Missouri City, TX 77459
| Phone: | (281) 778.0543 |
| Fax: | (281) 778.0547 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why Choose a Pediatric Dentist for My Child?
A pediatric dentist is a specialist who is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. Young children, preteens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. A pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs. Dr. McGriff-Metz (“Dr. Mc” to her patients) is a pediatric dentist.
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What Kind of Training Does a Pediatric Dentist Have?
- Four years of dental school
- Two or three additional years of residency training in pediatric dentistry that focuses on dental care for infants, children, teens, and children with special needs
- In addition, many pediatric dentists become board certified by completing additional training to validate their knowledge, skills, and experience
A pediatric dentist has completed the following:
Dr. McGriff-Metz attained her dental degree from the University of Maryland at Baltimore, where she also completed a one-year general dentistry residency. She then completed a two-year pediatric dentistry residency at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in New York, where she was a chief resident. Dr. McGriff-Metz has been in private practice since 2004 and has been awarded Diplomate status, or board certification, from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. McGriff-Metz’s specialty training and experience enables her to provide leading-edge treatment for a wide variety of children’s dental issues. She is also well-trained and qualified to treat special patients who have emotional, physical, or mental disabilities.
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At What Age Should My Child First Visit the Dentist?
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend establishing a dental home by the time your child is age 1, so first dental visit by his or her first birthday.
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Why Does My Baby Need to Visit the Dentist?
It might be surprising, but dental problems can begin early. The earlier the visit, the better the chance of preventing bigger dental problems later. A big concern is “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay”, or Early Childhood Caries (ECC). Continuous nursing—whether from the breast or from a bottle of milk, formula, or juice—puts your baby’s teeth at serious risk of decay. Children should be weaned from the bottle at 12-14 months of age, and at-will breast-feeding should be avoided after the first primary teeth begin to erupt and other sources of nutrition have been introduced. Try not to let your child fall asleep with a bottle containing anything other than water, and especially not fruit juice. Juice should only be offered in a cup with meals or at snack time.
Believe it or not, another common dental concern for children is gum disease. Recent studies show that nearly half of all children ages 2 and 3 have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues.
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How Do I Prepare My Child for His First Dental Visit?
Your attitude is extremely important. How you act before and during your child’s first dental visit will determine his perception of dentistry and may shape his dental office feelings and behavior for years to come. Please try to be relaxed and at ease, and do not allow anyone to share negative dental experiences or scary stories before your child’s visit.
If you are not sure what to do, just let us do all the talking! We use kid-friendly vocabulary that explains everything we do in a fun and non-threatening manner. We even allow our patients to touch many of the items that we will be using so that they have some control and feel empowered during their visit.
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What If My Child Cries?
Crying is a normal response to anxiety or uncertainty. New experiences, strange sounds, unfamiliar people… all of these things can be pretty scary for a child, but please do not let your child’s tears upset you. It’s okay – really! We anticipate it and are prepared to help you and your child through his or her first visit.
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What Should I Be Using to Clean My Baby's Teeth?
A toothbrush will remove plaque bacteria that can lead to decay. Any soft-bristled toothbrush with a small head, preferably one designed specifically for infants, should be used at least twice a day. If you are only able to brush once a day, we recommend that you brush at night before bed.
Making teeth brushing fun for your child can help establish good oral health habits more easily. Play brushing games using a flashlight to shine in your child’s mouth, tickle them to make them laugh and open wide, or consider a rewards system for teeth brushing. Be as regular as you can so your child not only gets used to teeth brushing but also grows to understand how important it is.
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How Do I Make My Child’s Diet Safe for Her Teeth?
Be sure she has a balanced diet. Limit how frequently she consumes items with a high sugar or starch content, since both can promote dental decay. Keep in mind that many foods other than candy can cause tooth decay, including breads, crackers, pasta, pretzels, potato chips, cookies, raisins, and soda.
