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PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY

DR. JASON GAMBILL

Are you looking for a pediatric dentist in the Bossier City area? Dr. Gambill is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry as well as a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association. He is passionate about kids’ dental health and provides the expertise and education needed to give your child a healthy smile for life.

WHEN SHOULD YOU MAKE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DENTIST APPOINTMENT?

The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that your child visit a dentist by his or her first birthday.

WHERE IS YOUR OFFICE LOCATED?

We have four offices located in Bossier City, Shreveport, Natchitoches, and Minden. We are always looking for opportunities to make quality care more accessible to our patients.

WHY SEE A PEDIATRIC DENTIST VS. A REGULAR DENTIST?

Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children. Dr. Gambill and his team have extensive experience working with children’s teeth and gums from infancy to their teenage years. We currently have four pediatric dental specialists serving our patients’ needs.

HOW CAN I DO MY PART TO TEACH MY CHILD GOOD DENTAL HABITS?

Proper care of baby teeth is important for the future health and development of your child’s smile. Introduce your baby to oral hygiene by laying them in your lap and wiping a soft damp cloth gently over their gums. By the time your child is 2 years old, you may begin helping them brush their teeth twice a day with a soft brush and teaching them to floss.

ANY OTHER TIPS FOR A HEALTHY SMILE?

When possible, ensure your child has water to drink instead of sugary drinks or juices, and NEVER put your baby to bed with milk or juice. Avoid gummy vitamins, as they are full of sugar and stick to your baby’s teeth.

DENTAL CARE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE IT IS OKAY TO BE A KID AND HAVING FUN IS ENCOURAGED!

The team at Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport Bossier encourages kids to have fun. We love to see them smile! One way we encourage excitement within the community is with regular visits from Twinkle, our very own Tooth Fairy! Twinkle loves to visit local schools and teach kids of all ages the importance of oral health and helping them learn to care for their smiles in a way that is informative and fun.

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FAMILY DENTISTRY

HOOPER FAMILY DENTISTRY

WHEN SHOULD I BRING MY CHILD TO START SEEING THE DENTIST?

A good rule of thumb is if you can see that their “baby” teeth are coming in, then it is probably a good time to go ahead and bring them in to see a dentist for a simple  exam. The dentist can not only check their new teeth coming in, but also, and often, more importantly, their tongue, tonsils, and their airway. They also can check to see if any tethered tissues may be causing problems with nursing, feeding, talking, and even proper breathing.

WHAT ARE TETHERED ORAL TISSUES?

Tethered oral tissues or “TOTS” for short are areas where there are restrictions in movement due to excessive tissue attachment. Everyone has probably heard the word “tongue-tied” at some point in their lives. Believe it or not, this is a real diagnosis and condition for lots of people! Along with tongue-ties, there are also lip ties on the top lip! Infants born with these ‘TOTS’ can struggle tremendously nursing due to the inability to get a good latch. They also may snore at night due to the tongue not moving freely, thereby creating an airway concern. When they get to the point of trying to talk, they may struggle to speak properly and enunciate certain words.

HOW CAN THESE “TIES” BE FIXED?

There are a couple of ways these problems can be revised in your child, and the sooner the revision, the better. One of the best options to “fix” these lip and tongue ties is with a medical laser. Similar to the way tattoos can be removed, we can use a special laser that can “cut” the tissues. It sounds like a terrible process, but actually, it is far easier than the traditional method of using either scissors or a scalpel. The process as a whole takes no longer than 30 seconds with a properly trained doctor who has the right equipment. Lasers not only cut and relieve the restrictions, but they also cauterize the wound as the cutting is done, creating almost little to no bleeding. There are other post-procedure exercises the parent needs to perform with the child to prevent any reattaching of the tissues, but the reattachment after having laser revision is much lower than in the traditional method of using scissors or scalpel. If you have questions, it’s always best to consult with your doctors before deciding which method best fits your baby’s needs!

5148 AIRLINE DRIVE, BOSSIER CITY • 318.742.2272 • 1613 JIMMIE DAVIS HWY SUITE 1, BOSSIER CITY • 318.752.3939 • WWW.HOOPERFAMILYDENTISTRY.COM

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