Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions parents ask most, from first visits to insurance to frenectomy care.
First Visits & New Patients
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The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your child's first visit within six months of their first tooth appearing, or by their first birthday at the latest.
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We move at your child's pace, explain everything in simple, friendly language, and never rush a visit. Many anxious first-timers leave looking forward to their next appointment.
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Bring your child's insurance card if you have one, a list of any medications and allergies, and any questions you have for the doctor. If we've sent forms ahead of time, bring those completed.
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We are open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Friday by appointment, and closed Saturday and Sunday.
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LifeSmiles is located at 2775 E Grand River Ave, Suite 3, Howell, MI 48843, serving families throughout Howell and Livingston County.
Insurance & Payment
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LifeSmiles Pediatric Dentistry accepts Delta Dental insurance. If your family has Delta Dental, bring your card to your child's visit and our team will handle your coverage with you, including explaining any portion that is your responsibility before treatment begins.
Out-of-network patients pay for care up front, and LifeSmiles will submit the claim to your insurance company for reimbursement. That means your insurer repays you directly under your plan's out-of-network terms, rather than paying our office. -
Call our office at 517-518-8620 and we'll walk you through your payment options before your child's visit.
General Dental Care
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Most children should visit the dentist every six months for a routine checkup and cleaning. Your dentist may recommend more frequent visits depending on your child's individual oral health needs.
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Children can typically start using a small, rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first tooth appears, increasing to a pea-sized amount around age three. LifeSmiles can give you specific guidance based on your child's age and risk of cavities.
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Yes. Sealants are a safe, well-established preventative treatment used widely in pediatric dentistry to protect molars from decay, with no drilling or discomfort involved in applying them.
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No. Applying a sealant is quick and painless, usually taking just a few minutes per tooth with no anesthesia needed.
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Dental x-rays are a standard part of monitoring tooth and jaw development, but how often they're needed depends on your child's age, risk of cavities, and dental history. Dr. Gail or Dr. Kelsey will recommend a schedule that's right for your child.
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Yes. Dr. Gail is an active Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and Dr. Kelsey has a Master’s degree in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Michigan.
Unlike a general dentist, a pediatric dentist completes 2 years of additional specialty training after dental school, focused only on infants, children, and teens. Both of our dentists completed that training, and our practice is active in the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
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Yes. Our doctors have specific training and experience in treating children with special healthcare needs, including hospital-based care and full-mouth rehabilitation under sedation or general anesthesia when appropriate.
Fillings, Crowns & Extractions
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Children often don't recognize a cavity themselves. Eating, drinking, or speaking less than usual can be a sign, and cavities are the most common cause of tooth pain in children. If you notice either, schedule a visit promptly.
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We use white composite fillings that match the natural color of your child's tooth. The resin is molded to the tooth, hardened with a special light, then shaped and polished.
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We numb the area so your child doesn't feel the treatment. Dr. Gail uses techniques designed to reduce discomfort, and laser options can sometimes reduce or avoid injections. Parents are welcome to stay in the room.
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Yes. Parents are welcome to stay with their child during treatment.
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Baby teeth help children chew, speak, and hold space for adult teeth. When a baby tooth has extensive decay or damage, a crown protects it so it can stay in place until it falls out naturally.
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For front teeth we suggest white zirconia crowns or pre-veneered stainless steel crowns, which look natural. For back teeth, stainless steel crowns are a durable and affordable option. Dr. Gail or Dr. Kelsey will help you choose.
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The tooth and surrounding gum are numbed first, so your child shouldn't feel the treatment. Placing a crown is a routine procedure, and we explain each step in simple language.
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Crowns on baby teeth are designed to stay in place until the tooth falls out on its own. We check the crown at your child's regular visits.
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We always try to save a tooth first. Extraction is recommended when a tooth has severe decay or infection that can't be repaired, has been badly damaged, is blocking an adult tooth from coming in, or needs to be removed as part of orthodontic planning.
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No. We numb the area before removing the tooth, so your child may feel pressure but shouldn't feel pain. We explain each step beforehand, and sedation may be an option for anxious children.
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Usually not. Most loose baby teeth fall out on their own. Call us if an adult tooth is coming in behind a baby tooth that hasn't loosened, or if a loose tooth is causing pain.
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A space maintainer is a small appliance that holds open the space left by a baby tooth that came out early, so nearby teeth don't drift in and crowd the adult tooth. Your doctor will tell you if your child needs one.
