every patient feel at home and providing top-notch dental care for them when they visit us.
We still have numerous patients who had to cancel their appointments during the COVID quarantine. We are working hard to contact and reschedule these patients because we realize the importance of routine care, especially during these challenging times. If any patients have missed a check-up, please feel free to call or text us at 304-926-9260 or email us at pediatric-dentistry@donskaffdds.com. We miss you and would love to see you again soon!

Molars are made up of canyons, caves, pits, and seemingly endless caverns that are a breeding ground for decay. The protective solution is a sealant. When done correctly, a sealant from Drs. Don and Mindy of Kanawha City Pediatric Dentistry can be most effective in preventing cavities.

A sealant is made up of composite (a plastic-like) material that contains bonding agents to seal to the edge of the tooth. Sealants placed on the chewing surfaces of back teeth block food from being trapped. The process in which a sealant is placed is quite precise and painless.

First the tooth is cleaned with a sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) spray. Then an acid etch is applied to “roughen up” the surface. No saliva is to touch the tooth. This will re-mineralize the area, then a repeat etching is needed. An alcohol-based liquid then dries out the area and it must remain completely dry. The sealant is placed and guided through all the caverns, pits, fissures, and grooves. It is then cured with a special light, which makes it a hard, plastic-like material.

Sealants can last for several years. It is wise to have them examined on a semi-annual basis. If there is a break in the sealant, a high risk for decay is common. If a sealant is damaged, repair is simple, painless, and quick to complete.

Who can benefit from sealants? Anyone! Children often receive sealants as routine preventive care. Adults with deep canyons with stained grooves on their teeth can also benefit from a sealant. The process is quick, painless, and does not require any anesthesia. It is an effective way to lower dental restorative costs.

An investment in dental sealants can reap great benefits as properly cared for teeth will remain cavity free. Our Charleston location is available to answer your questions so give us a call today!