Pediatric dentistry of bonita springs

5 Benefits of Visiting a Pediatric Dentist

The Difference

Let’s face it – for some in past years visiting the dentist wasn’t the most fairy tale experience.  Put your mind to ease by selecting a multi award winning practice and the most loved pediatric dentist in Southwest Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates who are specially trained and board certified for treating pediatric patients.

While general dentists can perform the same work, visiting a pediatric dentist provides a slew of extra benefits:

Office Decor 

We’ve got fun just about everywhere you look! From video games, to community initiatives and educational lobby experiences for children of all ages to enjoy!

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Better Training

Kids aren’t always the most cooperative of patients.  A pediatric dentist has at least two additional years of training beyond dental school solely focused on treating young patients.

In the additional training, the focus is on child psychology, growth/development, and learning all of the tips and tricks of the trade for examining and treating children.

Specialized Treatment

In the circumstance that your child needs more comprehensive dental treatment, pediatric dentists are specially trained to handle special needs and to children with extensive dental treatment needs.

Oral Health Care Education

Since Pediatric Dentistry of Florida’s staff work solely with kids,  we know how to engage in educational learning.  Even more, we have props and teaching tools that are appropriate for all ages. To become part of our dental family, please fill out the form below and we will contact you immediately as possible. Thank you and we look forward to serving you!

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    Local Dentist Named One of America’s Best

    The National Consumer Advisory Board has named Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim M. Verwest, DMD one of America’s best dentist for 2018. Dr. Verwest selection is based on a proprietary assessment of a dentists experience, training, continuing education, and commitment to excellence to ensure the most impartial unbiased review of all applicants.

    Dr. Verwest is a board certified diplomat of the National Board of Pediatric Dentistry with professional interests in the areas of pediatric pharmacology, biomaterials, and pediatric anesthesia.  He believes in lifelong learning and continues his education by taking courses in pediatric sedation, pediatric oncology, sealants, prosthetics, pediatric cosmetic dentistry, pediatric materials, childhood growth and development, and more.

    Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates continues to provide pediatric dental care to children for the last 26 years. Areas of service include comprehensive dental exams, cleanings, composite fillings, dental hygiene education, extractions, fluoride treatments, sealants, sedation dentistry, space maintainers, x-rays and tooth nerve treatment. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

     

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    Contact:

    Jeffrey Shafer, Director of Marketing, (239) 482-2722 x 209, communityoutreach@drverwest.com

    Good Dental Care Habits For Kids

    You may have a lot of questions about your child’s teeth, especially if you are a new parent. But whether you are a new parent or have 10 kids, you know your children need to practice good dental care habits. So here are the answers to some of our frequently asked questions.

    1. First things first: start young.

    The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry encourages parents to take their children to the dentist when they turn 1 year old, or six months after their first tooth comes in. You may be thinking this is a little early for a dentist visit, but it isn’t. That first tooth that comes in is accessible to plaque, which can lead to cavities and other complications. Your pediatric dentist will be able to educate you about your child’s mouth and the proper steps needed to have a healthy smile.
    This is also a good time to get advice on your child’s bad oral habits such as thumb/finger sucking and pacifier use. Don’t be a stranger. Follow up with your pediatric dentist as often as every six months. They will be able to assist you in making an oral care schedule for you child.

    After jumping the hurdle of getting your children to visit the dentist, their good oral habits need to continue at home. Teaching your children proper oral hygiene habits is an investment into their overall health. Some parents may have difficulty getting their children to brush and floss everyday because “it’s not fun.” Encourage proper techniques and habits, leading by example. Show them how it’s done and they will follow suit. There are, however, some techniques you can pick up to try and make it more fun.

    2. Let children pick their toothbrush and toothpaste.

    There is a wide range of different products. Colors, characters, electric — kids can personalize their brushing experience to their liking. Making their own choices will help spark their interest in dental care so it won’t seem so much like a chore. Just make sure whatever they choose is approved by the FDA and ADA. Look for those letters on the packaging.

    3. Offer rewards and incentives.

    Parents aren’t perfect, and sometimes a little bribe here and there will work. Start small – offer extra play time or a treat over the weekend. We don’t recommend big rewards every day; this can lead to an expectation of gifts and parents definitely don’t want that. Small rewards over a larger period of time will allow for “weaning” off this technique, at the same time encouraging good oral care.

    4. Educate your child.

    Your children are like sponges. Teach them everything you know about oral health care and the consequences of not following proper cleaning techniques. Colorful charts are always a plus, and get your older children in on the action. Your young children look up to their siblings and are likely to follow what they are doing.

    5. Make it a routine.

    Children respond well to patterns and routines. Make sure to incorporate good dental care into their morning, afternoon, and evening routine. Make sure they are using proper techniques and ask your dentist if you have any questions about how to improve their daily routines.

    If you have more questions about getting your children to follow good oral hygiene habits, feel free to contact us for more information. After all, we want to keep our younger generations smiling big!

    10 Of The Most Interesting Facts About Teeth

    You may not think about your teeth much. You might even consider them boring. But here are 10 fun and interesting facts about your teeth that just might catch your attention.

    1. Teeth are like fingerprints; no two teeth are the same. Even identical twins have signature teeth that are individually special to the person.

    2. Saliva acts as a rinse to rid teeth of sugar and bacteria. We produce around one to two quarts of saliva a day, which adds up to two swimming pools worth of saliva in a person’s lifetime.

