Why Choose Dr. Kemper

Frequently Asked Questions

About every 6 months, this goes for children especially in their early years because we’re building healthy dental habits and getting them familiar with going to the dentist.

A sealant is a material placed on the surfaces of permanent teeth to fill in the deep pits and fissures on these teeth to prevent food and liquid exposure and create a smooth surface that is easier to clean. These can significantly reduce the chance of tooth decay.

Generally speaking, all baby teeth need to be restored if cavities are present. Unless, the tooth is going to fall out within 6 to 9 months. However, this needs to be verified by your dentist using dental x-rays since there’s a wide variation when kids lose their teeth.

A rule of thumb is that we don’t generally start whitening teeth until a child has a full set of permanent teeth. If you begin too early and don’t bleach all of the teeth at the same time, you can end up with multiple shades of white at the same time.

I have been taking my children to Dr. Kemper for over 19 years. They are always kind, professional and efficient. The staff is caring and does a great job. My kids look forward to their dental appointments! Highly recommend this office!

- Jennifer Warren, Louisville, KY

Proper teeth cleaning by a Pediatric Dentist in Louisville, KY will ensure your child'd oral health.

It’s no secret that regular dental visits can help your child have a beautiful smile and establish good oral hygiene habits from an early age.

At William Kemper DMD in Louisville, KY, that is exactly our goal, happy kids and healthy teeth.

When it comes time for their routine teeth cleaning, it’s important for both the child and parent to know what to expect so there are no surprises which will help the child stay calm and focused.

When Should Kids Have a Dental Checkup?

If your child has teeth, they should be going to the dentist. As soon as that first little tooth starts to pop up, it’s time for the child’s first dentist appointment.

Many parents wonder how often they should have their teeth cleaned. All kids should visit the dentist by their first or second birthday. From there on out, all healthy children should visit the dentist every six months.

These early appointments are all about checking their teeth and gums, teeth cleaning, as well as getting used to going to the dentist. That way if and when they need more advanced care, they are already familiar with the dentist, the office, and the tools. 

During your child’s dental visit, Dr. Kemper will let you know when to schedule your next appointment based on the health of your child’s teeth.

Sometimes we recommend more-frequent visits depending on your child’s risk factors for oral health problems.

How To Prepare Your Child for A Visit to The Dentist

When it comes to any medical appointment, some kids experience extreme anxiety while others aren’t concerned about it at all.

Dr. Kemper and his staff in Louisville, KY take several measures to ensure the comfort and safety of your child during their teeth cleaning.

  • When you arrive at the office, you are greeted with a fun, child-friendly waiting room where the child is occupied until their appointment time. 
  • As you walk to the exam room, you’ll notice friendly staff, colorful rooms, and a kid-friendly atmosphere ready for your child’s teeth cleaning. 
  • We always include the child in their visit and speak to them in a calm, reassuring voice, explaining to them what is going to happen during their teeth cleaning in kid-friendly terms.

There are things parents can do at home to help ease their child before their teeth cleaning.

Before their first teeth cleaning, it's important to choose a Pediatric Dentist in Louisville, KY.

  • Before scheduling your child’s first dental exam, choose a pediatric dentist. Dr. Kemper works only with children and his entire office and staff cater to the tiniest patients. 
  • Carefully time your child’s visit. Choose a time of day when your child is rested, alert, and happy. Avoid scheduling your teeth cleaning right before naptime or meals when your child may be tired or hungry. 
  • Be positive. Explain what will happen during a teeth cleaning honestly, but there’s no need to include scary terms like “pain,” “shot” or “hurt.” You can explain the use of special tools and talk about your positive experiences with the dentist in the past.
  • Listen to your child and allow them to share anything they are worried about, give them reassurance and courage when going to the dentist. 

What Happens During a Pediatric Dental Exam

We are very open and honest about each step of the dental exam and teeth cleaning, so both parents and children know what to expect. The process for an exam is slightly different depending on the age of your child. 

Babies and Young Toddlers

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age 1
or within six months after the first tooth erupts.

For their first visit, parents are more than welcome to accompany their child to the exam room. Once the child is comfortable, we complete the following exam steps: 

  • Discuss your child’s oral hygiene and overall health including drinking and eating habits, pacifier use, thumb sucking, and risk of tooth decay
  • Remove stains or deposits on your child’s teeth by gently cleaning them with a wet toothbrush or wet cloth
  • Demonstrate proper teeth-cleaning techniques
  • If necessary, prescribe a fluoride supplement or apply a topical fluoride treatment to your child’s teeth
  • Look for sores or bumps on your child’s tongue, inside the cheeks, and on the roof of the mouth or signs of disease. 

We will only do what the child is comfortable with, and sometimes certain things may be skipped and completed at a future appointment, depending on the temperament of the child. 

Toddlers, school-age children, and adolescents

For older children who visit William Kemper DMD in Louisville, KY, parents are asked to remain in the waiting room while the child has their teeth cleaned.

This encourages the child to exhibit independence and makes them not rely on their parents.

In addition to everything we check for the babies, we also include additional steps to care for rapidly growing teeth including: 

  • Digital dental X-rays for diagnosis or to monitor normal growth.
  • Apply sealants to permanent molars and other back teeth susceptible to decay
  • Repair cavities or tooth defects
  • Look for possible problems due to thumb sucking, jaw clenching, nail-biting, overbite, or underbite. 
  • Check for pre-orthodontic treatment needs. 
  • Dr. Kemper or the hygienist might also discuss the possible removal of your child’s wisdom teeth (third molars) at the appropriate age, usually at age 16.

A Pediatric Dentist in Louisville, KY may recommend dental sealants at your child's next teeth cleaning.

If you have a specific concern regarding your child’s oral health, when to switch to regular toothpaste or the teeth cleaning process, let us know when you schedule the appointment or upon check-in.

After the exam, Dr. William Kemper will discuss your child’s appointment with you and discuss any concerns, preventative measures, or recommendations to improve and protect your child’s oral health.

Why Choose William Kemper as Your Child’s Pediatric Dentist

  • Unmatched Service: We’ve been treating kids’ smiles for over 36 years and we’ve got it down to a science. Dr. Kemper’s friendly approach and calming demeanor at every teeth cleaning is able to calm even the most timid child.
  • In-Office Sedation: We offer in-office sedation as a treatment option, which can save money and trauma in certain situations. Dr. Kemper is one of the only pediatric dentists in Louisville, KY that offers this for every patient if necessary. 
  • Emergency Dental Care: In addition to regular checkups and teeth cleaning, we are here to help you and your child through any dental trauma 24 hours a day. As your dentist, Dr. Kemper can recommend the best course of action without waiting for business hours. 
  • All-in-One Dentist: Dr. Kemper offers restorative treatments, oral surgery, and orthodontics in Louisville, KY. Whatever the future holds, we are here for your complete dental care in one stop.  

Happy Kids and Healthy Teeth

We love to help happy kids stay healthy and that is our number one goal. Whether you’re dealing with a simple teeth cleaning, or a dental emergency in Louisville, KY – give us a call. 

We treat our patients like family, encouraging good oral hygiene habits from an early age and monitoring your progress as you grow. 

At William Kemper DMD in Louisville, KY, our goal is happy kids and healthy teeth. Give us a call today.

Parent Trusted. Kid Approved.

Let your child & their smile grow up with Dr. Kemper.