Each step of your childs life is important to you. From the time your child grows his or her first tooth, you want to protect their smile. Dr. Carolynn Wolff and her professional caring team specialize in childrens dentistry and put children (and their parents) at ease, taking the fear out of dental visits.
Dr. Wolff has been practicing pediatric dentistry for more than 20 years. She first attended Washington University and Washington University School of Dental Medicine. Upon graduating from dental school, Dr. Wolff attended a pediatric dental residency program in Louisville, Kentucky. She obtained her specialty training and advanced degree from the University of Louisville before returning to St. Louis. Dr. Wolff is passionate about making dental visits fun for kids of all ages.
Hobbies: Dr. Wolff is married and has two adult children. She loves to exercise, cook, bake bread and work in her garden. She enjoys the challenges of growing miniature orchids and seeing their tiny flowers blossom.. Dr. Wolff volunteers teaching childrens cooking classes and mentoring immigrant families.
Hobbies: Carrie lives on a farm and raises cows and pigs. She also loves to work outside in her vegetable garden. Carrie is married and has two children. Her son Andrew is in high school on the wrestling and football team. Carrie and her daughter Samantha enjoy exercising together.
(A:) A pediatric dentist has 2-3 years of specialized training after dental school in which they become board certified after taking a qualifying exam. A pediatric dental practice is limited to treating children from infancy through teenage years.
(A:) Primary teeth are templates for the permanent teeth. Some primary teeth may be in your mouth for over 10 years, so it is important to maintain their health and integrity. Decay in primary teeth can continue to grow if left untreated. Untreated decay can be painful, lead to infection and have harmful consequences on the permanent dentation!
(A:) The brand of the toothbrush is not nearly as critical to your childs dental care as the type of bristle and the size of the head. For children, a soft toothbrush with a small head is recommended. A small head allows them to get around each tooth more completely and is less likely to injure the gums. Medium and hard brushes tend to cause irritation and can contribute to recession of the gums. Dr. Wolff also recommends a rechargeable toothbrush made for children that makes brushing easier and provides a more thorough cleaning.
(A:) It is advised that patients one year of age and older use a toothpaste containing fluoride to supplement their daily intake of fluoridated tap water. We recommend toothpaste approved by the American Dental Association.
(A:) It is recommended that KIDS AND ADULTS floss once a day. This helps to keep gums healthy and prevent cavities from forming between the teeth. These are the hard to reach areas that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. A water flosser is a great adjunct to clean between teeth especially for children with braces.
(A:) While the U.S. Public Health Service issued a report in 1993 stating that there is no health reason not to use silver fillings (amalgam), more patients today are requesting white or tooth-colored composite resin fillings. Dr. Wolffs office uses tooth-colored fillings because they bond to the tooth structure, helping to strengthen a tooth that has been weakened by decay. In addition, they are more aesthetically appealing.