    3. About 73 percent of Americans would rather go grocery shopping than floss their teeth.

    4. Each year, approximately 5 million teeth are lost to sports related injuries.

    5. George Washington’s legendary wood dentures are a hoax. The President’s dentures were constructed from gold, lead, and elephant and hippopotamus ivory.

    6. Children between the ages of 5 and 6 usually have 20 teeth, while adults have around 32 permanent, including wisdom teeth.

    7. Newborn babies are generally perceived as toothless. However, 1 in 2,000 babies is born with a tooth.

    8. Before minty fresh toothpaste was invented, a concoction of charcoal, ash, chalk, lemon juice, tobacco, and honey was used to clean teeth.

    9. Teeth grills may have originated as early as 2,500 years ago, as some Native American tribes were infamous for teeth bedazzling, using resin to embed gems in their teeth.

    10. The plaque found on your teeth is composed of more than 300 species of bacteria. (Yuck!)

    Procrastinating a Dental Visit?

    Whether being busy, or having anxiety about going to the dentist, procrastinating a visit can have serious consequences.

    When we see a patient due to pain or sensitivity, often this pain and the treatment they consequently have to receive could have been prevented. In some cases, the issued could have been avoided by maintaining proper oral hygiene and dental checkups every six months.

    Checkups allow dentist to help you prevent issues or catch issues early. Early detection, before symptoms of pain appear, is often extremely important and can dramatically reduce the amount of treatment needed.

    There is a higher chance of cavities forming, gum disease, or a number of other oral issues in the duration of a dental absence. This can lead to tons of dreadful side effects, including root damage, severe tooth aches, and even tooth loss.

    If your little one hasn’t been to the dentist in over six months, they’re due for a visit! We recommend you schedule an appointment as soon as possible and continue to schedule regular visits every six months. In addition, if you experience any discomfort or pain, do not delay seeing a dentist. Making time for a visit will provide healthy and pain-free smiles to last a lifetime!

    Why And How NOT To Fear The Dentist

    So the day has finally come for your dental appointment. You may be super anxious, but there’s no need to freak out! We have some things for you to think about and try to soothe those nerves away before heading into the dentist’s office.

    1. Remember that it might not be as bad as you think- you could be overthinking which can cause you to stress more.
    2. Bring a companion with you! Your parent, friend, or family members can lessen any stress you may be having by keeping you company and assuring you that everything will be okay.
    3. Breathe, breathe, BREATHE! For a relaxation technique, take a big breath in and let it out slowly. It’ll do wonders if your nerves start getting the better of you.
    4. Stay hydrated and have something to eat to make sure you feel good before seeing the dentist.
    5. Doctors are here to help you! The outcome of any procedure is to better your teeth or any problem you may be having. Keep looking forward to that positive outcome you will receive.
    6. Remember that this procedure won’t last forever and it’ll all be over before you know it. Once it is, you’ll feel like a million bucks!

    Are You Brushing Too Much?

    All you smile lovers out there strive to keep your teeth healthy and bacteria-free, am I right? But how much cleaning is too much cleaning? We have the answers on when to clean, how much to clean, and if you need to lessen your teeth cleaning schedules.

    First, lets establish some downfalls of brushing too much:

    1. Over-brushing can cause tooth enamel to wear down, which can cause higher risks of tooth decay
    2. It can cause damage to your gums, exposing the root area
    3. Teeth become more sensitive and prone to cavities when being brushed more than they should

     

    So now to avoid these problems, how often should you brush every day? The answer: Two times a day for two minutes each time. Preferably one time in the morning and one time before heading to bed. That’s it! Simple as that. Be sure to use gentle strokes and not vigorously brush off the enamel that acts as a shield for tooth decay. So no worries, you and your smile will have brighter and brighter days yet to come!

    Dr. Verwest voted Hulafrog’s ‘most loved ‘pediatric dentist

    HulaFrog awarded Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & Associates the most loved pediatric dentist for 2018. Hulafrog is a local site featuring all kid-friendly businesses and events around town. Readers voted for their favorite businesses in each category over the month of January. For more of the ‘most loved’ list, click here.

    This is Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD, & associates second straight year winning the ‘most loved’ award from Hulafrog. For more information, visit www.DrVerwest.com or (239) 482-2722.

    Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD collects 930 lbs. of food for Harry Chapin Food Bank

    Pediatric Dentistry of Ft. Myers, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD collected 930 lbs. of can-food donations during their “Touch-a-Truck’ event. All food collected will benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida.

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    Dr. Verwest Presents – Touch-a-Truck Fort Myers 2018


    Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, Dr. Tim Verwest, DMD & associates is hosting the second annual family-friendly ‘Touch-a-Truck’ Fort Myers on Saturday, April 21, from 11 am to 2 pm.

    Touch-a-Truck is a hands-on experience where children will be able to learn about their favorite trucks and vehicles, plus interact with those who drive them.

    (Click above to share touch-a-truck on  Facebook)

    Featured vehicles will include emergency service, law enforcement, military, public service, and commercial businesses.

    Other activities include trackless train rides, pony rides, and face painting,  photo booth, costume character meet & greet, and food trucks. Please bring can food donations benefiting the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida for entry.

    There will be a special ‘horn-free’ hour from 11 am to 12 pm for children with special needs and sensitive ears. Touch-a-Truck is free to the general public and is located at Pediatric Dentistry of Florida, 8016 Summerlin Lakes Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33907.