FAQ
Questions?
Our Office & Paying Us a Visit
What can I expect in my first visit?
You and your child will first be welcomed by one of our highly trained dental assistants, and then will answer a few questions about your child’s overall and oral health. Depending upon your child’s age and level of dental development, a professional dental cleaning may be provided next. After the dental cleaning, Dr. Johnson will perform a comprehensive examination and develop a plan for future treatment the you may want or need. Further treatment is rarely performed at the first visit to allow proper preparation of your child for future visits.
How do I prepare my child for their visit?
We recommend you don’t prepare your child at all! Just like other “new” experiences (like a first trip to the zoo), most children need absolutely no preparation except for their parents to be positive, supportive, and excited about their child’s first visit to the dentist (just like a trip to the zoo!!). Please allow us to introduce your child to our fun environment, and don’t try to explain too much to your child.
How do I pay for services?
Full payment for services is due when the services are provided. We accept cash, check, or credit card payment, and provide a payment plan option through CareCredit. If you have dental insurance, we will estimate your dental insurance benefit on the day of treatment and file dental insurance claims for you; however, your estimated portion of payment is required at the time of service.
What do I do if I have and emergency or urgent dental need?
Call our office at 402-423-3322 and follow the voicemail directions so you can speak with our scheduler during the daytime, or you can connect with Dr. Johnson directly during evenings and weekends.
What is the best way to get to your office at the Bryan Pine Lake Plaza?
Our office is located just inside Entrance A of the Bryan Pine Lake Plaza, which is on the 40th Street side of the building.
What forms of sedation do you offer?
We can administer Nitrous Oxide (“laughing gas”) to help make office dental treatment procedures (dental fillings, crowns or extractions) easier for your child. If your child is very anxious and/or is unable to safely cooperate for dental treatment in our dental office, we can provide necessary dental treatment procedures under general anesthesia at local surgery centers and hospitals.
About Pediatric Dentistry
What is a Pediatric Dentist?
A Pediatric Dentist helps ensure your child’s oral health and provides care in a comfortable, age-appropriate setting. A Pediatric Dentist provides both routine and specialty oral health care for infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. After four years of dental school, a Pediatric Dentist completes two years of additional specialty training which includes in-depth experiences in preventive care, growth and development, behavior management techniques, treatment of traumatic injuries, and treatment using sedation and general anesthesia.
At what age should my child first see a dentist?
Your child’s first dental visit should be within 6 months of eruption of the first tooth, but no later than 1 year of age.
Until what age will my child see a pediatric dentist?
Your child will usually maintain care with a pediatric dentist until approximately 18 years of age. At that time, young adults will usually have adult dental needs and will be best served by a general dentist.
What do you do if my young child won’t cooperate for the dentist’s examination?
Young children are often hesitant, scared, or resistant during an examination by a dentist – that is normal! Usually, a young child will do best for the dentist’s examination when they are laying down on a parent’s lap in a “knee to knee” position with the dentist. We will show you how to achieve the most comfortable examination for your child (and you can practice this at home!).
Is Nitrous Oxide (“laughing gas”) safe, and how long will it last?
Nitrous Oxide, or “laughing gas”, is a very safe gas that children and adolescents can breathe during dental treatment to help reduce anxiety and to provide them an overall feeling of relaxation. Nitrous Oxide will be cleared completely from your child’s body before the end of he dental appointment, so there will be no feeling of the Nitrous Oxide after your child leaves our dental office.
Do wisdom teeth need to be removed?
Wisdom teeth (a.k.a. third molars) are often removed in late teenage years, usually due to discomfort, failure to fully erupt, or due to abnormal position which can damage adjacent teeth. However, some individuals can maintain their wisdom teeth for their entire life.
Oral Hygiene
Should I brush my baby’s teeth after nursing at nighttime?
Yes. Brushing your infant’s teeth with a smear-size (similar to a rice grain) of fluoride toothpaste is recommended after eruption of the first tooth. After age 1, nighttime nursing, eating, or drinking (other than water) places your infant at a higher risk of getting cavities, so brushing your infant’s teeth as the last step before sleeping is very important.
