Frequently asked questions

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit a pediatric dentist when their first tooth comes in, or no later than their first birthday. If your child hasn’t had a dental visit yet, scheduling one now helps establish a lifetime of healthy habits and gives you a dental home in case there is ever an emergency.

All dental specialists (pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons and others) continue their education with additional specialized training after dental school. That extra training gives pediatric dentists the foundation to treat decay and other common problems, and to understand the growth and development of infants, children and teens. Our staff, office design and approach are all centered on a friendly, comfortable environment for kids.

Dental checkups twice a year (every six months) help avoid future problems and keep your child’s teeth healthy. Depending on your child’s health, we may recommend more frequent visits.

Yes. We accept most insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Premera, Cigna, Assurant, MetLife, United Concordia, Regence/Blue Cross and several others, and we file claims electronically as a courtesy to you. We also accept major credit cards, personal checks and cash. See insurance & payment for details.

That’s very normal, and our office is built for it. Our beach-themed office is designed to help kids relax, we reserve plenty of time for every visit so no one is rushed, and Dr. Walker explains each step in kid-friendly terms. For children who need extra comfort, we offer nitrous oxide (“happy air”), and oral sedation when appropriate. Here are some tips to help your child feel ready.

Yes! Part of Dr. Walker’s training was working with and treating children with special needs.

Please plan about an hour for each appointment. We reserve quality time with every child so each visit is a positive experience. Our staff will let you know if a specific treatment needs more time.

Yes. Our Patient Health History Form can be completed online before you arrive. If you have more than one child, please complete a form for each child. All other forms only need a signature and can be completed in our office.

Sí. Dr. Walker speaks Spanish fluently.

When you notice signs of the first tooth, you can start cleaning your baby’s gums. Even though the first set of teeth is temporary, proper dental care helps avoid cavities and keeps gums healthy. Baby teeth are important because they help children learn to chew and speak.

Your child’s first teeth are essential for their development. They help a child speak, smile and chew, and they hold space in the jaw for permanent teeth. In addition, dental infections in children can happen quickly and can lead to other significant health problems.

Sealants cover pits and grooves that are difficult to brush and help protect the areas of the teeth most likely to decay. We always recommend sealants as a safe way to avoid cavities, especially in hard-to-reach molars. Learn more about sealants.

Sports stores sell mouth guards, but custom mouth guards can be significantly more effective at protecting teeth, and can even help minimize other injuries such as concussions. Please contact our office about custom mouth guards, especially if your child plays baseball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse or football.

Many children suck their thumb, and many outgrow the habit by age four without significant permanent damage. If your child continues after permanent teeth erupt, or sucks aggressively, please bring it up at your next visit. Tips for breaking the habit.

Your child’s teeth began forming before birth. Primary teeth usually start appearing around 6 months of age, and by age 3 most children have all of their primary teeth. See our tooth timeline for when each tooth typically arrives.

Call our office right away at (425) 466-5210. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, find the tooth, hold it by the crown (not the root) and call immediately. Our dental emergency guide covers toothaches, cuts, chipped teeth and more.