RichmondMom.com » Richmond Pediatric Dentistry

Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates Share Tips for Successful Pediatric Dental Visits

Kate Semp — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:19:12 +0000

Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associate’s goal is to help every child (and parent) have a successful, happy visit. There are lots of things parents can do to help prepare their kids for a visit to the dentist, and the Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associate team want to help parents by providing them tips for a successful visit.

Elizabeth Miller, DDS MS, and Richmond Mom

If parents try even just 1 or 2 of these things, most kids would not be as nervous or scared once they step foot in the office. Even if a child does melt down before or during treatment, it’s important to remember that the dentists and staff are trained professionals and can handle any situation. Believe me, they’ve seen worse than the worst tantrum your kid can dish out. That’s why most children respond better to a dedicated pediatric dental office environment.

5 Things Parents Need to Know About the Dentist is your starting guide to a successful dental visit with your child and a long lasting dental health!

Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates is an advertiser of Richmondmom.com.

A Healthy Pregnancy Includes a Visit to the Dentist

Kate Semp — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:43:30 +0000

This month Dr. Liz talks to us about pregnancy and dental care. I am pretty obsessed with my dental care but will admit it was hard to go when I was pregnant. I was so queasy the idea of laying back with hands in my mouth had my stomach doing extra flips. But I was pleased to discover how sensitive to my situation everyone was and made sure to fit in an appointment with each pregnancy. – Kate S.

From Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates

Most expectant mothers go out of their way to eat well, avoid unhealthy situations, and give their baby the best chance at arriving happy and healthy. But many don’t realize that visiting the dentist while pregnant is just as important as regular checkups with your OB and primary care physician. Why? Because untreated cavities, gum disease, or infections can be very harmful to unborn children. Treatment options for pregnant women are available, but prevention and diligence are the keys to heading off problems before they start.

Dr. Liz explains how your pregnancy visits will differ from a normal dental checkup and why establishing good habits early will improve your child’s health before they are born, but also set a good example to teach them how to take care of their own teeth. This can greatly improve their overall health not just before they are born, but for their entire lives!

Visiting the dentist with an autistic child

Kate Hall — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 14:40:57 +0000

Elizabeth Miller, DDS MS, and Richmond Mom

April is National Autism Month, and as the epidemic of children on the autism spectrum grows comes the need for specialized care for their families.

Autistic children and their families are frequently confronted with many challenges in creating and maintaining good dental health – including difficulty with changes in routine, restricted diets, sensitivity to certain sounds and lights, and limitations on manual dexterity leading to difficulty brushing.

The team at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates specializes in pediatric dentristy

Children with autism may also have cognitive delays which poses difficulty at the dentist office when trying to explain dental procedures to the child.

General anesthesia, while effective and safe when administered properly, is not the only solution. Some children respond well to behavior management techniques and can be adequately prepared if parents are involved in explaining what to expect before even setting foot in the waiting room.

Our office specializes in treating special needs children and adults, and we’ve put together a few tips that may make your next trip the dentist a little easier for your child and you. Click here for more information on visiting the dentist with an autistic child by the dentists at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates.

Fluoride in Richmond’s City Water Supplies: What a local pediatric dentist thinks

Kate Hall — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 01:28:07 +0000

Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates Pediatric Dentistry has gotten a lot of questions about the recent changes in guidelines for fluoride in city water supplies.

Many Richmond parents are confused by the City of Richmond’s decision to lower the fluoride levels in our community water supplies. The topic has received on the local and national news because a lot of people have come out for and against the revised guidelines. The CDC has named public water fluoridation as one of the 10 best public health initiatives in the past century because of the dramatic decline in the number of cavities in children.

The team at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller and Associates specializes in pediatric dentristy

The City of Richmond has decided to lower the fluoride levels in city water supplies to levels recommended by the EPA and CDC, and supported by the American Dental Association (ADA). The decision should help prevent over-fluoridation, or fluorosis, that can cause stained, spotted, and pitted teeth in kids and young adults that consume too much fluoride. Since fluoride is now present in toothpaste, mouth rinses and other sources, city water supplies no longer need to contain as much fluoride to help fight cavities.

Our practice supports the decision and parents have nothing to worry about, but there are some things Richmond parents need to know to keep their kids healthy.

Richmond Pediatric Dentists Offer Help for Toothaches

Kate Hall — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 21:53:59 +0000

The Team at Atkins, Maestrello and Miller & Associates Pediatric Dentistry--and friends

Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates is offering a four-part series on dental health in honor of National Children’s Dental Health Month.

Dental Emergencies Part 1: Severe Toothache and Infection
Dental Emergencies Part 2: Broken or Chipped Teeth
Dental Emergencies Part 3: Knocked Out & Missing Teeth

Don’t forget to enter their coloring contest to get your child excited about taking care of their teeth! No purchase is required, and it’s a fun and easy way to get Richmond kids into taking care of their dental health.

Elizabeth Miller, DDS MS, and Richmond Mom

Elizabeth Miller is a pediatric dentist at Atkins, Maestrello, Miller & Associates Pediatric Dentistry in Richmond, VA. She is a new mother, active runner and her favorite movie is “Finding Nemo”