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What Is a Cavity?
Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are the result of a progressive contagious disease that can begin in very young children. The disease occurs as a result of the interaction between normal bacteria on your teeth and the sugars in your everyday diet. These bacteria use sugar to produce acids. A tooth exposed to acids for long periods of time will lose mineral content, which is the first step toward developing a cavity.
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How Common Are Cavities?
Cavities are very common. In fact, they are five times more common in children than asthma, and seven times more common than hay fever. Also, research shows that cavities are on the rise in children ages 2-5, despite water fluoridation.
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What If My Child Has a Toothache?
Call us promptly to schedule a visit. To comfort your child, have him rinse with warm salt water. Over-the-counter children’s pain medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), dosed according to your child’s weight and age, can help ease the symptoms. You can also apply a cold compress or ice wrapped in a cloth to the face in the area of the pain, but do not put heat or aspirin directly on the sore area. If your child resists application of the compress, try to explain that it will help his tooth feel better until Dr. McGriff-Metz can see him.
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What Is an Abscessed Tooth?
An abscess is an infection caused by bacteria. The bacteria get inside the tooth through a hole in the enamel—usually a cavity or a fracture. The gums are often swollen and there is usually pus present. (Sorry, we know that is unpleasant!) Abscessed teeth can be very painful, and once one develops the infection can spread rather easily throughout the rest of the mouth and body. If you suspect that your child has an abscessed tooth, call our office immediately so we can stop the infection from spreading and help restore your child’s oral health.
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What Can I Do to Protect My Child's Teeth During Sporting Events?
Dr. McGriff-Metz can create a custom-fitted soft plastic mouthguard to protect your child's teeth, gums, lips, and cheeks from sports-related childhood injuries. Athletic mouthguards can even help prevent severe injuries to the face, jaw, and head.
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What Should I Do If My Child's Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Contact us as soon as possible (281) 778-0543! The baby tooth should not be replanted because you might accidentally damage the developing permanent tooth.
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What Should I Do If My Child's Permanent Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Find the tooth and, holding it by the crown only, rinse it briefly with warm water. If possible, gently reinsert the tooth into the socket and hold it there with clean gauze or a wash cloth. If you cannot put the tooth back in the socket, place it in a clean container filled with cold milk, saliva, or water. Then, call our office and get here immediately! The faster you act, the better your chances are of saving the tooth.
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Why Is Fluoride Important for My Child’s Teeth?
Plaque wears away at your teeth’s enamel in a process known as demineralization. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can promote the remineralization of enamel, replacing important minerals that strengthen your teeth and can protect them from decay. Fluoride can also help reverse early stages of decay. Children with newly-erupted permanent teeth can benefit a great deal from fluoride exposure. The safe and easy way to ensure that teeth are getting enough fluoride is to use fluoride toothpaste, which is available in a variety of types and flavors that your children will like. If we recommend more intense fluoride treatments, there are a number of gels, rinses, or even in-office procedures that can do the trick.
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How Do Dental Sealants Work?
Dental sealants work by filling in the grooves on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, keeping food particles from getting caught in the crevices and causing cavities. The application is fast and comfortable, and sealants can effectively protect teeth for many years.
Se Habla Español
Office Hours
- 8:30am–4:30pm Monday:
- 8:30am–4:30pm Tuesday:
- 8:30am–4:30pm Wednesday:
- Closed Thursday:
- 8:30am–2:30pm Friday:
- By Appointment Saturday:
Office Features
- Fun & Gentle Female Dentist
- Kid Friendly Office Design
- Multiple Sedation Options
(Including General Anesthesia) - WiFi Hot Spot
- Wii Gameroom
- Convenient & Flexible Hours
(Including Saturdays) - Insurance Friendly
Please download our new patient forms to expedite the paperwork at your first visit for your convenience. Adobe Acrobat Reader is needed to download these forms. If you do not have it, download the latest version.
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