1911 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-3780

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Pediatric Dentistry


photo of smiling boy

A child's first visit to the dentist should be enjoyable and positive. The more you and your child know about the first visit, the better you will feel. Children are not born with a fear of the dentist, but they can fear the unknown. Our office makes a practice of using pleasant, non-frightening, simple words to describe your child's first dental visit and treatment. We want you to feel at ease from the moment your family arrives at our office.

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), children should visit the dentist by their first birthday. It is important that your child's newly erupted teeth (erupting at 6-12 months of age) receive proper dental care and benefit from proper oral hygiene habits right from the beginning.

To prepare for your child's visit, we have created an activity kit to familiarize your child with their teeth and help them look forward to their dental visit.

» Getting to know your teeth is fun! Download our Dynamite Dental Fun Kit.

When New Teeth Arrive

Your child's first tooth erupts between ages 6-12 months and the remainder of their 20 primary or "baby" teeth typically erupt by age three. During this time, gums may feel tender and sore, causing your child to feel irritable. To help alleviate this discomfort, we recommend that you soothe the gums by rubbing a clean finger or a cool, wet cloth across them. You may also choose to make use of a teething ring.

Your child's primary teeth are shed at various times throughout childhood, and their permanent teeth begin erupting at age 6 and continue until age 21. Adults have 28 permanent teeth, or 32 including wisdom teeth.

Adopting Healthy Oral Hygiene Habits

As new teeth erupt, examine them every two weeks for lines and discoloration caused by decay. Remember that sugary foods and liquids can attack a new tooth, so take care that your child brushes their teeth after feeding or eating. We recommend brushing four times a day for optimal oral hygiene: after breakfast, after lunch, after dinner, and at bedtime. Brushing can be fun, and your child should brush as soon as the first tooth arrives. When a baby's tooth erupts, parents should brush the tooth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. For children younger than two, do not use fluoride toothpaste unless advised to do so by your dentist or other health professional. We suggest reviewing proper tooth brushing procedures with your child.

Flossing is also a part of good oral hygiene habits, and your doctor will discuss with you the right time to start flossing. If you notice signs of decay, contact your dentist immediately.

Printable instructions »

Preventing Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is preventable. Tooth decay is caused by sugars left in your mouth that turn into an acid which can break down your teeth. Children are at high risk for tooth decay for a simple reason — many children and adolescents tend to be lax in their oral hygiene habits. Proper brushing and flossing routines combined with regular dental visits help keep tooth decay away. A low-sugar diet also helps keep tooth decay at bay.

Your child should visit the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings and checkups. We recommend fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. Tooth sealants are also recommended because they "seal" the deep grooves in your child's teeth, preventing decay from forming in these hard-to-reach areas. Sealants last for several years, but will be monitored at your regular checkups.

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1911 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98109
(206) 284-3780

OFFICE NOTICE

Greetings Patients and Friends,

I am writing you to inform you I will be retiring after 28 years of practicing dentistry on Queen Anne. I've had the privilege of caring for you and your families with whom I've formed lasting connections and friendships. I will sincerely miss seeing you regularly but look forward to spending more time with my family, pursuing my other interests and hobbies and hopefully much more travel in my future. After careful evaluation, I am grateful that I will be passing my dental practice and patients to Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor, DMD who shares the same practice philosophy of quality, compassionate dental care. We both believe in preventative dentistry and only recommending treatment we would recommend to our own family.

Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor was born in South Korea, adopted at 4 months old, and grew up in Eastern Washington. She attended the University of Washington for her undergraduate and the University of Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine for her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. Dr Blancaflor has been practicing dentistry in the greater Seattle area for over 6 years, and I am confident that you will receive the highest level of quality and integrity from her.

Dr Blancaflor is married and has two young daughters. She looks forward to getting to know you and serving you with gentle, personalized care.

The transition of my practice to Dr Jasmyn Blancaflor is effective immediately and all dental records and scheduled appointments will be transferred to her care. I encourage you to meet Dr Blancaflor and have her serve your dental needs.

I would like to express my gratitude and deep appreciation for my staff and my wife, Tina. Their dedication, compassion and professional skills have greatly contributed to providing you with quality dental care.

It has been a great pleasure and honor to serve your dental needs. Thank you for your support over the years, I am grateful for all we have shared together.

Sincerely,
Dr. David Arndt, DDS, PS

Learn More About Dr. Jasmyn Blancaflor