Dr. Guthrie was born and raised in Oklahoma City where he graduated from Heritage Hall High School. He attended Harding University prior to receiving his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Oklahoma University College of Dentistry in Oklahoma City. He received his pediatric dental specialty training at Indiana University School of Dentistry in Indianapolis, Indiana and a Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD).
He has served as a past president of the Oklahoma Association of Pediatric Dentistry and is a past board member of the Oklahoma County Dental Society. He is a current member of the American Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Association, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, Oklahoma County Dental Society, and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Andrew Guthrie and our team love gaining the trust of a little one. With kindness and patience, we help each child feel in our office. When an anxious child finishes a visit feeling proud and, with spontaneous grins and hugs tells us they cant wait to come back, were thrilled!
Helping children grow up with bright smiles, and an excitement to maintain their oral health, is what were all about. We look forward to welcoming your young family members to our practice family, where we create lifetimes of happy, healthy smiles one child at a time!
Dr. Guthrie and our team members are professionals. We stay current on the latest improvements in pediatric dentistry through ongoing continuing education. This keeps up-to-date on the newest technologies, techniques, and materials, and we incorporate the best into your childs care.
Kid-Friendly Environment: Our office is a non-threatening and fun space that appeals to children. From colorful murals, educational activities, and video games to rewards for no-cavity visits, prizes and balloons, and special drawings, we keep kids excited to take care of their teeth!
Even better, Dr. Guthrie and our staff are great when it comes to helping kids feel at ease. Were often found crouched on the floor and trading jokes, talking about superheroes, or asking about a little ones latest adventure!
Many children feel uncomfortable in an unfamiliar environment. We take time to make the new space familiar, by giving them tours, showing the tools we use, and talking them through what will happen and what they will experience. This lessens anxiety and makes kids feel safe.
Family Education: It is important for parents and children to learn about oral health, the role it plays in overall wellness, and how to maintain healthy teeth and gums. Dr. Guthrie and our team offer lots of practical education, talking about nutrition, developing good habits, and how to establish a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles!
Congratulations on the arrival of your baby! Are you prepared for the arrival of your babys first tooth? Follow these guidelines and your son or daughter will be on the way to a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Even before your babys first tooth appears, the gums can benefit from your careful attention. After breast- or bottle-feeding, wrap one finger with a clean, damp washcloth or piece of gauze and gently rub it across your babys gum tissue. This practice both clears your little ones mouth of any fragments of food and begins the process for building good daily oral care habits.
When that first tooth makes an entrance, its time to upgrade to a baby toothbrush. There are usually two options: a long-handled toothbrush that you and your baby can hold at the same time, and a finger-puppet-like brush that fits over the tip of your pointer finger. In each case, the bristles are soft and few.
At this stage, toothpaste isnt necessary; just dip the brush in water before brushing. If your little one doesnt react well to the introduction of a toothbrush, dont give up. Switch back to a damp washcloth for a few months and try the toothbrush again. During the teething process, your child will want to chew on just about anything, and a baby toothbrush with a teether can become a favorite toy during this period.
When a few more teeth appear, you can start using toothpaste with your childs brush. At this stage, use only a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice). From the beginning, have your little one practice spitting the toothpaste out after brushing, which should not be swallowed at any age.
Dont give your baby any sort of sweetened liquids such as flavored drinks or soda. Even the sugars present in fruit juice, formula, and milk (this goes for breast milk as well) can cause decay, so regular teeth and gum cleaning is vital. Also, make sure your baby never goes to bed with a bottle; sugary liquids in prolonged contact with teeth are a guarantee for early-childhood decay, also called baby-bottle caries.
Its recommended that you bring your baby in for a visit within six months of the first tooths eruption usually around his or her first birthday. Since decay can occur in even the smallest of teeth, the earlier your baby visits us, the more likely he or she is to avoid problems. Well look for any signs of early problems with your babys oral heath, and check in with you about the best way to care for your little one's teeth. Remember that preparing for each dental visit with a positive attitude goes a long way toward making your child comfortable with regular checkups.
As part of the natural learning process, little ones are expert mimics, and you can take advantage of this talent. Brush and floss daily while your child is watching, and he or she will intuit at an early age the importance of your good habits. As soon as your child shows interest, offer a toothbrush of his or her own and encourage your toddler to brush with you. (Youll find toothbrushes with chunky, short handles that are easy to grip.) Most children dont have the dexterity necessary to thoroughly clean their own teeth until theyre about six or seven, so youll have to do that part of the job. Try different tactics to make brushing fun: flavored toothpaste, a toothbrush with a favorite character on it, or singing songs about brushing. The primary goal is to instill healthy oral habits at an early age to set your child up for a lifetime of healthy, cavity-free teeth!