FAQ

Pediatric

When should fluoride application start? Is there a recommended interval?

Fluoride application can start once the first tooth has come in, and every 3 to 6 months is ideal. For very young children we use fluoride v

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Pediatric

Baby teeth will fall out anyway. Do they need cavity treatment?

Yes, cavities in baby teeth do need treatment. If a cavity in a baby tooth is left alone, 1) the inflammation can affect the permanent tooth

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Pediatric

Do dental sealants need to be done?

We recommend it, as its effectiveness in preventing molar cavities is well established. The deep, narrow grooves on the chewing surface of t

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Pediatric

My child is very afraid of dental treatment. Should they be treated against their will?

We do not recommend holding a child down to force treatment. The fear of forced treatment can leave a lifelong trauma that makes them avoid

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Pediatric

The eruption time for permanent teeth has passed but they haven't come in.

If more than 6 months have passed since the baby tooth came out with no permanent tooth appearing, or if it is more than 6 months behind the

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Pediatric

From what age should children start dental check-ups?

The first dental visit is best around 6 months of age, when the first baby tooth appears, and no later than the first birthday. At that firs

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Pediatric

How often should children have check-ups?

For children we recommend a check-up every 3 to 6 months. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth, so cavities progress faster,

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Pediatric

Are there ways to prevent cavities before they form?

Yes, there are methods with proven effectiveness against cavities: 1) brush with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and never skip bru

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Pediatric

Can children also have sedation treatment?

Yes, sedation (sleep) treatment is possible for children too. When many teeth need treatment or fear makes cooperation difficult, work that

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Pediatric

Does thumb-sucking affect permanent teeth growth?

Yes, if it continues past age 4 it can affect tooth alignment. The force of sucking can 1) push the upper front teeth forward, 2) create an

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Pediatric

Are there different brushing methods for different ages?

Yes, the recommended brushing method differs by age. 1) Before the teeth come in and through the first baby tooth: wipe with damp gauze or a

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Pediatric

I heard that using a pacifier too long makes the front teeth stick out. When should we stop?

A pacifier is best given up around age 2 at the latest. Continuing past age 3 can cause an open bite in which the front teeth do not meet, p

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Pediatric

Does my child really need a space maintainer where a baby tooth came out?

If the baby tooth came out earlier than it should have, we recommend a space maintainer. If the empty space is left as it is, the molar behi

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Pediatric

Is it true that a baby's teeth decay if they fall asleep with a bottle?

Yes, it is true. Nursing bottle caries is decay that spreads quickly from the upper front teeth because of the habit of falling asleep with

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Pediatric

When should a child move from low-fluoride to higher-fluoride toothpaste?

Current Korean and international guidelines recommend skipping the low-fluoride stage: use toothpaste with 1,000 ppm or more of fluoride fro

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Pediatric

My child has a supernumerary tooth. When should it be extracted?

The timing depends on the position of the extra tooth and its effects; it is most often removed around the early elementary years (ages 6 to

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Pediatric

After a fluoride application, can I really not brush for several days?

No, you do not have to go without brushing for days. With a standard fluoride application you only need to avoid food and drink for 30 minut

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Pediatric

Are cavities in children different from cavities in adults?

Yes, they are different. Baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth, so decay progresses faster and reaches the nerve in less time.

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Pediatric

What is a short lingual frenulum (tongue-tie)?

Tongue-tie is a condition in which the band under the tongue connecting it to the floor of the mouth (the lingual frenulum) is congenitally

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Pediatric

Does my baby really need tongue-tie surgery?

No. Not every short frenulum requires surgery - we recommend it when tongue function is genuinely restricted. Surgery is considered when 1)

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