Frequently Asked Questions

Our age-based roadmap for guiding your child's dental development from their first tooth through young adulthood. It connects every visit into one long-term plan, so you always know where your child stands.

A checkup tells you how your child's mouth looks today. SmilePath™ tells you how it's developing over time, so we can guide your child at the right time, often before you'd notice anything on your own.

With your child's very first tooth, in Phase 1: Foundation, ages 0 to 7. It continues through five phases into young adulthood.

Yes. Your child's SmilePath™ plan travels with them to any of our four Bay Area offices, and every team member works from that same plan.

Teeth, jaw growth, bite alignment, airway health, and long-term development, together, as one connected picture of your child's smile.

Most families follow our standard 6-month recall schedule. Some phases, like Development between ages 8 and 12, may call for a little extra monitoring.

No. It's simply how we practice pediatric dentistry for every child, at every location, built into the visits you're already scheduling.

Catching it during the right window usually means simpler, easier treatment. We'll walk you through what we're seeing and what we recommend next.

Yes. Bite alignment and jaw growth are part of what we follow from an early age, so any orthodontic care fits right into your child's plan.

It's based on their age and dental development. At every visit, we'll tell you exactly which phase they're in and what comes next.

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molars to come in, usually in the late teens or early twenties. When there isn't quite enough room for them, they can lead to crowding, decay, or discomfort, which is when removal often helps.

Not necessarily. Plenty of people never have an issue with theirs. We'll take a look at your teenager's specific situation and let you know if removal makes sense now, later, or not at all.

Many teenagers have theirs removed proactively, often based on what X-rays show, well before any discomfort starts. Earlier removal during the teenage years is usually the simplest path.

We offer laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia, and we'll help you choose whichever feels right for your teenager.

Most teenagers feel back to themselves within a few days to a week. We'll give you a personalized timeline based on their specific procedure.

Soft, comforting foods and plenty of fluids are the focus for the first several days, and we'll send home simple recommendations to make it easy.

Yes. The comfort option we choose together is designed to keep your teenager relaxed and at ease throughout, and we'll guide you on managing any recovery-related soreness afterward.

Sometimes nothing at all. In other cases, it can lead to crowding, decay, or a cyst nearby. We'll always explain exactly what we're seeing so you can make the choice that's right for your teenager.

Most teenagers take a few days to rest and recover, depending on the option used and how they're feeling. We'll help you plan around whatever timeline makes sense.

Everything happens right here, from the first evaluation through surgery and recovery, with our own oral surgeon and comfort team taking care of your teenager the whole way through.

At that age, your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth, giving us a clear view of jaw growth and bite development. It's the best window to catch something worth guiding early, without necessarily starting treatment right away.

Phase I orthodontics happens while your child still has baby teeth and focuses on jaw growth and bite issues. Traditional orthodontics, like braces or Invisalign, typically happens once more adult teeth have come in, often going more smoothly when Phase I treatment came first.

Sometimes. Phase I treatment can reduce the extent of a second phase, and in some cases eliminate the need for one, but every child's growth is different. We'll let you know what to expect at each visit.

It depends on your child's specific needs, but traditional treatment with braces or Invisalign often runs between one and two years. We'll give you a personalized estimate as part of your treatment plan.

Yes, and we make it easy. Because our orthodontists and pediatric dentists work together, we can often coordinate cleanings, X-rays, and orthodontic adjustments into the same visit.

Many plans offer some orthodontic coverage, though benefits vary widely. We're glad to help you understand your specific coverage before treatment begins.

Yes. We use 3D imaging to design a treatment plan specific to your child's teeth, and Invisalign can address many of the same issues as traditional braces when your child is consistent about wearing their aligners.

Oral appliances, like palatal expanders or habit-breaking appliances, guide jaw growth or address specific habits before braces are needed. We'll recommend one only if your child's evaluation shows it would help.

We'll walk you and your child through brushing, flossing, and any specific care instructions at the visit where treatment begins, and we're always here if questions come up along the way.

We provide a retainer to protect your child's new smile. Wearing it as recommended is what keeps their teeth exactly where we worked together to move them.

We look at your child's age, comfort level, the procedure itself, and their health history together, and we'll always explain our thinking before moving forward.

No, and it helps to know the difference. Laughing gas is a gentle option that helps your child relax while staying fully awake and responsive. General anesthesia means your child is completely asleep, and it's reserved for more involved procedures or specific medical needs.

