Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Your child’s first dental visit should happen by their first birthday. Taking children to the dentist early is important for cavity prevention and intervening in other dental issues before they become more severe. A child’s baby teeth are essential for their development. They play a role in eating, talking, and growing healthy permanent teeth.

What to Expect at Your Child’s First Dental Visit

Your child’s first dental appointment is as much about getting them comfortable with the dentist as anything. You’ll also learn about how to help your child maintain their oral health as they grow, and what to watch out for. 

It’s essential to find a child-friendly dentist who has experience working with children and knows how to make them feel at ease. Early, positive dental visits are key to establishing a solid foundation for lifelong oral health.

During this first visit, the dentist will:

• Introduce themself and get to know your child.
• Show your child the dental tools.
• Very gently examine your child’s mouth and gums.
• Do a light cleaning.
• Offer education about cavity prevention, brushing, flossing, and a healthy diet that’s good for your child’s teeth.

Depending on your child’s age, you can talk to them at home about what’s going to happen at the dentist. Be sure to use positive language. You might even show them a book or video for kids about going to the dentist to make it feel familiar. 

At Lonestar Smiles for Kids, we love working with children and would be happy to meet yours. Our caring team is dedicated to making your child’s first dental visit a positive experience. Consider scheduling an appointment to put your child on the path to oral health!

Even though they eventually fall out, baby teeth play several important roles in keeping your child's smile healthy. As an experienced pediatric dentist in North Texas, Dr. Boling often explains to parents the many  benefits of avoiding cavities in baby teeth, including: 

• Help your child learn to speak clearly by guiding tongue placement and helping form words properly
• Enable proper chewing, allowing your child to eat nutritious foods needed for healthy growth and development
• Hold space for adult teeth, acting like natural placeholders to prevent crowding when permanent teeth come in
• Build your child's confidence by providing a healthy smile for talking, speaking, and making friends

Protecting baby teeth through regular checkups and good home care gives your child the best start for a lifetime of healthy smiles. Dr. Boling and our team focus on preventing problems before they start and keeping those baby teeth healthy until they naturally fall out.

Schedule a Dental Visit

If your child is due for their first dental visit or you suspect a problem, please call Lone Star Smiles for Kids at (817) 598-0835. Our friendly team welcomes families from throughout North Texas, including Weatherford, Mineral Wells, Springtown, and Hudson Oaks. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicaid.

At Lone Star Smiles for Kids, we specialize in helping children feel safe and relaxed during their visits. Dental anxiety is common, but our team is trained to create a positive experience for kids of all ages. Here’s how we help: 

• Gentle Approach — We explain everything in kid-friendly terms and let your child explore the tools we use. 
• Comfort Measures — We offer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help nervous kids relax. We can also discuss sedation options or hospital-based care for more extensive treatments.
• Fun Environment — Our office is designed with kids in mind. TVs are in every treatment room to keep your child entertained and distracted.

Prepare Your Child for Dental Visits

You can also play a significant role in making dental visits stress-free for your child. Here are some tips: 

• Talk Positively — Explain that the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy and strong. Avoid using words like “pain” or “hurt.” 
• Role Play — Practice a dental visit at home by taking turns being the dentist and the patient. 
• Bring Comfort Items — Let your child bring a favorite toy or blanket to their appointment. 
• Watch Videos Together — Show them kid-friendly videos about visiting the dentist to help them understand what to expect. 

Book Your Child's Next Dental Visit

If you’re looking for a pediatric dentist in Weatherford, TX, or the surrounding areas, call us at (817) 598-0835 to schedule a visit. 

Dental sealants are thin, protective coatings Dr. Boling applies to the deep grooves of your child's back teeth. Think of them like raincoats for teeth—they shield these cavity-prone areas from food and bacteria that can cause decay.

When Should Children Get Sealants?

Back teeth (molars) have deep pits and grooves where food and bacteria can hide, making them hard to clean even with careful brushing. Children often miss these areas when brushing, which is why cavities in these teeth are so common.

Dr. Boling typically recommends sealants as soon as the permanent back teeth come in, usually between ages 6 and 12. We can also seal baby teeth if they have deep grooves that might trap food and bacteria.

Applying Dental Sealants

Getting sealants is quick and painless, and no shots or drilling are needed. Dr. Boling cleans and dries the tooth, applies the sealant liquid, and uses a special light to harden it. The whole process takes just a few minutes per tooth.

Long-Lasting Cavity Protection

Sealants can protect teeth for several years and will be checked at each regular visit. If needed, we can easily touch them up or replace them to maintain protection throughout the cavity-prone years.

Ready to protect your child's teeth from cavities? Call Lone Star Smiles for Kids at (817) 598-0835 to learn more about dental sealants. We serve families from Weatherford, Mineral Wells, and Springtown areas.

Children can undergo gentle sedation dentistry if administered by a licensed and trained dentist. If you have specific questions about your child’s age and sedation dentistry, please give us a call. 