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Start with soft, cool foods such as yogurt, applesauce, or smoothies eaten with a spoon, and avoid straws for the first day. Your child can return to a normal diet as the area heals. We'll give you instructions for your child's specific situation.
Conscious Sedation
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For appropriate patients who are screened carefully and monitored throughout treatment, sedation is a well-established way to provide dental care. Your doctor will review your child's health history and medications before recommending it.
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With conscious sedation your child stays relaxed and sleepy but keeps breathing independently and can respond to simple voice or touch. General anesthesia puts a child fully to sleep. Your doctor will recommend the option that fits your child's needs and the treatment planned.
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Sedation can help very young children who can't yet hold still for treatment, children with strong dental anxiety, children who need longer or more extensive treatment, and children with special healthcare needs.
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Usually yes. The exact instructions depend on your child's age and the type of sedation, so we give you written directions before the appointment. Following them closely keeps your child safe.
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Not necessarily. Many nervous children do well with a patient, gentle approach and no medication. We recommend sedation only when it is the best choice for your child's safety and comfort.
Frenectomy & Tongue-Tie
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A laser frenectomy uses a precise dental laser to release the small band of tissue (the frenulum) that restricts the tongue or upper lip. The procedure takes about one to two minutes and doesn't need anesthesia or stitches.
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Common signs in babies include trouble latching, clicking sounds during feeding, long feedings, slow weight gain, and pain for the nursing parent. Only a hands-on exam can confirm a tongue-tie, so schedule an evaluation if you have concerns.
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It is virtually painless for most children. With our CO2 laser, the procedure often takes less than a minute, and your child can usually nurse or eat soon after.
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No. Our laser frenectomy doesn't require anesthesia, which is especially helpful for infants and toddlers.
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There is no single best age. Babies with feeding trouble can be evaluated in the first weeks of life, and toddlers and older children can be treated when speech, eating, or tongue movement is affected. Dr. Gail will recommend timing after an exam.
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Recovery is usually quick, with minimal swelling and discomfort. You'll receive aftercare instructions for your child's age, which may include gentle stretching exercises to keep the area from tightening as it heals.
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Tongue-tie can limit tongue movement for some children, which may affect certain speech sounds. Speech delays have many causes, so we recommend an evaluation by both a speech-language pathologist and our team to see whether a tie is playing a role.
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Coverage varies by plan. Contact our office with your insurance information and we'll help you understand what to expect before the visit.
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We use a CO2 soft-tissue laser, which is designed for precise work on the delicate tissue under the tongue and lip. Because it seals the tissue as it works, there is very little bleeding, and no stitches are needed.
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A traditional frenectomy uses a scalpel or scissors and sometimes stitches. A laser frenectomy is quicker, typically involves less bleeding and swelling, lowers the risk of infection, and needs no stitches.
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A tie can tighten again as the area heals, which is why aftercare and follow-up matter. Following the instructions we give you helps lower that chance.
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Yes. We are glad to coordinate with your child's pediatrician and lactation consultant so everyone is working toward the same goal. For speech therapy and myofunctional therapy, we work with AtoZ Speech Therapy in Brighton, and we can help connect you when therapy would support your child's feeding or speech after a release.
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A lip-tie is a tight band of tissue connecting the upper lip to the gum. Many children have a visible band and no problems. It is treated only when it interferes with feeding, brushing, or comfort.
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Not by itself. A gap between the upper front teeth is normal in many children and often closes as adult teeth come in. Your dentist can tell you whether the tissue is playing any role.
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For some babies, yes. When a tongue-tie or lip-tie limits how well a baby can latch or transfer milk, releasing the tie may make feeding easier. Because feeding trouble has many causes, we recommend keeping your lactation consultant and pediatrician involved.
Dental Emergencies
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A dental emergency includes a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, severe tooth pain, swelling in the mouth or face, and bleeding from an injury to the mouth. Call us right away and we'll tell you what to do next.
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First, find out whether it is a baby tooth or an adult tooth. Never put a baby tooth back in the socket. For an adult tooth, hold it by the crown, rinse it gently with milk or water without scrubbing, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it in milk. Call us immediately, because the sooner the tooth is treated, the better its chance of survival.
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It still deserves a call. A baby tooth usually isn't put back in, but we want to make sure no part of the tooth was left behind and that the adult tooth underneath wasn't affected.
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Call our office at 517-518-8620 for instructions. For trouble breathing, heavy bleeding that won't stop, spreading facial swelling, or a serious head or jaw injury, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.