With oral conscious sedation, your child is relaxed and drowsy but awake and able to respond. With general anesthesia, they're comfortably asleep. We'll recommend whichever option fits your child's needs and the procedure being done.

Yes. It's a significant clinical decision, and we treat it that way. Our on-site anesthesiologist monitors your child continuously, and our team has specialized training specific to pediatric sedation and anesthesia.

Some medical conditions or especially complex procedures are best handled in a hospital setting. When that's the case, your child is still treated by our own doctors, at Kaiser Oakland or UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland.

An anesthesiologist from our own team monitors your child closely throughout every comfort option we offer.

We'll give you specific instructions ahead of your child's appointment, including any guidance on eating or drinking beforehand, based on the option they'll be receiving.

Laughing gas wears off quickly, often within minutes of your child breathing normal air again, so most kids feel back to themselves shortly after their appointment.

It depends on the option used. Laughing gas typically doesn't affect memory, while oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia often result in little to no memory of the procedure itself.

Coverage varies by plan and by the specific option used. We're glad to help you understand your benefits before your child's appointment.

We regularly care for children with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorders, and many other physical, developmental, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional conditions. If your child's situation isn't listed here, reach out anyway. We're glad to talk it through.

Yes, completely free. It's a relaxed visit where your child can explore the office, meet our team, and get comfortable, with no exam or treatment involved.

That's exactly what protective stabilization is designed for, a safe, gentle option that helps keep your child secure and at ease. It can be as simple as a caregiver holding their hands, or soft wraps or a weighted blanket for a bit more support. We'll always explain what we recommend before we use it.

Yes, and it's often a wonderful option. We offer laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, and general anesthesia in-office, and we're happy to talk through which one might suit your child best.

For children who benefit from more complex care, we provide general anesthesia in a hospital operating room. Dr. MyLinh Ngo holds privileges at Kaiser Oakland and UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, working closely with the hospital's anesthesiologists to keep your child safe and comfortable throughout.

We start by listening to you. A conversation, often paired with a desensitization visit, tells us what helps your child feel most comfortable, and we build their plan from there together.

In most cases, yes. We know having you nearby often helps your child feel more at ease, and we'll always talk through what makes the most sense for your specific child.

We adapt how we explain things, the pace of the visit, and how we check in with your child, based on what genuinely works for them. Just let us know ahead of time so we're ready to welcome them well.

A favorite comfort item, like a toy or blanket, is always welcome. Beyond that, the most helpful thing you can share is what's worked well for your child at past appointments.

That's exactly the kind of situation we love helping with. We build the visit entirely around your child, and between free desensitization visits, sensory accommodations, protective stabilization, and a full range of comfort options, we have a way to help your child feel at ease getting the care they need.

It's a general term for breathing difficulties during sleep, like snoring, mouth breathing, or pauses in breathing, that can affect a child's growth, development, and overall health.

Snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, teeth grinding, bedwetting, morning headaches, and daytime sleepiness are some of the more common signs. None of them mean something is definitely wrong, but they're worth mentioning at your child's next visit.

Not necessarily, but it's still worth mentioning. Occasional snoring is common, while frequent or loud snoring alongside other signs is what we'd want to look into further.

In some cases, yes. Orthodontic options like a palatal expander can widen the upper jaw and support easier nose breathing, particularly when a narrow jaw is contributing to the concern.

It's an orthodontic appliance that gradually widens the upper jaw. A wider jaw can create more room for nasal airflow, which may support easier nose breathing for some children.

Sometimes. If we notice signs that warrant a closer look, we may refer you to a physician or sleep specialist who can complete a formal evaluation.

Yes. Airway health often benefits from a team approach, and we're glad to coordinate with physicians, ENTs, or sleep specialists when your child would benefit from their expertise.

It's part of your child's regular visit. We build these questions and checks into the same appointment where we're already tracking teeth, bite, and jaw growth.

We'll explain exactly what we're seeing and talk through the right next step together, whether that's an orthodontic option, continued monitoring, or a referral for further evaluation.

Most children benefit from their first dental visit around their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in. Early visits let us catch small issues early and help your child grow comfortable with the dentist.

Pediatric dentists complete additional years of training focused specifically on children's dental, behavioral, and developmental needs. That training shapes everything from how we explain treatment to how we manage a nervous first visit.

Most children do best with a checkup and cleaning every 6 months. Some situations call for more frequent visits, and we'll let you know if that applies to your child.