Many children feel anxious about dental procedures. Some children have specific healthcare or behavioral needs that make sedation dentistry a suitable option. 

At Lone Star Smiles for Kids, Dr. Brant Boling and his team are always focused on your child’s safety and comfort. As a parent and pediatric dentist, he’ll always bring the utmost care and consideration to your child’s needs.

Sedation dentistry allows children to receive the dental treatment they need while they’re calm and comfortable. Every member of the Lone Star Smiles for Kids team is trained in pediatric sedation protocols.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a tool that permits dental teams to focus on creating positive experiences for children. This allows the staff at Lone Star Smiles for Kids to:

• Create a calm environment where the child can relax and let the team work, reducing treatment time
• Create positive memories that set a solid foundation for lifelong oral hygiene
• Care for children with special needs in a way that makes them comfortable
• Finish treatment with fewer appointments
• Do their work without causing the child pain or anxiety, particularly during longer or more complex procedures

We offer multiple sedation options and will work with you to figure out which is best for your child. If you have a child who requires dental treatment, please don't hesitate to contact us. We’d love to talk through this with you.

Your child's safety starts with careful planning. Dr. Boling will review your child's medical history and discuss any concerns. For general anesthesia, you'll meet with our board-certified anesthesiologist to create a personalized sedation plan.

Preparing for Dental Sedation

Follow these important safety guidelines:

• No food or drink after midnight the night before (including water)
• Dress your child in loose, comfortable clothing
• Bring a favorite comfort item (blanket or stuffed animal)
• Plan for an adult to stay with your child for the rest of the day

During the Dental Procedure

Our team monitors your child throughout the procedure. For in-office general anesthesia, a trained specialist stays with your child at all times to continuously monitor their breathing, heart rate, and oxygen levels. Depending on the treatment needed, most procedures take one to two hours.

Recovery and Going Home

Your child will wake up in our recovery area with our team watching closely. They might feel sleepy or dizzy for several hours. We'll ensure they're stable before sending them home with detailed care instructions.

• Let your child rest quietly at home
• Start with clear liquids, then soft foods when ready
• Give medicines as directed by Dr. Boling
• Watch for fever or unusual discomfort
• Keep your child from active play or sports

Call Lone Star Smiles at (817) 598-0835 to learn about children's sedation dentistry in North Texas. We serve families from Weatherford, Mineral Wells, and Springtown and are always here to answer your questions about your child's care.

At Lone Star Smiles for Kids, we believe exceptional special needs dental care begins with genuine relationships and understanding. Dr. Boling's thoughtful approach is based on three principles that guide every patient with your unique child.

1. Partnership with Parents

We value your expertise as a parent. No one understands your child's unique needs, preferences, and challenges better than you do. Dr. Boling begins each relationship with an in-depth conversation about your child's specific situation, previous experiences with healthcare providers, and strategies that have proven successful in other settings. 

2. Commitment to Flexibility

We've designed our practice environment and treatment protocols to be highly adaptable. Based on individual needs, we can adjust everything from appointment length to sensory accommodations. This flexible mindset means we can create positive experiences even for children who have struggled with dental visits in the past.

3. Empathy and Understanding

Every team member is carefully chosen for their clinical skills and ability to connect with children with special healthcare needs. At our dental practice, patience, empathy, and genuine care are as important as technical expertise. We celebrate each child's progress, whether completing their first successful dental cleaning or simply becoming comfortable in our dental chair.

Schedule with Our Special Needs Dentist

If you've been searching for a pediatric dentist in Weatherford, TX, for your child with special needs, we would love to welcome you to Lone Star Smiles for Kids. Please call us at (817) 598-0835 to schedule an appointment.

As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Boling partners with parents to educate them on how to protect children's smiles from cavities:

• Help your child brush twice daily, especially before bedtime.
• Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush that fits your child's mouth and replace it every three months.
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen tooth enamel (a rice-sized amount for children under three and a pea-sized amount for older children).
• Limit sugary drinks and snacks, especially sticky candies that cling to teeth.
• Offer water instead of juice or soda, particularly between meals.
• Avoid letting your child go to bed with a bottle containing anything other than water.
• Check your child's teeth regularly for early signs of decay, such as white or dark spots.
• Encourage healthy snacks like cheese, yogurt, and crunchy vegetables that help clean teeth naturally.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Regular visits to Lone Star Smiles for Kids every six months provide additional protection against cavities. During checkups, our team:

• Cleans hard-to-reach areas that brushing at home might miss
• Applies protective fluoride treatments to strengthen tooth enamel
• Demonstrates proper brushing and flossing techniques for both parents and children
• Recommends specific foods and drinks that promote dental health
• Shares fun ways to make dental care a positive part of your child's daily routine

Ready to protect your child's smile? Call us at (817) 598-0835 to schedule a checkup. We welcome families from Weatherford and surrounding communities and are here to help make cavity prevention easy and effective for your family. We accept most insurances, including Medicaid.