Whether you are booking for yourself or for your child, these are the questions we get asked most often in Oak Cliff. The answers come from Dr. Farnaz Athari and our team.
The children’s questions come first, from a baby’s first tooth through the teen years. The adult ones follow: coming back after a long gap, nerves about treatment, checkups, toothache and how payment works. If yours is not here, call us on (469) 250-4775 and ask.
Dr. Farnaz Athari recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit at six months old or when their first teeth begin to appear. “On average, the first teeth come in at about six months, so that’s the ideal time to start,” she explains. This early visit helps detect potential developmental issues and teaches parents how to care for new teeth and gums from the start.
Yes. “A common misconception is that baby teeth are disposable,” says Dr. Athari. “But they play a critical role in your child’s oral development and future permanent teeth.” Parents should begin brushing and flossing as soon as the first teeth erupt, brushing twice daily and flossing at least once daily.
Dr. Athari advises keeping things positive and simple. “Stop talking about the bad parts,” she says. “Parents often build anxiety by sharing their own fears about dentistry. Instead, focus on the fun side, tell your child the dentist will count their teeth and they’ll get a prize at the end.” Keeping the conversation upbeat helps children form a healthy, confident attitude toward dental care.
Each first visit is age-appropriate and designed to build trust. “For children three and older, we take X-rays, check the health of the teeth, and do a gentle cleaning,” Dr. Athari explains. “For children under three, the visit is done on the parent’s lap for comfort.” The focus of the first appointment is to create a positive, fun experience and to build comfort with the dental environment. “Even if treatment is needed, I never do it on the first visit,” she adds. “That time is for building trust.”
Every six months. “Ideally, kids should be seen every six months for cleanings and X-rays,” says Dr. Athari. She also notes the importance of regular X-rays to catch hidden problems early, even when insurance coverage varies. “X-rays are an essential part of preventive care and shouldn’t be skipped because of coverage limits,” she emphasizes.
Preventive care at Smile Design Family Dentistry focuses on good habits, nutrition, and early detection. “The best prevention is brushing and flossing,” says Dr. Athari. “We talk with families about nutrition and healthy habits from day one.” She also provides fluoride treatments and counseling on alternative products such as hydroxyapatite for families interested in non-fluoride options.
Dr. Athari strongly recommends electric toothbrushes and parental supervision. “I still brush my own child’s teeth,” she says. “Kids try, but they don’t all do a thorough job on their own. Parents should stay involved as long as possible and based on a child's specific needs.” Other tips include:
- Use an electric toothbrush for better plaque removal.
- Help your child brush twice a day and floss once daily.
- Check that all areas, especially the back teeth and places where teeth are loose or growing in, are cleaned.
- Encourage variety in toothpaste choices and avoid overly abrasive or foaming pastes.
“The most important thing is consistency,” she adds. “As long as brushing and flossing are happening every day, you’re on the right track.”
At Smile Design Family Dentistry in Oak Cliff, Dr. Farnaz Athari and her team make every first visit a positive experience. From the age of six months through the teenage years, the focus is on comfort, prevention, and education, helping children build lifelong healthy habits in a caring, family-friendly environment.
No. Plenty of adults come back after a long gap, and we would rather see you now than have you keep putting it off. Your first visit is an exam, X-rays if they are needed, and a cleaning, and then Dr. Athari explains what she found in plain language. Nothing gets decided without you.
We go over your dental and medical history and anything you want us to look at, then Dr. Athari examines your teeth and gums, takes X-rays if they are needed, and gives you a professional cleaning. Before you leave she explains what she found and answers your questions. If she recommends treatment, she tells you why, so you can decide what is right for you. There is more on our adult dentistry page.
Tell us when you book. Feeling nervous about the dentist is common in adults and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. We offer gentle sedation options, including laughing gas, to keep you comfortable during treatment.
Every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Most of what we treat is easier to deal with when we catch it early, which is the point of coming in before anything hurts.
A toothache, a chipped tooth, a filling that has come out or a swollen gum needs to be seen rather than waited out. Call us and tell us what has happened, and we will fit you in as soon as we can. In the meantime, keep the area clean and go easy on very hot or very cold food and drink.
Yes, and that is what the change from Smile Design Kids to Smile Design Family Dentistry is about. Children and adults are both looked after here, often on the same trip, so you are not fitting two practices around one school run.
Payment is due on the day of treatment. We take cash and major credit cards, we do our best to estimate what your insurance covers and what you will owe on the day, and CareCredit financing is there if you would rather spread the cost.