Silver Diamine Fluoride is a liquid treatment that can stop early tooth decay from progressing without drilling or numbing. It's especially useful for very young children or cavities that are still in an early stage.

Yes. We use mercury-free, tooth-colored fillings for all restorative work.

Sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of your child's molars, where cavities most often start. We'll let you know if your child is a good candidate during their exam.

Digital X-rays use very low radiation and let us see between teeth and below the gumline where we can't see during a visual exam. We only take them when they're genuinely useful for your child's age and dental needs.

Most cavities are treated with a simple filling. If a tooth needs more support, we may recommend a white crown. Extraction is only used when a tooth can't be saved or is affecting the teeth around it, and we'll always explain why before moving forward.

Yes. We offer laughing gas, oral sedation, and general anesthesia, including options at Kaiser Oakland and Children's Hospital Oakland for more complex cases. Visit our Sedation Dentistry page for details on each option.

We welcome children with a wide range of special needs and offer accommodations built around what helps them feel comfortable. Visit our Special Needs Dentistry page to learn more about how we tailor care.

Most children do best with a checkup every 6 months. Some ages or situations call for a little more frequent monitoring, and we'll let you know if that applies to your child.

We recommend a first visit around your child's first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in.

Yes. Checkups continue to matter through the teenage years, especially for monitoring orthodontic progress, wisdom teeth, and habits like grinding.

A checkup includes an exam of your child's teeth, gums, and bite. A cleaning removes plaque and buildup a toothbrush can't reach. Most visits include both.

No. We only take X-rays when they'll genuinely add to what we can see, based on your child's age and dental history.

We'll explain exactly what we're seeing and what we recommend, and schedule a separate visit to treat it so your child's checkup stays quick and simple.

Most dental plans cover routine checkups, though coverage varies. We're glad to help you understand your specific benefits before your visit.

Yes. Your child's checkup history travels with them to any of our Bay Area offices.

Sometimes. Your orthodontic team will let you know if additional monitoring visits make sense alongside your regular checkups.

Consistent brushing, flossing, and mindful snacking make the biggest difference. We're always happy to share tips suited to your child's age at their next visit.

It's a computer-guided laser we use to treat cavities and soft tissue concerns with less noise, often no needle, and a more comfortable experience overall for your child.

Often, yes. Many procedures skip local anesthesia entirely because the laser itself causes so little discomfort. We'll always let you know what your child's specific treatment will involve.

Yes. It's a gentle, precise option that's become a regular part of how we treat many children, and it's often more comfortable for them than traditional methods.

Cavities, tongue-tie, gum reshaping, small benign growths, cold sores, mouth ulcers, and sealant preparation, all with your child's comfort in mind.

Often not. If a specific case calls for it, we'll explain exactly why beforehand.

Yes, and kids typically recover faster and with less discomfort than with traditional methods.

It eases the pain your child is already dealing with and helps the sore heal faster than it would on its own.

Cost depends on the specific procedure. We're glad to walk you through what to expect before treatment begins.

Often, yes. Many kids experience less discomfort and a quicker return to normal activities compared to traditional treatment.

Not necessarily. We recommend it when it's the most comfortable option for your child's specific need, and we'll always explain why.

Yes. Our doctors and staff are on call every day, including weekends and after hours, for immediate guidance and care.

Knocked-out or broken teeth, significant pain or swelling, and injuries to the mouth or gums are all good reasons to call. When in doubt, reach out. We're glad to help you figure out the right next step.

Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root, and try gently rinsing and placing it back in the socket. If that's not possible, keep it in milk and call us right away.

Don't try to reinsert a baby tooth. Keep your child comfortable and give us a call so we can advise on next steps.

Rinse their mouth with warm water, save any broken piece if you can find it, and call us for guidance.

Call us as soon as you notice it. In the meantime, a cold compress can help with swelling, and we'll get your child seen to treat the underlying cause.

Orthodontic wax can ease irritation from a poking wire in the meantime. A broken bracket usually isn't urgent, but it's still worth a call so we can plan the right timing for a repair.

For dental and mouth injuries, call us first. We'll help you determine whether your child needs to be seen by us or would be better served at an emergency room, based on what happened.

Yes. We welcome new patients experiencing a serious injury, even if they haven't been seen at our office before.

Save our number in your phone and share it with anyone who spends time with your child, from teachers to babysitters, so help is one call away whenever it's needed.