We have had so much fun this morning hearing all about everyone’s end of year activities and summer plans!
We are excited to announce our May Employee of the Month….
Thank you for all your hard work! We are so lucky to have you on our team at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
Opting for a pediatric dentist over a general dentist is no different from choosing a pediatrician over a family doctor for your kids. A general dentist is great for adults, but having specialized in a children’s growth and development, baby teeth formation and treatment, as well as behavior management makes pediatric dentists a better choice when it comes to your child’s oral care.
Many children are not cooperative during early teeth check-ups and cleanings. In this aspect, a pediatric dentist’s additional 2-3 years of hands-on training and education in child psychology and development is definitely an advantage. They are specially trained to make your tots feel safe during treatments and explain oral care and procedures in a manner understandable by kids. We also have highly trained staff that understands that approaching children is a delicate matter and can make little ones’ visits exciting and fun.
Aside from this, pediatric dentists use equipment that is specifically designed for children. Parents can expect the latest technology in ensuring gentle yet effective procedures. After all, kids are known for being impatient so pediatric dentists need to be fast and accurate and must use tools that can complement such a pace.
A pediatric dentist’s office is also something to look forward to as it is often decorated with children in mind. Having a child-friendly office makes children comfortable and cooperative. Children can play or read books while waiting for their appointment. In our office we offer toys for kids of all ages from toddler towers and picture books to video games and movies for our older patients.
For very young children or those who are extremely fidgety, sedation may be administered by a pediatric dentist if treatment of cavities is needed. Options depend on the child’s needs and range from giving oral medications to applying topical anesthetics, using nitrous oxide or going through general anesthesia. The first three techniques leave patients conscious but relaxed or numbed while the last technique renders the patient completely asleep to accomplish treatment.
Treatment of children with mental or physical disabilities is also part of pediatric dental training. In fact, even adults with disabilities and special conditions can benefit from the expertise of pediatric dentists. Examples are those with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and seizure disorders. A good pediatric dentist will be happy to accommodate all questions from both parents and children and discuss the advantages, as well as risks, of various procedures.
Pediatric dentists welcome patients from infancy to adolescence. Babies as young as twelve months should be brought to the dentist for tooth decay prevention. These appointments educate and guide parents to keep their children’s baby teeth healthy. Toddlers are counseled about pacifier or thumb sucking habits. As for teenagers, pediatric dentists understand their need to keep a pleasing appearance. They guide their older patients to the right treatments in correcting teeth, veneers, teeth bleaching and orthodontia.
This specialized approach to kids of all ages is what makes pediatric dentists the superior choice for children’s dental needs. Pediatric dentists will then pass on a well behaved, excited about oral health and hygiene and well educated patient to their general dental colleagues.
We hope you had a blast! Happy birthday!
Enter your name in our birthday party box at the front desk for YOUR chance to win a birthday party sponsored by HPDO!
We are so thankful for all the wonderful moms that share their kids with us. Mothering is a hard job and you are so amazing for doing it this well. Your sweet kids are the testimonial to all the love and care you give them. We hope you enjoyed your special day!
April 25th was Administrative Professionals Day and we had so much fun celebrating!
Whether you email, call or walk in the door of our office, you will be welcomed warmly by Phuong, Lydia, Gaby and Stefanie. They are experts in answering any questions you might have, scheduling appointments with the pediatric dentist or orthodontist, helping you with insurance or financial aspects of your child's dental care, filling out forms, and more. They truly make our office run smoothly.
We love our admin team! Give us a call at 713-861-4000 to schedule your next appointment!
April was a busy month and our entire team worked hard every day. One team member was a shining star and became our newest Employee of the Month….
Thank you for all your hard work! We are so lucky to have your smiling face at our front desk at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
Thanks to everyone who made our Annual Patient and Doctors Appreciation Party an unforgettable event! 🌺
We all had an incredible time celebrating with everyone!
We are grateful for all of our amazing patients, pediatricians and dentists that we get to work with every single day. You make us who we are!!
