FAQS

Simply put, a pediatric dentist is an oral health specialist who provides a complete range of dental services to patients under the age of 18. Our dentists help kids smile, relying on our board-certified doctor to lead the way into the future. Dr. Burns was certified in 2010, and continues to work with his qualified team to be the best dentist for kids across Texas!

Taking your children to the dentist can be a time full of stress and concern. If your little one is dealing with a lot of dental anxiety, it can help to stop by one of our locations for a tour! Alligator Dental provides a comforting experience for patients of all ages, relying on our caring staff and top-notch facility to make children feel at ease once they sit in the chair.

Our pediatric dentistry offers a movie theater room, arcade, bubble walls, and a toddler play area to create a fun experience for your child. We make an extra effort to explain our services in terms that they can understand, offering support and fielding any questions along the way. We also host monthly contests and prizes, as well as a cavity-free wall to help make proper oral care fun!

Our pediatric dentistry team strives to provide the safest results for all of our patients. For our gators — ages three and older — Alligator Dental provides fast and effective dental X-rays. This process results in a very low dose of radiation, with all of the proper safety precautions taken beforehand to ensure the best results.

We recommend bringing your child in for their first visit once their first tooth erupts, or before their first birthday (whichever comes first).

Once you have visited one of our locations, your child will be expected to return every six months. Kids with oral health concerns may need to visit more frequently for their regular appointment. These twice-yearly appointments count as preventative cleanings, and give our pediatric dentists the best opportunity to check up on the status of your little one’s smile.

Yes! Alligator Dental accepts all dental insurance plans. We believe that your child should receive the best dental care regardless of your coverage, and our team will work hard to help create a lifetime of happy smiles that meets the needs of your little one, not what your insurance provider covers.

It’s important to note that our pediatric dental office is not contracted with any insurance company. While we’ll qualify as an out-of-network provider under your insurance, it can help to know that preventative treatment and care is often covered up to 100%. Our staff submits all codes electronically to ensure your premium is used to its maximum value.

Our practice believes in providing the highest level of care to every child in need. Alligator Dental proudly accepts Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage, and we can work with you to generate the best possible outcome for your little one’s oral health.

Many kids can stand to benefit from the protection offered by dental sealants. These materials serve to coat your child’s teeth along the chewing surfaces, preventing decay and future cavity growth. A sealant will cover the deep grooves along the surface, creating a layer of protection that is hard to beat. Children and adults of all ages can benefit from sealants if needed.

The age at which your child can benefit from the corrective measures of braces will depend entirely on the condition of your child’s smile. We see a lot of patients who are ready for braces between the ages of 12 and 13, while some kids require corrections closer to seven years of age. If you’re worried about the condition of your little one’s teeth, Alligator Dental is here and always happy to make recommendations!

We recommend allowing your little one to begin brushing on their own as soon as they are able to demonstrate that they can do it on their own without any adult intervention. This milestone typically occurs close to the time that your child can tie their own shoes. Most children begin brushing their own teeth between the ages of six and eight.

Many parents believe that proper brushing and flossing are enough to maintain a healthy smile, but the reality is that what you eat can have a serious impact on your teeth. Sugary, starchy foods can increase the likelihood of tooth decay while fruits, vegetables, grains, and meats can support the opposite outcome. Nutrition is key to many aspects of the human body, including your smile!