When can children start using fluoride toothpaste?
An adult should brush an infant’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste starting with the eruption of the first primary tooth. Use a very small, smear-size (similar to a rice grain) of fluoride toothpaste until age 3.
When should children start flossing?
Help your child use dental floss to clean their teeth when the primary teeth have no space between them – this may occur as early as age 3. Using a “handled flosser” is easiest for young children.
Is fluoride safe for children?
Fluoride is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust, and is very safe when used as directed in toothpaste and mouth rinses. Using fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses significantly reduces your child’s chance of getting dental caries (“cavities”).
How long do I need to help my children brush their teeth?
You should brush your child’s teeth twice daily until they are around 5 years of age. Before that age, encourage your child to brush their own teeth first (then you brush for them also). Around 5 years of age, you can start brushing for your child every other day, and each year brush one less day per week. When your child is around 10 years of age, they should be demonstrating good brushing technique and brushing completely on their own.
When should my child start using “adult” toothpaste?
Your child can use adult toothpaste any time they wish – adult toothpaste has the same level of fluoride as a “kid’s” anticavity toothpaste. Adult toothpastes are usually more minty/spicy and may be slightly more abrasive, and your child can use that toothpaste if they prefer that flavor/consistency.
Does the flavor of toothpaste matter?
Flavor is only important in creating interest in brushing — help your child select an anticavity toothpaste (one that contains fluoride) that helps create interest in brushing their teeth twice daily!
Transitioning from Baby to Permanent Teeth
When do children start losing their teeth?
Most children start losing their front central incisors around 6 years of age.
My child has a permanent tooth erupting behind a primary tooth – what do I do?
It is common for lower permanent teeth to erupt on the “tongue side” of the existing primary teeth. Children should wiggle on the primary tooth to help it exfoliate, preferably for a few minutes at mealtimes 3 times per day. If the permanent tooth is as tall as the primary tooth, and the primary tooth is not getting more loose after a week or two of effort, call our office for an examination and Dr. Johnson may recommend removal of the primary tooth.
When do children get their permanent molars?
The first permanent molars erupt around age 6, and the second permanent molars erupt around age 12. Wisdom teeth (third molars) may erupt during late teenage years.
Why are my child’s permanent teeth darker than their baby teeth?
Permanent teeth are normally slightly “yellower” compared to the previous primary teeth – this is normal and healthy. The only effective way to lighten the color of permanent teeth is with a dental bleaching agent, which is only recommended after the full eruption of all permanent teeth (usually no earlier than 14 years of age).
D SDecember 28, 2023High level customer service! Thank you so much!!!
Maureen FineganDecember 20, 2023Exceptional care from Dr. Brent D. Johnson, DDS, MS, and his team! Their empathy, professionalism, and genuine concern made my daughter's teeth extraction a positive experience. They were remarkably calming and attentive to her needs, considering both epilepsy and mental health. Grateful for a compassionate dental practice that goes above and beyond! I highly recommend them!
Marie PetersonDecember 19, 2023This place is amazing! Dr. Johnson is one of a kind! I kinda wish the kids can stay forever ;) thanks to all! You won't think twice on this place, it's perfect! 💜 🪥
Diana BernalDecember 14, 2023El dentista es muy amable y siempre hacen solo lo necesario para nuestros hijos nunca los lastiman ni hacen procesos innecesarios!! El Mejor dentista de Lincoln
Corinne McclureDecember 11, 2023Just awesome!
amelita termaatNovember 27, 2023Dr. Johnson is super friendly, great in explaining the procedure to kids and parents as he is doing it. Highly recommend.
Ashley HowardOctober 20, 2023I have been taking my son to Dr. Johnson for 10 years. He has a great way of making kids feel comfortable and making sure all my questions are thoroughly answered. Highly recommend him
April PeplinskiOctober 14, 2023We love Pediatric Dentistry, P.C.! Dr. Brent Johnson is the absolute best! His staff is great also! My kiddos truly love going to the dentist! :)