Did you know that when your baby is born, they already have 20 teeth, you just can’t see them yet?! YES! They are developing and hiding under the gums until they’re ready to start coming in around 6-12mos of age. All 20 baby teeth should be in place by about 3 years old. And then your little one can expect to start getting their second set of teeth at about 6 years old.
fussiness, trouble sleeping, irritability, loss of appetite, drooling more than usual
fever, diarrhea, rash *If your baby has any of these symptoms, then you should contact their pediatrician for another possible illness or cause.
Massage the gums with a clean finger, provide your baby a clean teether toy to chew on, and you can also try letting them chew on something cool like a chilled rubber spoon or chilled moist clean rag. These can help provide comfort to sore or tender gums.
*Avoid objects that are hard or can break when chewed on. It’s important to make sure these teething toys are also free of hazardous materials like metal or lead. The CDC recommends avoiding homeopathic magnetic hematite “healing” bracelets or amber necklaces because 1) they can contain metal or lead which can harm your baby, 2) puts your baby at risk for strangulation or choking.
*Avoid teething gels and tablets. The FDA recommends against using numbing agents like benzocaine (i.e. Anbesol, Hurricaine, Orajel, Baby Orajel and Orabase) for children younger than 2 because it can pose serious sometimes fatal risks, and has little to no benefits for treating oral pain. “Benzocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, a disorder in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is greatly reduced”. The FDA found in homeopathic teething tables “inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance… sometimes far exceeding the amount claimed on the label. Consumers should seek medical care immediately if their child experiences seizures, difficulty breathing, lethargy, excessive sleepiness, muscle weakness, skin flushing, constipation, difficulty urinating, or agitation after using homeopathic teething tablets or gels," the FDA states.
If you have any questions about how to relieve your child’s teething symptoms, call us at 713-861-4000!
We love our dental hygienists, Karlie and Stefanie! They do an amazing job taking care of all of our patients. This week we are celebrating them for keeping our mouths happy and healthy!
Make sure to schedule your next dental appointment and come visit us soon. It is recommended to see your dentist and dental hygienist every 6 months for a professional dental cleaning. We can provide tips on how to improve your oral hygiene routine at home, areas to focus on, tools to take home such as flossers that work around braces or new soft-bristled toothbrushes appropriate for your age and mouth size, etc.
Give us a call at 713-861-4000 to schedule your next appointment!
We’re springing into a new month and celebrating our newest Employee of the Month…
We are so lucky to have you on our team at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
Within one week we get to celebrate TWO birthdays, and its for our TWO favorite pediatric dentists!!!
We wish you both the most wonderful year filled with joy and happiness!!
We love our newest Employee of the Month! She is the queen bee of the office and the one you see out and about at schools, daycares, festivals and more!
We are so lucky to have you at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
Happy National Dentist’s Day to our favorite pediatric dentists and orthodontist, Drs. Lindhorst, Theriot and Darsey! Thank you for always having fun and making our patients smile! We appreciate you!
We couldn’t do our jobs without our fabulous dental assistants!! We might be biased, but Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics has the best!! They wear many hats around the office and keep everything running smoothly, help kiddos smile throughout their appointments from start to finish, keep the doctors running on time, and more. They do it all and we so appreciate you!! Thank you Yvette, Jackie, Abby, Candy, Shayla & Stephanie!
More about our dental assistants: Visit our meet the team page!
Its contest time again friends! We have a fun dental trivia for you! Stop by and participate before the end of the week!
Cavities, also known as caries or tooth decay, are the most common chronic disease of childhood, yet cavities are preventable. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children to get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes. Parents should help with brushing until they can clearly write their own name.
Floss to clean in between the teeth.
Fluoride helps to make enamel stronger and protects teeth against cavities by fighting acid & erosion.
Avoid sticky snacks like gummies, candies, cookies and crackers because those will linger on the teeth longer. Instead, try yogurt, cheese, fruits and veggies!
Water is the best drink for your teeth AND your body! Serve water at mealtime rather than juice or soda.
We’re celebrating all month long! Come visit us at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
Visit the ADA and CDC websites for more information and fun activities that you can do with your kids! Visit the ADA.org / Visit the CDC.org
We are so excited to announce our first 2024 Employee of the Month! Our team voted for….
We are so lucky to have such an awesome dental hygienist at Heights Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics!
We hope you had a blast! Happy birthday!
Enter your name in our birthday party box at the front desk for YOUR chance to win a birthday party sponsored by HPDO!
