Pediatric Dentistry Patient Education in Gurnee & Vernon Hills

At Affiliated Dental Specialists, our Gurnee and Vernon Hills pediatric dentists believe that patient education is a vital part of the oral health care process for a child of any age. Drs. Orbon and Maddox want to make sure that both your child as a patient and you as a parent are as educated as possible about the care that is being provided. In addition, whether you are a parent in Lindenhurst, Grayslake or Libertyville, we want to make sure that you have the information and tools that you need to ensure successful dental care at home.

Our Libertyville pediatric dentists, along with their skilled and friendly staff, want you to feel as comfortable and confident as possible when you and your child are with us. If you have any questions prior to or after your appointment, please consult our FAQs and the information below to see if we have already provided the answer. If not, we are always available during business hours to answer any questions.

When do my child’s teeth arrive?
The first baby teeth are typically the lower front teeth, usually starting between the age of 6-8 months. However, this varies from baby to baby.

A child’s teeth are forming even before birth, As early as 4 months, the first teeth to erupt through the gums will be the lower front teeth, followed closely by the upper front teeth. Although all 20 baby teeth usually appear by age 3, their pace and order varies.

Permanent teeth begin appearing around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until approximately age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or up to 32 including wisdom teeth.

How do I know if my children’s teeth are coming in at the right time? 
Teeth erupt into the mouth normally over a period of time from infancy into the child’s teenage years. Primary teeth, sometimes called baby teeth or deciduous teeth, appear as early as 6 months and the first permanent tooth erupts at about 6 years of age. Our Grayslake pediatric dentists feel that it is important to begin dental visits about the time your child’s first tooth erupts.

New parents have many questions about their children’s dental health. The doctors will check your child’s eruption patterns at every visit and answer your questions along the way. Your child should be scheduled for dental check-ups twice a year thereafter. Visit the American Dental Association for a description of the normal schedule of tooth eruption as well as a video and tables showing how teeth erupt.

What should I do if my my child loses a tooth due to injury?

If it is a permanent tooth:

• Rinse it in clean cool water to remove any debris. Please do not use soap or scrub the tooth.
• If possible, replace the tooth in the socket. Ask the child to bite on a folded napkin or towel to hold it in place.
• Call Affiliated Dental Specialists. If it is after hours, leave a message with our answering service. They will contact the doctor who will return your call.

Acting quickly will improve your chances of saving the tooth. If you are unable to replace the tooth:

• Place the tooth in a container and fill the container with milk until it covers the tooth completely.
• Call Affiliated Dental Specialists. If it is after hours, contact the dentist on call.

Contact Us!

Affiliated Dental Specialists serves families in Vernon Hills, Gurnee, Lindenhurst, Libertyville, and Grayslake, IL as well as the surrounding communities with quality pediatric dentistry that you can trust and rely on. Our Vernon Hills and Gurnee pediatric dentists, Drs. Orbon and Maddox are at the top of their field and have started thousands of local children and teens on their way toward a life of healthy smiles. If you have any additional questions, please contact one of our offices today. We are happy to provide you with more information on our services or to schedule an appointment for your child!